Now Big in America – Bringing the IR Revolution Home

This week in New York marked a defining moment for our global profession with the US launch of The Global IR Revolution, brought to the birthplace of investor relations in collaboration with the NIRI New York Chapter and Computershare/Georgeson.

With an exceptional panel of IR leaders: Tiffany Willis (formerly SVP of IR at Starbucks), Caroline Borders (Chief IR Officer at GE HealthCare), Laura Kiernan (Head of IR at Clear Channel and former NIRI NY Chapter President), and Aaron Bertinetti (CEO of Investor Engagement, North America at Computershare), the depth of insight and candour in the room made it a truly standout evening.

The panel discussion focused on several major themes shaping the profession today: the growing strategic importance of IR at board and C-suite level, the need for IROs to act as true business partners rather than operational executors, the increasing complexity of the role amid activism, AI and volatility, and the rising importance of personal credibility and branding. Perhaps most importantly, the conversation reinforced that IR is no longer simply supporting the corporate story. It is increasingly helping to shape it.

What stood out most was just how aligned the panel was on one point. The role of investor relations has fundamentally changed.

The best IROs today are not just communicators. They are strategic advisers. They bring market intelligence into the boardroom, challenge thinking, shape narrative, and help leadership teams navigate increasingly complex stakeholder environments.

We also spent time discussing what separates those who truly stand out.

It is rarely just technical capability. It is judgement. It is credibility. It is the ability to influence internally and externally. And increasingly, it is the confidence to step beyond execution and operate as a genuine business partner.

Another theme that came through strongly is how much broader the role has become. Activism is more sophisticated. Markets are more volatile. AI is beginning to reshape how teams operate. At the same time, IR teams remain lean, which places even greater emphasis on prioritisation and impact.

In that environment, the human element becomes more, not less, important. Relationships, communication, trust and reputation are what differentiate the very best.

Which brings us to one of the most important points discussed on the panel. While IROs represent their companies, they are also always representing themselves.

Your personal credibility travels with you. Your reputation compounds over time. And your ability to own your narrative, particularly in moments of pressure, is what ultimately defines your long-term trajectory.

We are also seeing a clear shift in ambition. More IROs are stepping into broader leadership roles across corporate affairs, strategy and finance, and in some cases into CFO and CEO positions. That is not by chance. It reflects the increasing strategic value of the role when done well.

Our key takeaway from the evening is simple.

Investor relations is no longer a function operating on the sidelines. It is a profession with real influence, real responsibility and real opportunity.  And for those willing to lean into that, the ceiling is far higher than it has ever been.

A sincere thank you to our incredible hosts at Computershare and the brilliant team at the NIRI New York Chapter for their support in making the evening such a success. Exciting times to be in the heady world of IR.