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Executive IQ® by Money Management Institute Wins Four Brandon Hall Group™ Awards in Leadership and Professional Development

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Third consecutive year of recognition highlights the program’s innovative approach to leadership excellence

NEW YORK, Sept. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Money Management Institute (MMI) is thrilled to announce that its Executive IQ® program has been awarded four prestigious Brandon Hall Group™ HCM Excellence Awards® for 2024. These awards recognize best practices for initiatives in Learning and Development, Talent Management, Leadership Development, Talent Acquisition, Human Resources, Sales Performance, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and the Future of Work. This marks the third consecutive year Executive IQ has received top honors from the organization, underscoring the program’s continued leadership in professional development and executive education.

Executive IQ earned the following distinctions:

Gold in Best Unique or Innovative Leadership ProgramGold in Best Executive Development ProgramGold in Best Association Professional Development ProgramSilver in Best Leadership Development Program

Entries were evaluated by a panel of veteran, independent senior industry experts, Brandon Hall Group™ analysts, and executives based on these criteria: alignment to their business need and environment; program design, functionality, and delivery; adoption, integration, user experience, innovation, and creativity; and overall effectiveness, impact, and measurable benefits.

“Our award recipients demonstrate an unwavering commitment to excellence in human capital management,” said Brandon Hall Group™ Chief Executive Officer Mike Cooke. “This year, we’ve witnessed some of the most groundbreaking applications of HCM strategies in our organization’s history. Many of these innovations leverage cutting-edge technologies and foster unprecedented levels of cross-functional collaboration, resulting in remarkable improvements in operational efficiency and employee engagement.”

Now in its fourth year, Executive IQ was developed in collaboration with the University of Virginia Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning (EELL), PwC, and Microsoft. The program is an executive-level accelerator designed to prepare senior investment professionals for leadership in a rapidly evolving financial services landscape.

“For leaders and our industry to thrive, it’s crucial to continuously upskill and embrace disruption as an opportunity for growth and reinvention,” said Tim Williams, Director of Education Initiatives for MMI and Program Director for Executive IQ. “The dedication to leadership and innovation that defines the Executive IQ program is once again validated through these awards. We are proud to provide a program that not only cultivates senior executives but does so in collaboration with world-class partners.”

Last year, the program won three gold awards for Best Advance in Executive Development, Best Association Professional Development, and Best Advance in Learning Management Technology for External Training in addition to one silver award for Best Advance in Leadership Development. The awards will be formally presented at the Brandon Hall Group™ HCM Excellence Conference, taking place January 28-30, 2025, in West Palm Beach, Florida, where select winners will also share their success stories as part of the event’s program.

“We are so pleased and proud that our partnership program with MMI, Executive IQ, has been recognized for a third year in a row,” said Devin Bigoness, Executive Director and Chief Client Officer for UVA Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning. “With a rapidly growing community of senior financial leaders coming through the program since its inception, we’ve been excited to see how they’ve embraced a growth mindset to enhance their agility and decision making, to help their organizations innovate in the fast-changing world. Now in its fourth cohort, Executive IQ is a must-have for industry leaders in the rapidly evolving industry that want to continue to be lifelong learners.”

About Executive IQ®: Executive IQ is an executive-level professional accelerator for senior investment leaders (with a minimum of 10-15 years of experience) looking to advance their careers and their organizations. This 12-month certification program combines a university-backed curriculum with real-world case studies from the industry’s most prestigious consultants and Fortune 500 companies. Designed for tomorrow, Executive IQ helps transform experienced decision-makers into industry innovators, able to turn challenge into opportunity. Participants gain not just the tools they need to lead and grow their organizations, but the chance to build executive-level networks they can count on for life. For more information, visit https://www.mminst.org/executive-iq-introduction

About the Money Management Institute (MMI): Established in 1997, the Money Management Institute (MMI) is the industry association representing financial services firms that provide financial advice and investment advisory solutions to investors. Through conferences, educational resources, and thought leadership, MMI facilitates peer-to-peer connections, fosters industry knowledge and professionalism, and supports the development of the next generation of industry leadership. MMI member firms are dedicated to helping individual and institutional investors, at every level of assets, plan for and fulfill their financial goals. For more information, visit www.MMInst.org

About University of Virginia Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning: Darden Executive Education & Lifelong Learning (EELL) is a top-ranked, global provider of executive development. Delivered by the University of Virginia Darden School Foundation and taught by the Darden School of Business’ world-renowned faculty, Darden EELL prepares and inspires leaders to succeed in a global marketplace. Offering more than 25 open programs and partnering with leading organizations worldwide to develop custom business solutions, we provide personalized, transformational learning experiences at our location in Charlottesville, Virginia, in the Washington, D.C., area and online. Darden shapes the way the world does business through our research and draws upon our collective knowledge and experience to cultivate responsible, innovative leaders. For more information, visit https://www.darden.virginia.edu/executive-education

About Brandon Hall Group™: Brandon Hall Group™ is the only professional development company that offers data, research, insights and certification to Learning and Talent executives and organizations. The best minds in Human Capital Management (HCM) choose Brandon Hall Group™ to help them create future-proof employee development plans for the new era.

For over 30 years, we have empowered, recognized and certified excellence in organizations worldwide, influencing the development of over 10 million employees and executives. Our HCM Excellence Awards® program was the first to recognize organizations for learning and talent and is the gold standard, known as the “Academy Awards of Human Capital Management.”

The awards recognize the best organizations that have successfully developed and deployed programs, strategies, modalities, processes, systems and tools that have achieved measurable results. We are honored to receive applications from organizations worldwide ranging from small, medium, large and global enterprises to government, not-for-profits and associations.

Contacts:
Elizabeth Shim
Haven Tower Group
424.317.4861
eshim@haventower.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/executive-iq-by-money-management-institute-wins-four-brandon-hall-group-awards-in-leadership-and-professional-development-302251350.html

SOURCE Money Management Institute

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ImageTrend CFO John Wolfenden Accepted Into Forbes Finance Council

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Invitation-only professional community selects finance leader based on the depth and diversity of his experience 

EAGAN, Minn., July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ImageTrend, the leading provider of software and AI intelligence for emergency response, healthcare and public safety organizations, today announced that Chief Financial Officer John Wolfenden has been accepted into the Forbes Finance Council.

The Forbes Finance Council brings together executives, investors, and market operators who help shape how capital is allocated, managed, and protected in increasingly complex environments. The invitation-only members are vetted by a selection process that evaluates professional experience, leadership, and industry expertise. 

Wolfenden was selected following a review of his experience as CFO of multiple software companies and his track record of strengthening financial operations, improving business processes and supporting growth. At ImageTrend, he leads the finance function and serves as a strategic partner across the business as the company advances its AI-powered platform and supports more than 11,000 agencies. 

Recognized Finance Leadership 

Across his CFO roles, Wolfenden has focused on operational improvement, business growth and building finance functions that serve as strategic partners across the organization. At ImageTrend, he plays a critical role in the executive leadership team, overseeing financial strategy and operations and helping the company build the scalable foundation required for long-term growth. 

“John’s impact at ImageTrend goes well beyond the finance function,” said Joe Graw, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Growth Officer. “He brings financial discipline, commercial perspective and a roll-up-your-sleeves approach to the decisions that shape how we grow and serve our customers. His selection for Forbes Finance Council is well deserved and gives him a valuable platform to share that expertise with other finance leaders.” 

Contributing to a Selective Finance Community 

As a council member, Wolfenden will join a curated peer community and have opportunities to work with an editorial team to share expert insights in original articles and contribute to Expert Panels on Forbes.com. He plans to share lessons from scaling software organizations and strengthening finance operations. 

“I am honored to have been selected to join Forbes Finance Council,” said Wolfenden. “I look forward to exchanging ideas with other finance leaders and learning from their experiences. I have always believed that finance should work closely with every part of the business, helping teams solve problems and make sound decisions. I am excited to bring what I learn back to ImageTrend as we continue improving how we operate and supporting the company’s growth.” 

For more information about ImageTrend, visit www.imagetrend.com.

About ImageTrend 

ImageTrend helps emergency response teams who struggle with documentation overload by giving them one AI-powered operating system so they can command with confidence and protect more lives with better decisions. 

Founded in 1998, the company serves more than 11,000 agencies in the United States, Canada and United Arab Emirates across Fire, Emergency Medical Services, and Hospital segments. With its deep industry knowledge and advanced data analytics capabilities, the software provider helps its customers streamline operations, shape long-term strategies, and dramatically improve outcomes. Its AI-embedded product solutions and dedicated team provide the intelligence and confidence that first responders need to tackle today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s uncertainties.

About Forbes Councils 

Forbes Councils is a collective of invitation-only communities created in partnership with Forbes and the expert community builders who founded Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). In Forbes Councils, exceptional business owners and leaders come together with the people and resources that can help them thrive.

To learn more about Forbes Councils, visit https://councils.forbes.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/imagetrend-cfo-john-wolfenden-accepted-into-forbes-finance-council-302834360.html

SOURCE ImageTrend LLC

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Okuma America Corporation to Exhibit at IMTS 2026 with Comprehensive Lineup

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Newly Designed Machines, Open-architecture CNC Control, Multiple Automation Systems, Intelligent Technologies, World-Class Services, Sustainable Initiatives, & More to be Featured

CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The leadership team at Okuma America Corporation, a global leader and single-source builder of computer numeric control (CNC) machine tools, controls, and automation systems, is excited to announce the company’s exhibition plans for the 2026 International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) to be held in Chicago, Illinois, from September 14 to 19, 2026.

Within its 17,000 square-foot booth, the company plans to showcase a comprehensive offering for the metalworking industry featuring new CNC machine tools, an industry-leading CNC control, a robust line of automation systems, intelligent manufacturing technologies, new world-class services, and more. Okuma America Corporation will host a media event in the South Hall (Booth #338500) on Tuesday, September 15 at 2:00 pm to highlight the company’s IMTS offerings, share insights from the Okuma leadership team, and showcase latest technologies during booth tours.

New & Notable

Four CNC Machines to Make Americas Debut
Of the 11 CNC machine tools Okuma will exhibit at IMTS 2026, four will make their debut in the Americas:

NEW – Okuma MB-100V Vertical Machining CenterNEW – Okuma GENOS M4000H-e Horizontal Machining CenterNEW – Okuma MS-320H Horizontal Machining CenterNEW – Okuma MULTUS U1000 Multitasking Lathe

Okuma Factory Automation and Peripherals
Okuma will present a comprehensive lineup of automation systems developed by the Okuma Factory Automation (OFA) Group, along with best-in-class solutions from its industry partners, all of which seamlessly integrate with Okuma machines. Leading the charge on automation innovation, Okuma is partnering with Intrinsic AI to display an AI automation robot cell. The company is pleased to announce that 9 of its 11 IMTS 2026 CNC machine tools will be paired with automation systems, including three solutions making their debut in the Americas:

NEXT GENERATION – Okuma Robot Loader (ORL) Series Enhancements & Additions – easy-to-integrate robotic systems designed to load and unload workpieces from machinesOkuma Robot Loader Drawer II (ORL-D II)Okuma Robot Loader for Machining Centers (ORL-MC II) with palletOkuma Robot Loader Plus with Pallet (ORL+) – a system designed to perform multiple functionsNEW – Okuma Tower Pallet Changer – vertical, two-level pallet changer with 13-pallet capacityNEW – Modular Automatic Tool Changer

NEW Virtual Reality Experience
Okuma will provide IMTS 2026 attendees with the opportunity to explore various Okuma machine models in a virtual reality environment. A dedicated area within the Okuma booth (booth #338500) will be available for participants to wear a virtual reality headset to view, walk around, and interact with a virtual 3D model of various Okuma CNC machine tools. This includes models beyond what is physically being exhibited within the booth, such as the MCR-A5CII double column machining center.

NEW Explore the Okuma Global Repair Center
Okuma is thrilled to share details of its newly constructed Global Repair Center at its headquarters campus in Charlotte, NC. The 35,000 square-foot facility brings mechanical and electrical repair, component exchange, upgrades, and legacy part fabrication together in a new, state-of-the-art building that is four times larger than previous dedicated space. Backed by advanced inspection, testing, CNC simulation, and thousands of ready-to-ship parts, the facility maximizes uptime, safeguards Okuma users’ investment, and reinforces Okuma’s promise to Passionately Pursue a Customer for Life. Booth visitors may explore the new facility via a 3D-printed model and watch a video of the facility’s impressive operations.

NEW Tribute to America 250
Okuma is pleased to recognize and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America with several tributes within its booth experience. Booth visitors can see an intricately-crafted Bald Eagle which is being created on the Okuma MU-8000V vertical machining center. Additionally, the company will also reward attendees who complete an in-booth survey with an exclusive baseball hat that features an American flag design element. Also, the GENOS M4000H-e horizontal machining center, which will be making its Americas Debut, will feature a one-of-a-kind patriotic graphics theme, produced by the company’s NASCAR partner, Richard Childress Racing.

Okuma Machine Featured in Partner Booth
Okuma is proud to partner with 50+ companies in the manufacturing industry through our Partners in Technology program, many who will be featured in demonstrations throughout the Okuma booth. Several program members are also exhibiting at IMTS 2026, including Air Turbine Tool. They will feature an Okuma GENOS M560-V vertical machining center in working display at their booth (#431645).

Comprehensive Technology Lineup

Okuma will showcase 11 CNC machine tools at the show, representing a wide range of the company’s vast product lines. Among these are four new products making their Americas debut. Additionally, ten unique automation systems will be on display, including three proprietary innovations from Okuma Factory Automation. The distinctive OSP-P500 control system will be featured on 9 of the 11 CNC machines in the booth, as well as on free-standing interactive simulators. Okuma will also highlight key components of its world-class service and support program.

Okuma’s complete IMTS 2026 machine, control, and automation lineup includes:

Okuma Machining Centers

 Paired Automation System

GENOS M4000H-e – NEW

 Internal Two-Station Automatic Pallet Changer (APC)

MB-100V – NEW

MB-5000HII

 Okuma Tower Pallet Changer

MS-320H – NEW

 Okuma Robot Loader Drawer II (ORL-D II)

MU-8000V

 Modular Automation Cell

GENOS M460V-5AX (5-axis)

Okuma Robot Loader Machining Center II (ORL-MC II) & Modular Automatic Tool Changer (ATC)

Lathes

 Paired Automation System

LB2000 EX III MYW

 Okuma Robot Loader Plus with pallet (ORL+)

LT2000 EX 3T3MY

 Okuma NC Unloader and LNS Bar Feeder

LU3000 EX

 Okuma Gantry Loader (OGL)

Multitasking Lathes

 Paired Automation System

MULTUS U1000 – NEW

Grinder

Paired Automation System

GA26W

Okuma Robot Loader Plus with pallet (ORL+)

Other Highlights

Okuma Speaking & Media Engagements
There will be multiple opportunities for show visitors to attend speaking engagements led by Okuma executive leadership and experts, including:

Okuma Press Conference on Tuesday, 9/15 at 2 PM CST, located in the Virtual Reality section of Okuma Booth (booth #338500)Simon Schneider, Director of Okuma Factory Automation, to present “The Automation Impact: Short-Term Wins to Long-Term Transformations” at Room W192-C on Tuesday, 9/15 at 2:15 CSTWade Andersion, Vice President of Engineering and Okuma Factory Automation, to present at the Blaser Swisslube Booth (booth #431228) on Tuesday 9/15 at 3 PM CST

Okuma is pleased to partner with a variety of manufacturing trade publications for scheduled media engagement and filming sessions throughout IMTS 2026. This includes outlets such as Practical Machinist, MTD CNC, Modern Machine Shop, and more.

Sustainability Initiatives
At Okuma, we’re working together to build a better machine tool and a better future. Okuma CNC machines are equipped with Okuma’s “Green Smart Machine” technology, a series of combined technologies that harmonize high-performance machining with intelligent energy management controls. Specifically, these technologies include Okuma’s proprietary ECO suite plus and Thermo-Friendly Concept, both of which will be displayed at IMTS 2026.

Okuma Best-in-Class Distributor Network
In support of Okuma’s mission of ‘Passionately Pursuing a Customer for Life’, Okuma has created strategic relationships with best-in-class distributorships to support customer needs within their local regions of operation. Representatives from each of Okuma’s distributors will be onsite at IMTS 2026.

Okuma Partners in Technology
Okuma’s Partners in Technology network brings together 50+ companies that represent best-in-class manufacturing solutions and technologies that pair perfectly with Okuma CNC machine tools.

For more information on Okuma’s IMTS offering, visit www.okuma.com/imts.

About Okuma America Corporation
Okuma America Corporation is the U.S.-based sales, marketing, engineering, and service affiliate of Okuma Corporation, a world-leading builder of CNC (computer numeric control) machine tools, controls, and automation systems. The company was founded in 1898 in Nagoya, Japan, and is the industry’s only single-source provider of CNC machines, drives, motors, encoders, spindles, and automation systems, all manufactured by Okuma. The company designs its own CNC controls to integrate seamlessly with each machine tool’s functionality. In 2014 Okuma launched the Okuma App Store, the industry’s only centralized online marketplace for machine tool apps and related content at that time. Along with its extensive distribution network (largest in the Americas), and Partners in Technology network of enhanced manufacturing technologies, Okuma is committed to helping users gain competitive advantage through the open possibilities of machine tools today and into the future. For more information, visit Okuma.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/okuma-america-corporation-to-exhibit-at-imts-2026-with-comprehensive-lineup-302834361.html

SOURCE Okuma America Corporation

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TrendAI™ Adopts Claude Opus 5 to Advance Vulnerability Prioritization, Assessment, and Virtual Patching

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As a participant in Anthropic’s Cyber Verification Program, TrendAI applies frontier reasoning to convert vulnerability intelligence into faster protection across hybrid environments

DALLAS, July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — TrendAI™, the enterprise AI security leader from Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704), today announced it is adopting Claude Opus 5, Anthropic’s latest and most capable Opus model, to help security teams convert vulnerability intelligence into immediate protection, from prioritization and assessment through to virtual patching. The move builds on TrendAI’s collaboration with Anthropic on Claude Opus 4.8, extending the same defensive focus to a model that delivers step-change gains in advanced reasoning, agentic workflows, and long-horizon analysis. As AI makes finding vulnerabilities easier than ever, the harder problem becomes protecting organizations faster than software can be permanently patched, and that is where TrendAI is putting Opus 5 to work.

As a participant in Anthropic’s Cyber Verification Program, which credentials organizations for the defensive use of frontier AI models, TrendAI is positioned to apply Claude Opus 5 to defensive security as access becomes available. The model is Zero Data Retention compatible, supporting TrendAI’s governance and data-protection requirements as it scales AI across security operations.

Rachel Jin, Chief Platform and Business Officer, Head of TrendAI™:
“With Claude Opus 5, TrendAI can move from vulnerability intelligence to action faster than ever, prioritizing what matters most by exploitability and business impact. Finding the vulnerability was always the hard part. Now the challenge is protecting organizations faster than software can be permanently patched, and frontier reasoning is what changes that equation, extending all the way to virtual patching that protects customers before a vendor fix ships. This is what it means to secure the AI age, fearlessly.”

These capabilities support TrendAI Vision One™ in helping security analysts, AppSec teams, and SOC teams prioritize exposure, map attack paths, and accelerate mitigation, including virtual patching, across hybrid environments, moving vulnerability management from a static scanning process into a faster, context-aware risk mitigation workflow.

About TrendAI™
TrendAI™, the global AI security leader and enterprise business unit of Trend Micro, empowers organizations with full AI visibility and consolidated security that inspires confidence, drives innovation, and eliminates risk. Trusted by the largest enterprises and governments across 185 countries, TrendAI™ secures the entire organization, from identities, to infrastructure, to data. Global Fortune 500 companies rely on TrendAI™ to cut risk and stop threats up to three months earlier, powered by world-leading threat and attack intelligence. Through deep ecosystem partnerships with market leaders like NVIDIA, Anthropic, AWS, Google, and Microsoft, TrendAI™ empowers your organization to securely drive forward at the speed of AI. AI Fearlessly. Learn more: trendaisecurity.com

About Anthropic
Anthropic is an AI safety and research company dedicated to building reliable, interpretable, and steerable AI systems. Its Claude family of models, including Claude Opus 5, enables advanced capabilities across a wide range of applications, including code understanding and security analysis.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/trendai-adopts-claude-opus-5-to-advance-vulnerability-prioritization-assessment-and-virtual-patching-302834362.html

SOURCE TrendAI

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