2022 Conference Program
Additional speakers and sponsored sessions will be announced as they are announced. Sessions and speakers subject to change.
Day 1 - Tuesday, June 21
12:30 - 12:45 PM ET CIRI Welcome & Opening Remarks
12:45 - 1:45 PM ET Thriving at Work and Home
Sponsored by CIBC
After two challenging years, it’s time to thrive at work and at home! What does that look like? Dr. David Brown, Corporate Medical Director at CIBC, will discuss how you can achieve a sustainable and healthy balance between work and home life. Hear how you can leverage what you learned about pivoting, adapting, collaborating and transitioning during the pandemic so you can thrive in our ’new normal’.
Speaker:
Dr. David Brown, Corporate Medical Director, CIBC
1:45 - 2:15 PM ET Hi, my name is... Social Event
2:15 - 2:30 PM ET Personal Break
2:30 - 3:15 PM ET Breakout Sessions (select one)
Option #1 Taking Your ESG Processes & Reporting to the Next Level
You’ve implemented ESG-related processes and issued a report or two. Now, you want to take it to the next level. What do you do? Hear from two large cap issuers as they share their ESG journey, including their successes and challenges.
Speakers:
Erica Belling. Director, Investor &
Financial Communications, CIBC (Moderator)
Andre-Martin Bouchard, Global Director
Earth & Environment, WSP Global Inc.
Geoff Pegg, Head, Sustainability & Environment, TELUS
Option #2 Post Pandemic: Planning Your Next IR Event
Sponsored by Notified
After two years of virtual IR events, are we ready to go back to pre-pandemic practices or is it time to re-think how we engage with investors? How will we use what we’ve learned to deliver better IR events in the future? This panel of IROs have executed creative investor days, site tours and roadshows and will share tips and insights for you to consider when planning your next IR event.
Speakers:
Sylvie Harton, Senior Vice President, Strategy & Global Head of PR and IR Solutions, Notified (Moderator)
Jill MacRae, Vice President, Investor Relations & ESG, Home Trust Company
Jon Morrison, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development, AltaGas Ltd.
Option #3 Leveraging the Evolving Role of IR to Grow Your Career
Sponsored by Global Governance Advisors
Since IROs tend to wear many hats within their company, they require a diverse skill set. From finance to communications and marketing to sustainability and corporate strategy, the IRO gains experience and insight across many departments, deepening their knowledge. Find out how the evolving role of the IRO has led some to expand their responsibilities and others to transition into C-suite roles.
Speakers:
Yvette Lokker, President & CEO, CIRI (Moderator)
Virginia Morgan, Senior Director, Investor Relations & ESG, Lithium Americas
Dale Noseworthy, Chief Financial Officer, Killam Apartment REIT
Tony Spizzirri, Principal, Global Governance Advisors
3:15 - 3:35 PM ET Sponsored Teach Ins
Investor Outreach: Effectively Engaging with Institutional Investors Outside of Canada
Sponsored by Rose & Company
Join us for a fireside chat with Ian Ross, CFO of Major Drilling, to discuss marketing to global investors. Hear about proactive strategies on how to engage with investors outside of Canada.
Speakers:
Simon Rose, Chief Executive Officer, Rose & Company
Ian Ross, CFO, Major Drilling
3:35 - 4:05 PM ET Break with Exhibitors
4:05 - 5:00 PM ET In Conversation with the Street
Sponsored by TD Bank Group
Analysts and institutional investors play a vital role in an IRO's success as key external stakeholders. Hear from the buy- and sell-side as they share insights on the current state of Canadian capital markets; how they are impacted by the pandemic and global events; their views on guidance and ESG; and what they need from IROs. Get actionable advice on how you can maximize your relationships with the buy- and sell-side to add value internally as the link between the Street and management.
Speakers:
Frederic Bastien, Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst, Raymond James
David Kwan, Director, Equity Research Analyst, TD Securities
Jennifer Stevenson, Vice President & Portfolio Manager, Dynamic Funds
Day 2 - Wednesday, June 22
12:30 - 1:30 PM ET Are Our Economic Challenges Surmountable?
The pandemic might be fading in Canada for now, and we’re at multi-decade lows in unemployment, but there’s no shortage of risks to the economy, from interest rate hikes needed to tame inflation here and abroad, to the war in Ukraine and its impacts on food and energy prices. Join Avery Shenfeld for an insightful conversation on whether we can surmount these challenges, and the implications for corporate Canada and financial markets through 2023.
Speaker:
Avery Shenfeld, Managing Director & Chief Economist, CIBC Capital Markets
1:30 - 2:15 PM ET Awards Ceremony
2:15 - 2:30 PM ET Personal Break
2:30 - 3:00 PM ET Peer Roundtables
Do you have some burning IR questions you wish you could discuss with other IROs? Well, here's your chance. Join us for an interactive discussion with your peers on a variety of topics including: ESG; investor targeting/marketing; IR events (investor days, AGMs, etc.); IR department structure & budgets; and IR strategy.
3:00 - 3:45 PM ET Breakout Sessions (select one)
Option #1 What's Next For ESG & How To Prepare
Sponsored by Q4 Inc.
With rising investor demand, proposed regulatory requirements and the formation of the International Sustainability Standards Board, we are seeing significant changes in ESG. From an issuer perspective, whether you are new to reporting or a veteran, it’s hard to know where to start or where to go next. This session will take you through recent developments on ESG frameworks and how these are being received by investors so that you can better guide your company’s ESG journey.
Speakers:
Melanie Adams, Vice President & Head, Corporate Governance & Responsible Investment, RBC Global Asset Management
Tim Robson, Manager, Legal, Corporate Finance, Alberta Securities Commission
Neil Stewart, Director of Corporate Outreach; Senior Market Leader, Canada, Value Reporting Foundation
Lora Turner, Commercial Account Executive, Q4 Inc. (Moderator)
Option #2 Evolving the Earnings Call: Companies that are Breaking the Mold
Sponsored by Lumi
While it is not required, an earnings call is one of the most effective ways for an issuer to clearly and effectively disseminate essential information to the financial community. Likely driven by the increased dependance on technology amid the pandemic, some issuers are getting creative with their approach to these events. Hear from IRO’s who are breaking the mold on the traditional quarterly earnings calls from getting buy-in from management to delivering a more engaging experience to investors.
Speakers:
Anil Aggarwala, Vice President, Treasury & Investor Relations, Secure Energy
Jean-Marc Ayas, Director, Investor Relations, Dialogue
Kerry Leighton-Bailey, Chief Marketing Officer, Lumi Global
Anne Plasterer, Partner, Clear Path Strategies (Moderator)
Option #3 Staying On Course: Managing Investor Expectations
Sponsored by Irwin
Unexpected news, whether viewed as positive or negative, can impact investor expectations, shareholder engagement and stock price. Hear from IROs who have exceeded or fallen short of investor expectations through various events such as a management change or updated guidance. Learn how they communicated the update to the Street, managed the fall-out and maintained a steady course along the way.
Speakers:
Brian Christie, Vice President, Investor Relations, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited
Mark Fasken, Co-Founder & COO, Irwin (Moderator)
Karen Keyes, Head, Investor Relations, Canadian Tire Corporation
Calvin Locke, Manager, Investor Relations, Keyera
3:45 - 4:15 PM ET Break with Exhibitors
4:15 - 5:00 PM ET Breakout Sessions (select one)
Option #1 Striving for ESG Excellence
Sponsored by TMX Group
As IRO’s, you hear the acronym ‘ESG’ daily and for good reason. Enhancing ESG metrics provides a comprehensive level of transparency to investors, while taking a forward-looking approach to managing potential risks. Join us for an informative discussion with Torex Gold Resources and Whitecap Resources to learn what they are doing to create value for their companies and stakeholders and how these efforts are being incorporated into their IR efforts.
Speakers:
Grant Fagerheim, President & CEO, Whitecap Resources Inc.
Monica Hamm, Manager, Client Success
TMX Group (Moderator)
Dan Rollins, Senior Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations, Torex Gold Resources
Option #2 Engaging New Investors Through Digital Marketing
Sponsored by 6ix
All IROs share a common objective – to reach and engage with new investors. Hear how IROs from various industries and market caps leverage digital marketing to appeal to a new wave of investors including the mediums they use; how they tailor their message for the audience and medium; and how they measure success.
Speakers:
Camilla Bartosiewicz, Chief Communications Officer, Altus Group (Moderator)
Mal Karwowska, Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations, Newcore Gold
Galina Meleger, Vice President, Investor Relations, Endeavour Silver Corp.
Bianca Pisciola, COO, 6ix
Option #3 Board-Shareholder Engagement Goes Well Beyond Proxy Season
Sponsored by Olympia Trust
Historically, when IROs heard the words ‘shareholder engagement’, they thought of proxy season. That isn’t the case today. Having ongoing conversations help shareholders better understand the company’s approach to a variety of issues, informing their voting decisions. Hear how issuers include different layers of management and the Board to effectively engage with investors year-round.
Speakers:
Chris De Bruyn, Managing Director, Investor Relations & Treasury, Canadian Pacific Railway
Denis Jasmin, F.CIRI, Vice President, Investor Relations, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc.
Dean Naugler, Vice President, Corporate & Shareholder Services, Olympia Trust Company (Moderator)
Sarah Neilson, Vice President & Senior Portfolio Manager, North American Equities, RBC Global Asset Management
5:00 - 6:30 PM ET Mafia 360 Escape Room Reception
Which team will figure out the clues and escape first!
Day 3 - Thursday, June 23
12:30 - 1:30 PM ET Seeing the Opportunity in the Evolution of IR
Times are changing and IROs are adapting…again. As the role and responsibilities of the IRO evolve, so too do the skills required to do the job effectively. Hear from seasoned IROs on the constant shifts they are seeing within the profession, how you can leverage these to further develop your career, what skills you need to be successful and what to prepare for in the future.
Speakers:
Chaya Cooperberg, EVP, Chief People and Communications Officer, AmTrust Financial (Moderator)
Patrick Drouin, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations & Sustainability, Wheaton Precious Metals
Lorne Gorber, F.CIRI, IR Consultant & Director, Council of the Great Lakes Region
Nathalie Megann, CPIR, ICD.D, Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Affairs, Chorus Aviation
1:30 - 2:10 PM ET Bingo Buddies Social Event
2:10 - 2:25 PM ET Personal Break
2:25 - 3:10 PM ET Breakout Sessions (select one)
Option #1 Not another ESG Rater! Tips and Tricks to Manage the ESG Rater Landscape
Sponsored by Broadridge
While standardization of ESG data is expected to occur in the future, ESG raters currently help investors compare companies to make the best investment decisions. However, with the number of raters on the rise, they present a challenge for issuers. Hear from a variety of perspectives – an academic, an asset manager and an issuer – on their expectations of one another; dependence on ESG rating agencies; and whether raters effectively advance the ESG mandate.
Speakers:
Florian Berg, Research Associate, MIT Sloan School of Management
Cathy Conlon, Vice President, Head of Issuer Strategy & Product Management, Broadridge Financial Solutions Inc. (Moderator)
Kealey Martin, CPIR, Director, Sustainability, Fortis Inc.
Lee Matheson, Parter, EdgePoint
Option #2 Capitalizing on the Rise of Retail
Once dismissed as less significant, the rise of retail trading has caused the financial industry to take note. With the growth of online brokerage platforms and zero commission trades, investing in the stock market has become more accessible than ever. Hear how you can tap into this growing and engaged audience from the experts themselves – an issuer, a retail broker and a family office.
Speakers:
Matthew Andrade, Managing Director, Public Investments, Werklund Family Office
Adam Borgatti, CPIR, SVP, Corporate Development
& Investor Relations, Aecon Group Inc.
Katie Keita, Director, Investor Relations & Sustainability, Shopify, Inc. (Moderator)
Randy Yozipovic, Senior Wealth Advisor, CIBC Wood Gundy
Option #3 Surveillance Strategies to Fuel Your IR Program
Stock surveillance is a valuable addition to any IR toolkit to help identify your shareholders' unique expectations. With increased focus on governance and shareholder engagement issues, the need for it has never been greater. In this session, experienced IRO’s will share insights on key strategies to stay on top of trading activity, including tools to analyze volumes traded, stock volatility, monitor their shareholder base and interpret real-time data to predict movements that could otherwise blindside you. You will also learn how to adjust your IR program through active surveillance to better reflect shareholder needs, a necessary trait to have now more than ever.
Speakers:
Rhylin Bailie, Vice President, Investor Relations, Equinox Gold Corp. (Moderator)
Peter Lekich, Director, Investor Relations, Northwest Copper
Marc Lepage, Vice President, Business Development, GFG Resources
Ivan Zarate, Manager, Corporate Reporting & Investor Relations, Air Canada
3:10 - 3:40 PM ET Break with Exhibitors
3:40 - 4:40 PM ET IR & The Board: A Strategic Partnership
Sponsored by Business Wire
With increased pressure for Directors to engage with shareholders, IROs have a crucial role to play in advising their Board on trends and strategies for shareholder engagement. Today, Boards need to deal with the fallout from COVID as well as a number of other issues including diversity, equality and inclusion; human capital management; and carbon emissions to name a few. Join us for a thoughtful discussion on the issues that are top of mind for Directors, what needs to be done to advance these issues and how IROs can provide strategic value to their Boards.
Speakers:
Greg Blazina, General Manager, Canada, Business Wire (Moderator)
Trudy Curran, Director, Great Panther Silver
Deborah Rosati, Corporate Director, Founder & CEO, Women Get On Board Inc.
Debbie Stein, Director, Aecon
4:40 - 5:00 PM ET Exhibitor Draw & Closing Remarks
Join us and the exhibitors for prize draws and event wrap up.