Winning IR

Between shrinking pools of specialist capital, growing political risk, and a sector that now spans everything from LNG to renewables, telling a clear and compelling energy story can be tricky. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken speaks with Megan Light, a 20-year energy IR veteran, about what it takes to run a high-performing IR program in one of the most dynamic sectors in the market. 

Drawing on her experience across upstream, midstream, LNG, and renewable natural gas, Megan shares the practical strategies she uses to cut through the noise, expand her investor base, and earn a seat at the table. 

Listen to the full episode to learn more about: 

• How reputation, political risk, and a shrinking specialist investor pool have reshaped energy IR  
• How to tell a simple story in an industry that is anything but  
• How Megan's team plans and runs NDRs entirely in-house, and the access that buys them  
• Why Megan writes disclosures with AI in mind and what that means in practice 

Winning IR is brought to you by Irwin.

For more winning ideas, subscribe to Winning IR wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, visit getirwin.com/winning-ir

At a company as large and complex as Pfizer, investor relations isn't just about answering questions. It's about architecting a story that works for a PhD and a generalist in the same room. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken speaks with Francesca DeMartino, Chief Investor Relations Officer at Pfizer, about what it takes to run a world-class IR program inside one of the most scientifically complex, brand-recognizable, and closely scrutinized companies on the planet. 

Drawing on over 25 years of experience across pharma, med tech, investment banking, and corporate communications, Francesca shares how she builds her bench, controls the narrative, and earns her seat at the table.

Listen to the full episode to learn more about:

• Why pharma IR is unlike any other sector and what IROs everywhere can learn from it
• How to tailor your story for generalist and specialist investors, sometimes in the very same meeting
• Why Francesca abandoned traditional Q&A documents in favor of message maps and why you should too
• How to build an IR team that is truly fit for purpose, and what skill sets matter most
• The three pillars of a great IR program: storytelling, consensus management, and targeting — and how to master all three

Winning IR is brought to you by Irwin.

For more winning ideas, subscribe to Winning IR wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, visit getirwin.com/winning-ir

Having the world's most famous brand behind you is a head start. Not a strategy. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken speaks with Sarah Willett, Head of IR and Corporate Strategy at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, about what it takes to build a rigorous, credible investment case when your company spans 31 markets, 90 factories, and one of the most iconic consumer brands on the planet. 

Sarah shares how deep business immersion — from factory floors to supermarket shelves — has shaped her IR approach, earned her a seat at the strategy table, and made her team one of the most sought-after in the market.

Listen to the full episode to learn more about:

• How to build one consistent investor narrative across multiple geographies and investor audiences
• Why business immersion is the foundation of IRO credibility
• How to tell a growth story within a stable, well-understood consumer business
• What the IR-plus-strategy model looks like in practice — and how to earn it
• How CCEP is approaching AI adoption and productivity inside the IR function

Winning IR is brought to you by Irwin.

For more winning ideas, subscribe to Winning IR wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, visit getirwin.com/winning-ir

The rules of investor engagement are being rewritten — and the IROs who see it coming are the ones getting ahead. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken speaks with Samir Jain, a seasoned IR advisor with two decades of experience as a buy-side investor and IRO, about what it takes to communicate a compelling story when your company operates at the frontier of emerging technology. Drawing on his work with companies in the Bitcoin, crypto, and AI infrastructure space, Samir shares how IR professionals can bridge the gap between traditional finance and novel asset classes, engage the growing influence of retail investors, and future-proof their careers in the face of rapid technological change. 

Listen to the full episode to learn more about: 

• How to build credibility with institutional investors around emerging and misunderstood asset classes 
• Why retail investors are the tip of the spear — and what every IRO needs to learn from the crypto playbook 
• How to engage retail communities on Reddit, X, and beyond in a meaningful and compliant way 
• What AI will replace in IR — and what it absolutely will not 
• Why the IROs who thrive will be the ones who expand their remit, own proprietary information, and position themselves as peer advisors — not proxies 

Winning IR is brought to you by Irwin.

For more winning ideas, subscribe to Winning IR wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, visit getirwin.com/winning-ir

IR professionals are expected to do far more than communicate — they're expected to lead. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken speaks with Soham Bhonsle, Head of IR and FP&A at Compass, about what it takes to tell a compelling story when your company sits at the intersection of two very different investor worlds: real estate and technology. Soham shares how his decade-long career as a sell-side analyst shaped the way he engages investors, manages narratives through major M&A, and earns a genuine seat at the table in a founder-led, high-growth company.

Winning IR is brought to you by Irwin.

For more winning ideas, subscribe to Winning IR wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, visit getirwin.com/winning-ir

What does it take to run investor relations for one of the most recognized brands in America — a company that's been public for nearly 150 years, serves tens of millions of customers, and is under constant scrutiny from investors, regulators, and the public alike? 

Today's guest, Brett Feldman, has the answer. As Senior Vice President — Investor Relations and Treasurer at AT&T, Brett oversees IR for a company with a market cap north of $175 billion and a retail investor base that makes up roughly a third of its shareholders — many of whom are also AT&T customers. 

Brett brings a perspective that's genuinely rare in IR: he started his career in IR, spent 20 years as a sell-side equity analyst, and returned to the corporate side. That full-circle experience shapes how he thinks about everything from analyst relationships to internal communications to the fundamental purpose of an investor relations function. 

In this conversation, Brett and Mark Fasken go deep on what it really means to align perception and reality — and why getting that wrong has a measurable cost to your company's shareholders. 

Listen to the full episode to learn more about: 

• The financial case for investor relations — and why volatility is the metric that matters 
• How AT&T communicates consistently across investors, regulators, employees, and customers 
• The internal IR work that most companies overlook 
• What the sell side actually cares about (and what IROs misunderstand) 
• Why smaller companies should build relationships with analysts who are obsessed with their business — not just the ones with the biggest brand names 

Winning IR is brought to you by Irwin.

For more winning ideas, subscribe to Winning IR wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, visit getirwin.com/winning-ir

In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Jack Riehemann, Head of International Investor Relations at Robinhood, to explore the company’s remarkable surge in international investor interest. Jack shares how Robinhood’s global mission, product expansion, and disciplined execution have attracted investors from Europe, Asia, and beyond—even as the company’s revenues remain largely US-based. He offers practical insights into building strong international investor relationships, understanding regional nuances, and structuring an IR team for global success.  

Listen to the full episode to learn more about: 

• The key drivers behind Robinhood’s explosive international investor engagement 
• How product innovation and brand recognition fuel global demand 
• Navigating cultural, regulatory, and competitive differences across markets 
• Leveraging sell-side partnerships and technology to scale global IR efforts 
• Tips for effective meeting preparation and adapting to regional investor expectations 

Winning IR is brought to you by Irwin.

For more winning ideas, subscribe to Winning IR wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, visit getirwin.com/winning-ir

In today's increasingly globalized financial markets, international investor engagement is more important than ever. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Craig Marks, Head of Investor Relations at Sandoz, to discuss the practical realities of planning and executing successful international roadshows. Drawing on two decades of experience across major pharma companies, Craig shares his hands-on insights for navigating logistics, targeting the right investors, and maximizing the impact of every meeting. Listen to the full episode to learn more about: 

• How to tailor outreach strategies for different regions and investor types 
• The importance of detailed logistics planning, from city-by-city travel tips to private lunches 
• Approaches for targeting, engaging, and policing brokers to ensure the right investors are reached 
• Myths and realities about regional differences in investor engagement and conversation style 
• The evolving role of ESG in investor relations and why its focus may be shifting 
• Building long-term relationships by revisiting key markets and leveraging local knowledge 
• Craig's personal tips for making investor meetings productive and memorable 

Winning IR is brought to you by Irwin.

For more winning ideas, subscribe to Winning IR wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, visit getirwin.com/winning-ir

In today’s increasingly globalized investment landscape, North American companies are looking beyond domestic borders to grow their investor base. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken speaks with Damian Perry, co-founder of Phoenix IR, about the unique challenges and opportunities of investor relations across Europe. Damian shares his decades of experience advising North American companies on European corporate access strategies, highlighting what it takes to succeed in international markets and how independent firms like Phoenix IR offer a distinct advantage. 

Listen to the full episode to learn more about: 

• The benefits of working with independent IR advisors 
• Key factors for North American companies to successfully market themselves in Europe 
• Which European cities offer the greatest ROI for investor meetings 
• Navigating the impact of MiFID II regulations on corporate access and investor engagement 

Winning IR is brought to you by Irwin.

For more winning ideas, subscribe to Winning IR wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, visit getirwin.com/winning-ir

In the rapidly evolving Middle Eastern capital markets, investor relations professionals face unique opportunities and challenges. In this episode of Winning IR, Mark Fasken sits down with Salwa Gradl, Head of Investor Relations at du, to explore the current state of IR in the region and how global capital is being attracted amid ambitious national strategies like UAE Vision 2031. 

Salwa shares her insights on building effective IR programs in a dynamic market, the impact of national transformation agendas, and the skills required to thrive as an IR leader in the Middle East. Listen to the full episode to learn more about: 

• Navigating a fast-growing IPO landscape and increasing market liquidity 
• Building IR processes and automating workflows with limited resources 
• Educating internal stakeholders about the strategic value of IR 
• Proactive outreach and transparent communication to build investor trust 

Winning IR is brought to you by Irwin.

For more winning ideas, subscribe to Winning IR wherever you get your podcasts.

For more information, visit getirwin.com/winning-ir