IR Magazine

IR Magazine Forum – Equality in IR
Bridging the gap in pay, skillset and diversity

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Virtual event: Available on replay

About the forum

Our sixth annual Equality in IR forum was back again by popular demand! The event is part of our global initiative to create a level playing field for excellence in the IR community. With the help of expert speakers and those leading the charge at public companies, the event included practical advice on:

  • how to navigate the transition back to being on the road as a post-pandemic IRO with children
  • how public companies can set DE&I targets and build a more inclusive investor relations community
  • how the role of an IRO has now evolved, the new skills required and bridging the widening gender pay gap
  • how to negotiate new responsibilities and move up, routes into and out of the IR profession

 

Attendees joined us at the event to:

  • Hear from leaders at public companies on expectations from IR and set DE&I goals for the IR community
  • Learn from successful heads of IR about the various paths into IR, bridging the skills and pay gap
  • Have one-on-one meetings with fellow IR professionals to build their network

AN INTERACTIVE, VIRTUAL EXPERIENCE

This event will took as a virtual experience using our bespoke, cutting-edge technology.

Our virtual event platform closely replicates attending in-person by facilitating interaction with speakers and one-to-one networking with fellow IR professionals. Going virtual helps you connect with a wider network from the comfort of your desk.


NIRI IRC® CREDENTIAL

Holders of the NIRI IRC® credential can earn up to 4 professional development units (PDUs) per day. IRC-credentialed speakers may also earn PDUs. More information is available at www.niri.org/certification.

Agenda and schedule

  • 16:45 PM
    Opening remarks: Why we continue talking about equality in the IR community

    We all know what the issues are. However, we also know it takes a long time to affect change. Based on the statistics from IR Magazine’s latest Global IR Salary and Careers Report, hear what factors generally lead to gender disparity in IR, what we, as a community, can recognize and counter in your teams, and a statistical breakdown of diversity in the IR role. To what extent is diversity an issue?

    Tim Human, senior reporter, IR Magazine

  • 17:00 PM
    The bigger picture: Role of the company in promoting diversity within the IR profession

    • What is the most effective thing a company can do as we come out of the pandemic to build a more inclusive team?
    • How do we raise the profile of women and minority leaders beyond middle management and ensure compensation equity across the organization?
    • Do diversity targets help or hinder progress? Did the quotas on boards have the unintended consequences of ousting women from executive committees?
    • More than a tick box exercise: What type of DE&I metrics help benchmark progress and achieve the intended outcomes?
    • What kind of mid and long-term DE&I goals should companies look to beyond gender diversity? What steps can we take to best achieve these goals?
    • How to best educate C-suite at traditionally less diverse companies that it is crucial to affect change?
    • What is considered an appropriate balance when companies share their DE&I efforts and successes on social media?
    • What is the one thing companies can do today to affect change for equity and inclusion?

    Moderator: Ripa Rashid, head of inclusion and diversity, Cowen Inc
    Margeaux Bruner, director of ESG & DEI, Trulieve
    Robert Nuzzo, chief operating officer, fundamental active equity investing, BlackRock
    James Wong, head of corporate access origination, Millennium Management

  • 18:00 PM
    The role of an IRO: Bridging the gaps in skillset, pay and career advancement

    • What are the top three challenges for IROs coming out of the pandemic? Is the role evolving to become head of corporate responsibility? What is the strategic place of IR?
    • Best practices for balancing work and family – Reconciling being back to an ‘on the road’ office environment while managing a remote team and childcare responsibilities
    • How does an IRO’s past role impact their current pay, skillset and career advancement?
    • For IROs coming in from the sell-side or investment IR, how can they best adapt their strengths to the new role? How can IROs differentiate themselves from sell-side analysts?
    • What are the top skills needed for an IRO as we come out of the pandemic? What are you missing? How can you build your social media brand to reflect that you are a next-gen IRO?
    • Tips to negotiate pay increases in the current climate – What responsibilities determine pay in IR? How do you know when it is the right time to move jobs for higher compensation?
    • What is the one thing IROs can do today to affect change for equity and inclusion?

    Moderator: Tim Human, senior reporter, IR Magazine
    Ilene Fiszel Bieler, EVP, global head of investor relations, State Street Corporation
    Carolynne Borders, senior executive, investor relations, GE
    Susan (Susie) Lisa, former senior vice president of investor relations, CVS Health
    Melissa Plaisance, SVP of IR, treasury and risk management, Albertsons Companies

  • 18:45 PM
    Closing remarks

    Smooch Repovich Rosenberg, CEO, Smooch Unplugged

  • 19:00 PM
    End of event

Speakers for 2022


What our attendees say

"It was excellent.... truthful... with some important information shared. It was also well-run."

Schneider

"[I liked that there was] speakers with different backgrounds who showed their opinions.
"

Lambert

"Very open, candid and engaging sessions as well as advice on how to handle issues and situations going forward."

EAMES WYATT | IMCRON BV

"Panelists were top notch. Well-versed on the topics, very forthright and clear."

Proteus Capital

"Amazing event and great speakers."

Nucleus195

"Subject matter was spot on; panelists were knowledgeable. Networking and mentorship sessions were impactful."

Telsey Advisory Group

Who attends our events

Our attendees are leading IR practitioners with an established track record and strategic IR role within their company.

Below is a sample of some of our past attendees:

Job title Company Job title Company
Associate director, advisory services Nasdaq Head, Governance Services Nasdaq
Associate partner Buchanan Head, investor relations Minerals Technologies
CCO & head, investor relations Avon Head, investor relations Moody’s Corporation
Co-head of client relations Orient Capital Head, investor relations Mylan
Director Powerscourt Group Managing director FTI Consulting
Director, head of investor relations Peel Hunt Managing partner Instinctif Partners
Director, investor relations Conduent Partner Instinctif Partners
Director, investor relations – ESG Lloyds Banking Group Partner Taylor Bennett
Director, investor relations & corporate communications Anterix Senior vice president Formerly Fifth Third Bancorp
Executive creative director five corporate reporting & consulting Vice president J.P. Morgan
Executive director, Europe & Asia Rivel Research Group VP, business development Tronox
Executive director, investor relations Celgene VP, investor relations Etsy
Executive vice president & CFO Fortis VP, investor relations Fortis
Head of IR Barratt Developments VP, investor relations Nielsen
Head of IR ADLER Real Estate VP, investor relations Tradeweb


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