Multi-award winning IR professional shares her goals – and some inspiration – to kick off a new year
Predictably, as I moved into the New Year, I thought about what I wanted to accomplish over the coming 12 months. There are many opportunities for professional development, but my focus is on areas where I can hone my craft, build relationships and pay it forward.
Here are 10 IR things I want to do in 2026:
1. Study best-in-class IR programs across industries and geographies
To do this, I am going to choose three to five companies globally and start to review their material, look at sell-side reports and keep up-to-date on their corporate activities. I want to see how they weave their narrative through their documents, deal with emerging issues, manage outlook and guidance, how they approach messaging and what lands with the Street.
2. Deepen relationships with institutional sales
I believe this is one of the most under-rated activities for an IRO. Salespeople are the pulse of the Street. They create deep relationships with their customers – the portfolio managers – and understand better than most sell siders how their investors are thinking and what is broadly happening in the markets. Many companies will do institutional sales presentations and that is important. But by taking that a bit further, we can be more intentional in our outreach. When you go marketing, beyond the sell side and corporate access teams, having the attention of the sales desk can make the difference between a successful non-deal roadshow and an unsuccessful one.
When I want to look ‘smart’, I speak to a salesperson! And if you really want to be in the flow of information, make sure you receive those morning notes.
3. Go to lunch more often and speak to portfolio managers about their philosophy on investing
Well, I am always all about the food. But I say ‘lunch’ because I want to be in an environment that isn’t transactional. Coffee or drinks will do as well. The idea is to have time. I think this is particularly important as huge macro themes dominate: tariffs, artificial intelligence, geopolitical instability. To understand how investors are approaching investing, is very illuminating. And this is much more nuanced than when they provide their standard ‘fund mandate’ in meetings. Dig in. Be interested. Ask questions.
4. Spend time at investment conferences attending company presentations
Simple, right? But how often do we actually do this? Between attending your own one-on-ones to group dinners and other demands, this always slips down – or off – the list. But there is nothing like being in a room full of investors, absorbing the mood and watching executives discuss their company. How do they answer difficult questions? What is their body language? Is the Street buying what they are selling?
5. Buddy up with a trader(s) to get in the flow of the markets
How often do you get asked what is happening to the stock? You have market intelligence, speak to analysts and money managers, but there is no thread. The answer? Call the trader. Is it one of your large holders? Is it sentiment driven, or based on other factors? Is it part of a holding that is going to continue to ‘hit the tape’? In just a few words you have the story.
6. Seek more feedback
One of the ways we get better is through feedback. In the moment we can be too rushed. Emotion – good or bad – can win the day, with folks’ responses maybe not be as thoughtful or considered. So setting up time with stakeholders to have a solid discussion on what is working and what is not is key. There are ways for all of us to personally improve, but I also like to explore what the Street sees as best-in-class – and why. It isn’t always what we would expect. I realize you can do a rigorous study on this, but this is not what I am talking about here. This needs to be you. You learn, you continue to build a relationship with an important stakeholder.
7. Reach out to IROs across the globe and create deeper connections
Full disclosure, I have never done this before and it is hitting my list for the first time. IR can be a very lonely profession, because anything you may want to talk about or need advice on is probably not something you can actually discuss. But you can learn from others. Always. This can certainly be done in your home market, but ‘going global’ will expand your thinking. Does anyone want to be my friend? 😊
8. Maintain mentorship relationships; establish more
There are many mentorship programs out there. Choose one. Show up. Be helpful. We are all overloaded with work and life and the world feels scarier now than it has in recent memory. But being a helping hand not only makes a huge impact for someone else, it will also surprise you with how much you learn and get out of the relationship yourself.
9. Be intentional about diversity and inclusion
There has been a lot of discussion around DEI over the past decade and in the past year or so, the landscape shifted more dramatically than any of us may have expected. In some cases we appear to have gone in reverse. IR Impact research showed that, in 2024, the proportion of women leading the IR program in North America was actually lower than when we first talked about the ‘IR glass ceiling’ back in 2017. I have a bunch of thoughts on this (perhaps another article?) but we all have a responsibility to mentor, sponsor and make a difference here.
10. Create Supper Club 2.0
It was noted in an article as part of The CFO series with Lithium Royalty’s CFO, Dominique Barker, that we have a thriving Supper Club in Toronto. Yes, this one is for women, but it doesn’t mean that there aren’t different, more inclusive versions of this. Having said that, our Supper Club is a ‘safe space’ that allows women in the capital markets to enjoy time with folks that understand their challenges. And to have some fun! This has inspired me to think about 2.0. Finding the next generation of this Supper Club and creating this time of community and connection is now more important than ever.
As you think about 2026, what will you do to up your game?
