Plus new head of IR in place at Jennifer Garner-founded kids food company Once Upon a Farm
Medical technology company Ionetix has brought in an IR Impact Hall of Fame honoree to lead its investor relations function ahead of a planned public float.
Paul Surdez was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010 after being named best IRO (mid-cap) during his 12-year tenure as vice president, investor relations at Covance, and later two years in the same role once the company was integrated into LabCorp.
Since then, he has held similar roles at fellow medical technology companies Envigo and Catalent Pharma Solutions.
His recent appointment follows Ionetix’s April 2026 reverse merger with JDEV Acquisition and related $30 mn private placement, ahead of the expected trading of its shares on the OTCQB market later this year.
Surdez says: ‘Earlier this year, Ionetix completed its reverse merger and related financing, positioning the company to share its story with the broader investment community. I was drawn to Ionetix’s cyclotron technology platform and the opportunity to help the investment community appreciate its potential across radiopharmaceuticals as well as possible expansion into other verticals.’
Elsewhere, student loan provider Sallie Mae has promoted its former head of IR to the role of deputy CFO.
Melissa Bronaugh served as head of IR at the company for nearly three years between 2022 and 2025, before taking up a position as managing vice president, strategic finance in 2025. She joined Sallie Mae in 2019 as its senior director, accounting operations.
Prior to that, she held various finance director and consultancy roles at CrossCountry Consulting, Navient, Deloitte and KPMG.
Announcing the move on LinkedIn, Bronaugh writes: ‘What motivates me most is the opportunity to work alongside incredibly talented colleagues to solve complex challenges, support better decision-making, and help position our company for future success.
I’m deeply grateful to the mentors, leaders, teammates, and friends who have supported me along the way. Your trust, guidance, and partnership have made a lasting impact. Looking forward to this next chapter and the work ahead.’
Over in Portland, Oregon, organic kids’ food company Once Upon a Farm has brought in Brian Holland as its new vice president, investor relations.
The company, which went public earlier this year, was co-founded by actress Jennifer Garner. Holland joins after several years working as an analyst covering the sustainable food and healthy living sector for many years, including stints at DA Davidson Companies, Cowen and Consumer Edge Research.
Writing about his new role on LinkedIn, he says: ‘I have joined Once Upon A Farm as vice president of investor relations – a truly unique opportunity to work for a company whose products my family consumes, and whose mission aligns with our values.’
Across the border in Vancouver, British Columbia, indigenous-owned mining company Nations Royalty has appointed Trenton Kwan as its new director, investor relations.
He joins the company after seven years advising public companies in investor relations matters at Kin Communications, where he worked with public companies across the mining, energy and technology sectors. Prior to that he held business development roles at Manulife and Canaccord Genuity Wealth Management.
In the UK, Stephen Nightingale has come to the end of his tenure as interim investor relations director at Fever-Tree, as Ann Morris-Gibbons returns to the role following her parental leave.
On LinkedIn, he writes that what will follow is ‘some time off to enjoy the summer and embrace whatever comes next’.
Finally, a trio of IROs have been promoted internally: Austin Looney has transitioned into the IR team as an analyst at Murphy USA; Kyle Semetti has taken over as director, investor relations at Viatris; and Katarzyna Szulc has taken on the role of associate director, investor relations and sustainability at Polish video game developer CD Projekt Red.
