Winning IR
Winning IR is a podcast exploring the diverse insights within the investor relations community. Join host Mark Fasken as he discusses the winning strategies, tactics, and shifts in thinking with innovative investor relations professionals who are redefining the profession. Each episode features a different challenge, innovation, or perspective on the ever-evolving role of investor relations, giving you real, actionable insight you can use to build a better investor relations program. Winning IR is hosted by Irwin, an investor relations and capital markets platform built on the belief that investor relations is a critical strategic component of a company's success. Companies...
S6E01: Brett Feldman from AT&T on The Real Job of Investor Relations: Aligning Perception With Reality
What does it take to run investor relations for one of the most recognized brands in America — a company that's been public for nearly 150 years, serves tens of millions of customers, and is under constant scrutiny from investors, regulators, and the public alike?Â
Today's guest, Brett Feldman, has the answer. As Senior Vice President — Investor Relations and Treasurer at AT&T, Brett oversees IR for a company with a market cap north of $175 billion and a retail investor base that makes up roughly a third of its shareholders — many of whom are also AT&T customers.Â
Brett...
S5E05: Jack Riehemann from Robinhood on What It Takes to Build Global Investor Relationships at Scale
In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Jack Riehemann, Head of International Investor Relations at Robinhood, to explore the company’s remarkable surge in international investor interest. Jack shares how Robinhood’s global mission, product expansion, and disciplined execution have attracted investors from Europe, Asia, and beyond—even as the company’s revenues remain largely US-based. He offers practical insights into building strong international investor relationships, understanding regional nuances, and structuring an IR team for global success. Â
Listen to the full episode to learn more about:Â
The key drivers behind Robinhood’s explosive in...S5E04: Craig Marks from Sandoz on Navigating International Investor Engagement in Today’s Globalized Financial Markets
In today's increasingly globalized financial markets, international investor engagement is more important than ever. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Craig Marks, Head of Investor Relations at Sandoz, to discuss the practical realities of planning and executing successful international roadshows. Drawing on two decades of experience across major pharma companies, Craig shares his hands-on insights for navigating logistics, targeting the right investors, and maximizing the impact of every meeting. Listen to the full episode to learn more about:Â
How to tailor outreach strategies for different regions and investor types The importance of detailed lo...S5E03: Damian Perry from Phoenix IR on Bridging Borders: Consulting on IR Across Regions
In today’s increasingly globalized investment landscape, North American companies are looking beyond domestic borders to grow their investor base. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken speaks with Damian Perry, co-founder of Phoenix IR, about the unique challenges and opportunities of investor relations across Europe. Damian shares his decades of experience advising North American companies on European corporate access strategies, highlighting what it takes to succeed in international markets and how independent firms like Phoenix IR offer a distinct advantage.Â
Listen to the full episode to learn more about:Â
The benefits of working with inde...S5E02: Salwa Gradl from du on Investor Relations in the Middle East: Attracting Global Capital Amid Vision 2031
In the rapidly evolving Middle Eastern capital markets, investor relations professionals face unique opportunities and challenges. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Salwa Gradl, Head of Investor Relations at du, to explore the current state of IR in the region and how global capital is being attracted amid ambitious national strategies like UAE Vision 2031.Â
Salwa shares her insights on building effective IR programs in a dynamic market, the impact of national transformation agendas, and the skills required to thrive as an IR leader in the Middle East. Listen to the full episode t...
S5E01: Karen Bodner from BNY on Telling Your Equity Story Across Borders: What Global Investors Want
In today's global investment landscape, a compelling equity narrative is essential for attracting international investors. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Karen Bodner of BNY to discuss findings from BNY's recent global investor study and what truly makes an equity story resonate across borders. Karen shares insights from interviews with 40 investors managing $2 trillion in assets, highlighting the elements that build credibility and drive investment decisions worldwide. Listen to the full episode to learn more about:Â
The must-have elements of an effective equity narrative for global investors Why clarity, simplicity, and segmentation are key to...Gregg Lampf, Fatma Sardina, and Krishna Rangarajan on The Role of AI in Modernizing Investor Relations
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S4E12: Danielle Collins from Shell on The Art of Investor Communications: Tailoring Strategies for Diverse Investor Bases
In today's complex energy sector, effective communication is crucial for investor relations professionals. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken speaks with Danielle Collins, Senior Investor Relations Director at Shell, about how to successfully communicate complex technical information to diverse investor audiences. Danielle shares her expertise in adapting communication strategies and building meaningful investor relationships.Â
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S4E11: Ken Goff from Vimeo on Video Innovation: Transforming IR Communications for the Digital Age
Video is transforming how companies communicate with investors and stakeholders. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Ken Goff, Head of IR at Vimeo, to explore the evolving role of video content in investor relations. Ken shares his journey from a traditional IR approach to embracing innovative digital communication methods, drawing from his experience at companies like Facebook, eBay, and now Vimeo.
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S4E10 - Inside the Acquisition: How Irwin's Vision Aligns with FactSet's Growth Strategy
In this special episode of Winning IR, co-founders Mark Fasken and David Whyte discuss Irwin's recent acquisition by FactSet and reflect on the company’s evolution from a startup addressing gaps in IR technology to becoming a leading player in the space. The conversation offers unique insights into the founding story, growth journey, and strategic rationale behind the acquisition. Listen to learn about:
The inspiration behind Irwin and how the company identified opportunities in the evolving IR landscapeKey milestones in Irwin's growth, from challenges to building relationships and product developmentThe strategic alignment between Irwin and FactSet developed through an...S4E09: Zane Keller from Affirm on The Investor's Perspective: Leveraging Buy-Side Experience in Investor Relations
About the Episode
In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Zane Keller, Head of Investor Relations at Affirm, to discuss how his decade-long experience as a buy-side investor in global financial services companies has shaped his approach to IR. Zane shares how his understanding of investor priorities has influenced his strategies for effective communication and engagement with the investment community. Listen to the full episode to learn more about:
Zane's career journey from the buy-side to leading investor relations at AffirmThe typical decision-making process on the buy-side and where IR...S4E08: Helene Dina from HD Strategies on Mastering Investor Days: Essential Strategies for Impactful Events
About this episode
Investor days are crucial events for companies to showcase their strategic vision and build trust with the investment community. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Helene Dina, President and Strategy Partner at HD Strategies, to discuss best practices for planning and executing impactful investor days. Helene shares her extensive experience in strategy, operations, and investor relations, offering practical and actionable advice for running best-in-class investor days. Listen to the full episode to learn more about:
The importance of investor days and what management aims to achieveKey...S4E07: Michaella Gallina from Wave on The Path to CFO: Leveraging IR Skills for Leadership Roles
About the episode
Your time as an IRO helps instill skills that can set you up for a successful transition into executive leadership. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Michaella Gallina, Chief Financial Officer at Wave, to discuss how her time in investor relations, investment banking, and on the buy-side helped to develop the necessary skills and position her to take on the role of CFO. Michaella shares how her time in IR and the ability to position companies to drive value helped her to become a strategic partner...
S4E06: Tiffany Willis from Starbucks on Owning the Narrative and Compelling Storytelling in IR
IR is about more than just numbers–what turns an IR program from good to great is the ability to transform the numbers into narrative. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Tiffany Willis, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations at Starbucks, to discuss the art of storytelling in investor relations. Tiffany shares insights from her extensive experience in IR and offers advice to IROs looking to build their storytelling abilities, successfully manage stakeholders, and become the bridge between corporates and The Street.
Listen to the full episode to learn more about:...
S4E05: Jeff Lambert from TiiCKER on Investing in Loyalty: The Business Case for Engaging Retail Investors
Retail investors are on the rise–both in volume and in assets, so how should IR teams approach their retail investor strategy? And should all public companies engage and mobilize their retail audience? In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Jeff Lambert, CEO and Founder of TiiCKER, an innovative software company that enables companies to engage, verify, and reward consumer shareholders. They discuss the importance of developing a well-thought-out retail investor strategy and the benefits it can bring, such as increased shareholder loyalty and consumer engagement.Â
Listen to the full episode to learn mor...
S4E4: Samantha Sandler from SpringWorks Therapeutics on Building an IR Program For Long-Term Success
We see a lot of discussions and questions about how to build an IR program from the ground up–especially one that is adaptive and built for long-term success. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Samantha Hilson Sandler, Head of Investor Relations at SpringWorks Therapeutics, about her experience building an IR program from the ground up. Samantha shares insights from her diverse background in healthcare and corporate investment banking and offers practical advice for new IROs on prioritization, investor targeting, and adapting strategies through the company’s transition from clinical to commercial stage.Â
...
S4E3: Andrew Storm from Delta Airlines on Shifting Investor Bias: How to Transform Perception and Attract Investment
Few industries experience the volume of existential events, personal biases, and complexities as the airline industry. Shifting bias, transforming the narrative, and thinking creatively for investor relations in these industries is paramount to successful IR. In today’s episode of Winning IR, Mark sits down with Andrew Storm, Managing Director of Investor Relations at Delta to discuss the challenges of navigating investor bias, using storytelling to reshape perceptions, and building strong and engaging relationships.Â
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Unpacking the challenges and biases against airlinesStrategies for changing investor perceptionsCreative tar...S4E2: Deborah Belevan from Duolingo on Leading the Duo-logue: A Mission-Led Approach to Investor Communications
With the ever-changing landscape of investor relations, having a mission-led corporate culture can drive more innovative and successful investor relations programs. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Deborah Belevan to discuss how the company’s dynamic and mission-driven culture has impacted its award-winning investor relations program. From earnings calls to shareholder letters, Deborah shares her best advice and experience for thinking differently and building stronger relationships.
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S4E1: Mark Hayes From Breakwater Strategy on How The Elevated IRO is Navigating The Future of IR
For IROs, it is more important than ever to understand strategic trajectory, market position, and risk management for their companies. In today’s episode, Mark Fasken sits down with Mark Hayes, Partner and Head of Capital Markets Advisory at Breakwater Strategy, to discuss the evolving role of the elevated IRO, the significance of collaboration across functions for effective IR. and how IR can use impact intelligence to customize approaches and gather relevant insights for decision-making and valuation.
Listen to the full episode to learn more about:
S3E10: Kiley Rawlins from Ulta Beauty on How to Effectively Prepare For and Manage Shareholder Activism
With shareholder activism rates continuing to rise and defense strategies becoming more complex, how can IR and management teams be better prepared for activist situations? In this episode of Winning IR, Kiley Rawlins, Vice President - Investor Relations at Ulta Beauty, draws on her 25 years of experience in IR and shares insights on activism readiness and how investor relations officers should prepare for and approach potential activist campaigns.
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S3E9: David Calusdian from Sharon Merrill on Effective Communication for IROs and Executives
While the content of your message has a large impact on how well your company is understood by investors and analysts, how you deliver your message can carry equal weight. In this week’s episode of Winning IR, Mark sits down with David Calusdian, President at Sharon Merrill Advisors. They discuss how developing your presence and communication skills can benefit IROs and Executives alike.
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S3E8: Jonathan Paterson from Harbor Access on Investor Targeting & Outreach Strategies for Small-Mid-Cap Companies
The Small-Mid-Cap landscape has changed drastically in recent years, and targeting is a key concern for companies looking to reduce stock volatility, build new relationships, and grow their company.
In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Jonathan Paterson to discuss how mid-cap companies can build effective targeting and outreach strategies.
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S3E7: Elizabeth Librizzi from AllianceBernstein on Demystifying Buy-Side Corporate Access
Over the last few years, IR teams are increasingly becoming more proactive with buy-side engagement due to regulatory requirements and an evolution in standard practices in corporate access. During this evolution, it's become clear that there is some mystery surrounding buy-side corporate access and how IRO’s can begin to leverage these teams to benefit their outreach and relationships. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken and Elizabeth Librizzi, Chief Administrative Officer for Equities at AllianceBernstein, sit down to discuss how buy-side corporate access can help corporates build long-term sustainable relationships.Â
Listen to the full epi...
S3E6: Catherine Buan from Asana on What IROs Need to Know About Going Public
Managing an IPO is, without a doubt, a career-making transaction for an IRO. On this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken and Catherine Buan, Investor Relations at Asana, discuss what IR practitioners who find or want to find themselves in the seat to lead a company through their go-public transition.Â
Catherine is an industry veteran and has managed IPOs for some of the biggest tech companies in the market, and she shares some really insightful advice from her years of experience.Â
Listen to the full episode to learn more about:Â
Setting the sta...S3E5: Patricia Cruz from Etsy on Building a Next-Generation IR Career
In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken and Patricia Cruz, Senior Manager, Investor Relations at Etsy, Inc, talk about her experience transitioning into an in-house role from a previous consulting career, and what it takes to be a next-generation IRO. Patricia shares her best advice for finding the path that will bring you the most success in your IR career, getting exposure and building your network, and ensuring you build the right skills to be successful in the long-term.Â
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In-house vs. consulting - what’s t...S3E4: Andrea Daley from Dentsply Sirona on Navigating IR Amidst Executive Transitions
IR is a busy and sometimes chaotic role at any public company. IR teams carry the weight of relationships that can impact a company's performance in the public markets, and managing, maintaining, and growing those relationships requires constant care. The role becomes even more critical when a company dominates the headlines.
In today’s episode, Mark Fasken sits down with Andrea Daley, Vice President of Investor Relations at Dentsply Sirona. In 2022, just one year into Andrea’s tenure in her first IR role, the company faced numerous executive transitions and challenging situations in the markets and the pres...
S3E3: Adam Borgatti from Aecon on How to Expand Your Scope of Responsibility as an IRO
One of the topics we often hear within the IR community is how to earn a seat at the strategic table. On this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken and Adam Borgatti, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations at Aecon Group, talk about what it takes to expand your scope of responsibility as an IRO, and how to take your leadership to the next level.Â
Adam has held multiple senior leadership positions in the finance industry. He is currently responsible for leading Aecon’s Investor Relations, Sustainability, Corporate Affairs, Corporate Communications and Marketing functions, as wel...
S3E2: Moira Conlon from Financial Profiles on Balancing Long-Term Value with Short-Term Success When Communicating With Investors
The earnings cycle can sometimes force a focus on communicating short-term results and strategies with the investment community. This can sometimes prevent issuers from sharing their companies' long-term vision and strategy effectively. So how can you ensure that your vision is understood?Â
In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken and Moira Conlon, Founder, and CEO of Financial Profiles, talk about balancing short-term success and reporting with creating and communicating a long-term, value-driven company story.Â
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Balancing short-term reporting and selling the long-term strategy of...S3E1: Kendra Brown from FactSet on How IR Can Become a Strategic Partner to the C-Suite
A foundational component to your success as an IRO is your ability to effectively build relationships and engage the C-Suite. This is no small task, as senior stakeholders tend to have varying priorities, appetites for information, and bandwidth. In today’s episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken and Kendra Brown sit down to discuss her twenty-four-year career at FactSet, what she brought to IR from her nearly two decades of experience in product management, and how to best become a trusted strategic resource to the C-Suite.Â
Listen to the full episode to learn more about:
L...S2E10 - Jordyn Eskijian from H&R Block on Aligning Purpose and Performance Through ESG
ESG remains high on the priority list for investor relations, but what does that mean to your everyday workflows? In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken and Jordyn Eskijian, Program Manager, Investor Relations & ESG at H&R Block, sit down to talk about aligning purpose and performance through ESG to add shareholder value and create positive impact..Â
Listen to the full episode to learn more about:
What motivated H&R Block to implement an ESG strategyThe platforms and frameworks to prioritizeAdapting your ESG strategy to respond to evolutions in the spaceThe biggest obstacles in managing a...S2E9 - Luke Wyse from Triumph Financial on The First 90 Days in a New IR Role
Starting a new role is stressful for any professional. It’s been proven that making a career change is one of your life’s most stressful events. With IR being such a critical function within a company, and with limited resources and increasing responsibility, the pressure to succeed and provide value early on is paramount.Â
In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken and Luke Wyse, Senior Vice President, Finance & Investor Relations at Triumph Financial, talk about the essential activities and strategies an IRO should focus on in their first 90 days in a new IR role.Â
List...
S2E8 - Megan McGrath from Cushman & Wakefield on How To Build Better Relationships With the Sell-Side
The sometimes adversarial nature between Corporate IR and the Sell-Side can result in some unknowns when it comes to building strong and mutually beneficial relationships between IROs and sell-side analysts. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Megan McGrath, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations at Cushman & Wakefield. Megan's insights are incredibly valuable for Investor Relations Officers who want to enhance their sell-side coverage. As someone who has worked in the sell-side industry, Megan's advice comes from a place of deep understanding. Having held key positions as an analyst and Director of Research at top...
S2E7: Alex Jorgensen From Prosek Partners on Ensuring You Have The Right Team to Go Public
In today’s episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Alex Jorgensen, Managing Director and Head of IR at Prosek Partners to talk all things IPO.Â
Navigating an initial public offering is no small feat, with many moving pieces and requirements to successfully launch a company into the public markets. Alex has advised on over 35 go-to-market transactions and shares his experience, best practices, and things to avoid.Â
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The team you need to go public, and their importance throughout the processThe importance of p...S2E6 - Chris Mayo from the London Stock Exchange Group on How to Expand Your Access to Capital
In today’s episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Chris Mayo, CFA, the Head of Primary Markets, Americas, at the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG).Â
As companies in North America continue to seek out capital in the public markets, expanding access to capital through an international listing can provide opportunities from some of the deepest pools of capital in the world.Â
Chris shares his advice for North American companies on listing strategies and what issuers need to know about accessing European investors.Â
Listen to the full episode to learn more...
S2E5 - Mary Turnbull from Raymond James on Successful Corporate Access as an IRO
In today’s episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Mary Turnbull, Managing Director, Corporate Access, Institutional Equity Sales at Raymond James.Â
With securing capital and building stronger relationships on the top of priority lists for issuers and IROs, Mary shares her best advice for IROs on navigating Corporate Access, how it works, and how to get more exposure to investors.Â
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How corporate access teams are structured and best practices for IR and corporate accessThe most valuable formats for IROs, management, and...S2E4 - Rodney Nelson from Twilio on the Importance of Deeply Understanding Your Shareholder Base
In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Rodney Nelson—VP of Investor Relations at Twilio (Director and Head Of Investor Relations of Qualtrics at the time of recording).Â
Rodney shares his expert perspective on why IROs should have a solid understanding of their investor base, the importance of conducting an investor analysis, and further insights on the evolution of a public company’s shareholder base.
Listen to the full episode to learn more about:
How a company’s investor base will change as they make the transition to a publi...S2E3 - Gene Rubin from Rivel on Everything You Need To Know About Perception Studies
In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Gene Rubin, President of Rivel—the largest global perception study provider—to discuss how companies can gain competitive advantages by utilizing research, insight, and distinctive communications.Â
Gene talks about the insights and value a perception study can provide, what point IRO’s should consider conducting one, the value of hiring an outside firm, and more insights from his 20-plus year tenure at Rivel.
In this episode, we cover:
What a perception study isThe events that may trigger a need...S2E2 - Scott Einberger From JLL on Investor Targeting in the Real World
In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Scott Einberger, Investor Relations Officer at JLL, to talk about how he approaches investor targeting and practical advice for IR teams looking to attract new investors.
Scott shares his best advice and tips on building, prioritizing, and measuring his investor targeting efforts, and what advice IROs need to know when it comes to effective investor outreach and relationship building.Â
In this episode, we cover:
How to build and prioritize a targeting listIn-house investor targeting vs. third partyHow much time investor targeting s...S2E1 - Rebecca Gardy From Campbell Soup Company on The IRO's Blueprint For Leading Through Influence
In this new episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Rebecca Gardy, Senior Vice President and Chief Investor Relations Officer at Campbell Soup Company, to talk about how to lead through influence and foster stronger relationships with external and internal stakeholders.Â
Rebecca talks about the three most important skills for a successful IRO, the importance of trusted relationships between IR and internal stakeholders that create value for the whole organization, how IROs can build the skills needed to grow, and more insights from her extensive career in finance and communications.Â
In this ep...
S1E10 - Building a Strong Support System: The Power of Community in Investor Relations With Matt Brusch, NIRI
This episode of Winning IR explores the value and necessity in building a network of fellow investor relations professionals. Matt Brusch, President and and CEO at NIRI (National Investor Relations Institute in the USA) joins Mark Fasken to share his perspective on the uniqueness of the investor relations function and the importance of being able to connect with and learn from your peers.Â
Listen to the episode or read the transcript to learn more about:
What are the challenges of learning investor relations? What characteristics and talents do IR professionals have in common?How do professional as...
