We are fortunate to have Kimberly Esterkin, Vice President, Investor Relations at Everforth, Inc., on NIRI’s Board of Directors and as an author for NIRI’s award-winning publication, IR Update.
Kim recently answered some questions for us so we could learn how she found her way into investor relations, how she spends her weekends, and what motivates her to be successful. Spoiler alert: we also learned about golden retriever belly flops, why she would choose John Lennon as a dinner companion, and her goal of completing 50 half marathons by age 50. Read on to learn more about Kim.
Career and NIRI
How did you find your way into investor relations?
Upon graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, I entered into the field of management consulting, focusing specifically on the fixed income markets. The firm I worked for was employed by sell-side investment banks to find out how they were performing in sales, trading, underwriting, and research. I spent almost four years speaking to portfolio managers and traders, yearning to be able to do what they did, i.e., trading bonds and loans, not just analyzing my clients’ performance.
It was then that I decided the best way to do so was to become a trader, and so I transitioned onto a trading desk for a private wealth management team. It was a great experience, but after a year in the role, something was missing: analysis and writing.
I began to explore options for careers that would enable me to take my passion for writing and strategic thought and combine these skillsets with my growing love for the stock market and ability to analyze financial statements. In 2009, I found investor relations, and I never looked back!
How long have you been a NIRI member, and what first attracted you to the organization?
I joined NIRI in 2015. I was in my first in-house IR role, having started my career several years before at an IR agency, and my boss at the time was the treasurer for our local NIRI chapter. He encouraged me to attend meetings, and I immediately drank the NIRI Kool-Aid.
I went from attending NIRI meetings to joining the local board and helping run programs for several years before transitioning to president of the NIRI Los Angeles Chapter.
Ultimately, I had the opportunity to be nominated to the NIRI national board. What initially drew me to the organization was networking and education, but what keeps me in the organization is the people who make up NIRI, those who volunteer their limited free time to propel the investor relations career forward and elevate the role of the investor relations officer each and every day!
What aspect of investor relations do you enjoy most?
There are two parts of the investor relations profession that I enjoy above all else. The first is engaging with investors. Whether it’s a quick catch-up call or a challenging, in-depth discussion, I enjoy the opportunity to share our story, explain our strategy, and help investors develop a deeper understanding of why we believe our company represents a compelling long-term investment.
Second, I am passionate about mentoring and developing the next generation of investor relations professionals. Few things are more rewarding than helping others build the skills and confidence needed to succeed in our field. Since my two sons were in preschool (now one is in elementary and the other in middle school), I have been attending career day at their respective schools, teaching about the stock market and sharing how exciting it is to work in investor relations. I try to encourage all the students to explore this unique field that combines the creative with the strategic and analytical parts of the brain.
“I try to encourage all the students to explore this unique field [investor relations] that combines the creative with the strategic and analytical parts of the brain.”
What’s one professional accomplishment you’re especially proud of?
As a child I was convinced I would be a famous author one day. I wrote poems, short stories, and was an active part of my high school and college newspaper reporting teams. While I did not become a professional author, as part of the field of investor relations, I have the ability to continue my passion for writing by authoring pieces for NIRI’s IR Update.
I am proud to say that I have won the Gold Award in Editorial Excellence every year since 2022, most recently receiving the award at the NIRI Annual Conference in June 2026. As this specific award is voted on by my IR peers, it is especially meaningful to have received this recognition year after year.
What advice would you give someone just starting a career in investor relations?
For someone first starting a career in IR, there are a few recommendations I would have for him or her. The first is to attend NIRI meetings. Join your local chapter, volunteer for events, become part of the community. It’s a small IR world, and having NIRI connections is unmatched.
Second, if you aren’t already a news junkie, become one. Immerse yourself in all financial news, your company-specific news, geopolitics, and more. Having that thirst for everything news-wise will make you a more well-rounded individual who is ready to answer any investor question along the way.
Third, be up for a challenge. Don’t be afraid to take on new aspects of your role but also don’t fret if you don’t know it all from the start or even make a mistake. IROs become stronger through actual experience and immersing themselves in all aspects of the role from managing the logistics of a roadshow to drafting quarterly earnings materials or drafting an acquisition release. All of these efforts will make you a stronger investor relations professional.
Last but not least, remember that while IR teams are often small, you are part of a larger network of individuals. Start forming a group of investor relations professionals that you can bounce ideas off of, discuss strategy, and debate best practices. Having a close-knit team of support makes a big difference throughout your career.
Personal Life
What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend?
When the weekend arrives, there’s nowhere I’d rather be than in the backyard with my husband, our two sons, and our two golden retrievers. And if you’re looking for a world-class demonstration of belly flops, our two 50-pound goldens put on quite a show in the Esterkin pool.
Do you have a hobby or passion outside of work?
I’m an avid runner, and by the end of this October, I will have completed 29 half marathons. My goal is to complete 50 half marathons by the time I turn 50. I have to admit that some of my best ideas for earnings materials come to me around mile 9 or 10!
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or historical, who would it be and why?
It would have to be John Lennon. I’m actually staring at a painting of John on my office wall as I write this response. I absolutely love the Beatles. My first concert was Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band. My high school yearbook quote was from the song “Imagine.” I want to understand the meaning behind many of John’s songs and hear his side of why the Beatles broke up. He was well ahead of his time in promoting world peace, and his guidance would be much appreciated in today’s society.
Do you have a favorite quote or motto?
Since I was 13 years old, I’ve carried a small card in my wallet given to me by my great aunt. The card says the following: “If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.” I visualize my end goal, imagine my success, and push myself to be my very best.
“‘If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it.’ I visualize my end goal, imagine my success, and push myself to be my very best.”
What’s one thing currently on your bucket list?
I would love to run a race in Europe or Asia. I ran my first race internationally this past summer in Vancouver. There’s a half marathon on the Ferrari racetrack in Modena, Italy, each March. That might be the perfect place for my “need for speed!”
Interested in being featured in a Member Spotlight in IR Update? Complete our IRLife form to tell us about yourself and your experience in IR.