An Honor and a Privilege
When I was invited to author this month’s “Leadership Update” column with the suggestion that it be about my pending retirement and changes I’ve seen in IR, my first reaction was surprise.
We’re a small staff and all tend to be heads-down on the most pressing work deadline, and summing up my career and reflecting on the evolution of IR in 500 words or less was not on my to-do list.
In case you were also heads-down when it was announced, I do plan to retire. The NIRI Board, led by Remy Bernarda, IRC, is hard at work as well, conducting a search for NIRI’s next CEO. I thank Remy, the CEO Search Committee, and everyone involved for their efforts, and know they will make an excellent appointment.
I began attending NIRI events when I joined Nasdaq in 1993, became a NIRI member when I moved to corporate IR in 1998, and joined the NIRI staff in 2007. I certainly have seen dramatic changes in our profession.
But I am by no means unique. NIRI has 24 active members who began their IR careers the year I did. More impressively, there are 201 members who started their IR careers prior to that, going back to 1971. It would be fascinating to hear the perspectives of these folks on the changes they’ve witnessed!
However, with the limited remaining word count, I’d like to focus on our shared professional home, NIRI, and our future.
NIRI is fortunate to have excellent volunteer leaders at the national and local levels, outstanding staff, members and partners who are committed to NIRI’s important mission.
We’re all rowing in the same direction to bring to life the Vision for NIRI outlined in our Strategic Plan: “NIRI aims to be the leader in providing indispensable education, networking, and support for the IR community that results in management and the investment community valuing IR professionals as essential partners in providing long-term stakeholder value. NIRI is a growing community that supports networking and advancement of the interests of IR professionals.”
NIRI was founded to create a community and body of knowledge around the then-new profession of investor relations. Considering the quickening pace of change in IR and in general, there is easily as much, or even more of a need for NIRI’s community and independent education today and in the future as there was in 1969. And with the many dedicated volunteers, talented staff, and active members committed to evolving our organization, NIRI has a bright future indeed!
It has been an absolute honor and privilege to lead this organization that has been so influential in so many of our lives. As I prepare to turn the page on this chapter of my career, I look forward to keeping in touch and celebrating with you as our community builds on NIRI’s strengths, expands its impact, and advances and elevates IR.
Sincerely,
Matt
Matthew D. Brusch, CAE
President and Chief Executive Officer
NIRI: The Association for Investor Relations
mbrusch@niri.org