Hear from thought leaders and leading industry experts in General Sessions on the key topics that are shaping the future of investor relations and capital markets engagement.
Trends and Challenges: Assessing Changing Investor Sentiment in the Current Economic Climate
Monday, June 10, 2024 | 8:30AM - 9:35AM
The 2024 NIRI Annual Conference will kick off with a wide-ranging and engaging discussion of global macro trends and events. Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist, S&P Global Market Intelligence, will provide updates and insights on a number of highly relevant topics, including: global and US macro-economic trends, investor expectations, central bank policy, interest rate movements, geopolitics in an election year, and more.
Speakers:
Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist, S&P Global Market Intelligence
Alexandra Deignan, Managing Director, Global Treasurer, Head of Investor Relations and Corporate Sustainability, Lazard (moderator)
Beyond ‘Green Hushing’: Thinking Long-term About ESG Communications
Monday, June 10, 2024 | 9:35AM - 10:20AM
Where there was recently intense pressure to communicate ESG programs with a definitive strategy and measurable results, we are now in an environment of “green hushing,” where the three-letter “ESG” acronym comes across more as a four-letter word. Many issuers are still moving forward on “environmental”, “social” and “governance” actions, yet are limiting communications on progress, and shunning the actual “ESG” term. With this dramatic pendulum swing, IROs, sustainability officers and the C-suite have new decisions to make on how to proceed with their ESG programs and what and how to communicate their ESG journey. In this session, we will hear from experts who continue to believe that progress across elements of ESG helps to drive long-term growth and reduce risk, a buy sider who sees ESG actions as irrelevant or even harmful to the creation of shareholder value, and corporate sustainability officers who have successfully managed through ESG communications as the field has evolved.
Speakers:
Christopher Benjamin, Director, Corporate Sustainability, Pacific Gas & Electric
Justin Danhof, Executive Vice President, Head of Corporate Governance, Strive Asset Management
Aaron Bertinetti, Head of ESG for Investor Relations, JPMorgan Chase
Samantha D'Amore, Portfolio Manager, Trillium Asset Management
David Calusdian, President, Sharon Merrill Associates, Inc. (moderator)
A Conversation with SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce
Monday, June 10, 2024 | 10:20AM - 11:00AM
In this candid and dynamic conversation, SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce will share her views on the state of the market, current SEC priorities, and other topics of interest. Come prepared to submit your own questions in this unique opportunity to engage directly with a sitting SEC Commissioner.
Speakers:
Hester Peirce, Commissioner, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
John Moten, IRC, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations, Aventiv Technologies (moderator)
AI Evolution: Navigating Opportunities, Risks, and Compliance
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 | 8:30AM - 9:25AM
The rise of AI has created an abundance of opportunities for companies, such as improving healthcare diagnoses, optimizing certain tasks, and facilitating human connections through social media. Although AI’s impact on the IR profession has yet to be fully realized, the technology has already begun to influence some of the core responsibilities – and concerns - of the IRO. This session will address the responsible use and transformative potential of AI, including key compliance considerations. Some of the areas that will be discussed include:
- AI and its strategic implications and opportunities, including its role in driving innovation.
- The risks and challenges of deploying AI responsibly and safely, including ethical considerations, data privacy issues, and the need for robust regulatory frameworks.
- Developments in Generative AI and its limitations.
Join us for this enlightening presentation and arm yourself with the knowledge to make informed decisions and stay compliant in the rapidly evolving world of AI.
Speakers:
Steven Eliuk, Vice President AI & Governance, IBM
J.T. Ho, Co-Head of Orrick's Public Companies & ESG practice, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Sparky Zivin, Senior Managing Director and Global Head of Teneo Research, Teneo
Enrico Santus, Head of Human Computation, CTO Office, Bloomberg LP
Navigating the ETF Landscape: Passive Money or Untapped Opportunity?
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 | 9:25AM - 10:10AM
ETFs and index funds: passive money, or an untapped opportunity? Hear from industry experts as they dissect ETFs and index funds - what are they, and how do they work? We'll discuss the rise of ETFs, the industry shift toward active management and separately managed funds, and how IROs can tailor their approach to engage these investors. You won't want to miss this dynamic facilitated discussion with seasoned experts Jennifer Grancio, Global Head of Distribution at TCW, and Dana Martin, Managing Director of ETF Trading Solutions at WallachBeth Capital.
Speakers:
Jennifer Grancio, Global Head of Distribution, Group Managing Director, TCW
Dana Martin, Managing Director, ETF Trading Solutions, WallachBeth Capital
Patrick Davidson, Vice President, Investor Relations, Oshkosh Corporation (moderator)
Inside the Trenches: Shareholder Activism and the Battle for Corporate Control
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 | 10:25AM - 11:10AM
With record-breaking levels of activist campaigns, shareholder activism continues to reshape the landscape of corporate governance, challenging the traditional power structures within companies. In this session, we will delve into the latest trends driving shareholder activism and examine current focus areas for activists, ranging from mergers and acquisitions to advocating for board changes and beyond.
Join us for this exploration of shareholder activism to equip yourself with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate this complex terrain.
Speakers:
Pamela Codo-Lotti, Managing Director, Global Chief Operating Officer, Goldman Sachs
Demetrius A. Warrick, Partner, Mergers and Acquisitions, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Ned Segal, Independent Board Director and Former CFO of Twitter
Matthew Sherman, President, Joele Frank (moderator)
The Art of Building Engaged, World-Class Cultures: It’s All About the People
Tuesday, June 11, 2024 | 4:30PM - 5:30PM
It’s often said, with nods of wise agreement, that any organization is nothing without its people. Over many decades, countless books and courses on leadership have addressed this well-known and accepted axiom. Then why are nearly 70% of all employees in the U.S. disengaged at work? This session by Garry Ridge, The Culture Coach and Chairman Emeritus WD-40 Company, will be a look “under the hood” of one of the world’s most recognized brands, where employee engagement is above 93%, 98% say they “love to work at WD-40 Company”, and 99% say that their “opinions and values are a good fit” for WD-40 Company. Garry will share his “learning moments” over the course of his career efforts to transform company culture.
Audience takeaways:
- The personal journey of every servant leader and why that philosophy is critical.
- The emotional connection of a greater purpose that creates high engagement.
- The role of a leader as a coach, not a manager.
- How to carefully and consciously choose values that will be embedded in all aspects of leadership and employee development.
- Why investing in people who invest in themselves is a secret to succession planning and greater organizational capability.
- The difference between a “team” and a “tribe.”
- How company performance results are directly connected to its focus on people
Speakers:
Garry Ridge, The Culture Coach and Chairman Emeritus, WD-40 Company