NIRI NOW N
NIRI Recognizes New Investor Relations Charter (IRC)©
IRI recognizes 15 new Investor Relations Charter (IRC)© holders who earned their IRC credentials in 2022.
Tis group was the first to earn their credentials
using the new online platform for IRC examinations. Tis system of taking exams with live remote proctor- ing (LRP) online and on demand was introduced in March 2022. Appointments are available year-round in the United States and around the globe. The IRC continues to be the main route for in-
IN MEMORIAM Holders
The new IRC credential-holders include:
vestor relations professionals to demonstrate their knowledge and skills. Te IRC certification attests (1) to an IR professional’s fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the core tenets of investor relations and (2) to verify the professional’s ability to apply the underlying principles and synthesize the strategic concepts related to the practice of investor relations. Some IRC credential-holders share positive reviews about earning the IRC. “I have been very impressed with the practicality of the curriculum or body of
Andrew Bell, IRC Robert Brinberg, IRC Hui-Shan Chen, IRC Alexandra Durkee, IRC Richard Fowler, IRC Cheng Hsing Gau, IRC Mark Kratz, IRC Robert McDonald, IRC Evan Pondel, IRC Ana Romelashvili, IRC Tsai Teddy, IRC Brandon Throop, IRC Laurence Watts, IRC Luana Wolk, IRC Wenjun Xu, IRC
knowledge that is part of the certification process. Being a senior practitioner, I found the content to be very relevant in our day-to-day work,” says Raj Mehan, IRC, Vice President Finance & Treasurer, Capital Management Group, Steelcase Inc. “For those on the fence about renewing their IRC, I would just say that I have a variety of certifications, but this is the only one that I renew because I believe the renewal program forces me to keep knowledge base current and relevant—especially in an area that is rapidly changing.” “Te IRC has been a valuable learning experience for me, and an excellent resource
for junior members of the team and other qualified professionals who may ‘rotate’ through investor relations for exposure,” says Christian Pikul, CFA, IRC, Vice Presi- dent of Investor Relations and FP&A, Murphy USA Inc. “Tis achievement has been acknowledged by senior leadership and the board of directors as a commitment to lifetime learning. I am also able to leverage key IR concepts and messages embodied in the IRC competency framework to inform and educate the executive leadership team at our offsite meetings. I recommend the IRC program to anyone who wants to earn some recognition and add more value to the role at the company you represent.” “Te IRC is well worth the investment in time and effort because of its strong
alignment to the profession, both in terms of practice and engagement,” says Chris Symanoskie, IRC, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Rela- tions, Atomic Biometrics. “Earning the IRC designation had a profound impact on my career and significantly elevated my visibility within the financial community. My company’s management team and board of directors were very pleased that I had obtained the IRC Charter and they rewarded me for the effort." To learn more about the Investor Relations Charter (IRC)®, visit
www.niri.org/certification.
8 WI N T E R 2 0 2 3 ■ IR UPDAT E
Jeff Smith, CFA, IRC NIRI was saddened to learn of the passing of Jeff Smith, CFA, IRC, in late 2022. He was Staff Director, Investor Relations, at FedEx Corporation. NIRI President and CEO Mat-
thew Brusch, CAE, spoke about Smith in the De- cember 6, 2022 issue of IR Update Weekly: “I want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the life of longtime NIRI member Jeff Smith of FedEx. “Many of you knew Jeff through serving with
him in one of his many volunteer roles like on our national Board of Directors, including chairing the Board Finance Committee that was so instrumental in guiding NIRI through the challenging pandemic years, or on the Annual Conference Committee, or the Subject Matter Expert Committee that led to development of NIRI’s IRC credential, or his many other activities. “Or you may have known him through his many
appearances as a subject matter expert speaker at NIRI events. Tose that knew him know that there was no stronger NIRI supporter. He was an all- around great guy.” Several members of the NIRI Board of Directors
also offered these remembrances of Jeff: • “Jeff was the utmost professional and wonderful man. He was supportive, gracious and very kind.”
• “Jeff was incredibly smart and dedicated and a stalwart member of the IR community. He was an engaged, thoughtful board member who did a great deal for the Board and for NIRI as a whole.”
• “Jeff was an amazing NIRI volunteer. He was always prepared, and his willingness to contribute was really impressive, even when we could see that he was fighting serious health issues.”
• “He always stayed very positive, never com- plaining about his many symptoms.”
• “He served as a shining example of how to live with an extremely challenging disease.”
NIRI made a donation to the charity his family designated, the Jeffrey Smith St. Jude Memorial Fund.
ni ri .org/ irupdate
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