NIRI Chicago Elects 2021-2022 Officers and Directors

CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#IRWorkshop–The Chicago Chapter of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI Chicago) has elected 13 officers and directors to its board for the 2021-2022 term, effective July 1.

“NIRI Chicago has been a critical resource for our members during the COVID-19 pandemic, hosting 15 virtual events that have enabled us to collectively navigate unprecedented challenges in investor relations,” said Mike Steele, incoming chapter president. “We are focused on continuing to elevate the member experience by offering unique opportunities to develop professional skills, share best practices and stay abreast of current trends, all while connecting with peers in a cordial environment. We look forward to kicking off a new program year of compelling events, which includes a full-day IR Workshop for professionals of all experience levels on Friday, Sept. 24 at the Metropolitan Club.”

NIRI Chicago Chapter board members for 2021-2022:

Officers

President: Michael A. Steele, CFA, IRC, vice president of investor relations, Zebra Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: ZBRA). Steele most recently served as NIRI Chicago’s executive vice president and has been a speaker at NIRI’s annual conference and NIRI Chicago events.

Executive Vice President: Heather Anne Kos, CPA, IRC, vice president of investor relations and communications, Univar Solutions (NYSE: UNVR). Kos is a past member of NIRI’s Certification Council and former chair of the IR roundtable of the Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI).

Vice President, Programs: Barbara Noverini, CFA, director of investor relations, Morningstar, Inc. (Nasdaq: MORN). This is Noverini’s second year on the NIRI Chicago board. She will continue to serve as the chapter’s advocacy ambassador.

Vice President, Communications: Maryellen T. Thielen, APR, ABC, president, Forest Glen Communications LLC. Thielen earlier was a NIRI Chicago chairman, president and executive vice president.

Vice President, Membership: Jeremy Cohen, senior vice president, investor relations and financial communications, Edelman. This is Cohen’s second year on the NIRI Chicago board. He has served on the IR Workshop committee and was named a NIRI 40 Under 40 honoree in 2019.

Vice President, Treasurer: Martin A. Jarosick, CFA, IRC, vice president of investor relations, CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CF). This is Jarosick’s third year on the NIRI Chicago board. He previously served on the NIRI Atlanta board and 2019 NIRI annual conference committee.

Vice President, Sponsorship: Christine J. Hanneman, senior director of investor relations, ACCO Brands (NYSE: ACCO). Hanneman has managed the chapter’s sponsorship program since 2012 and previously was the chapter’s vice president, treasurer.

Directors

Chairman: Victor J. Jendras, manager of sales, U.S., Q4 Inc. Jendras previously served as NIRI Chicago’s president, executive vice president, vice president of programs and IR Workshop committee member.

Shawn Alcaraz, IRC, director, investor relations, Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE). This is Alcaraz’s first year on the NIRI Chicago board. He is co-chair of the 2021 IR Workshop and has chaired or volunteered on the IR Workshop committee in previous years.

Terri Anne Powers, IRC, vice president of investor relations and corporate communications, CytoSorbents Corp. (Nasdaq: CTSO). Powers previously was NIRI Chicago’s chairman, president, vice president of programs, IR Workshop and NIRI annual conference committee member.

Rainey Wagner, investor relations financial analyst, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT). This is Wagner’s first year on the board. She currently is co-chair of the 2021 IR Workshop and has volunteered on the IR Workshop committee in previous years.

Ruth E. Venning, IRC, executive director, investor relations, Horizon Therapeutics plc (Nasdaq: HZNP). Venning has served in every NIRI Chicago leadership position, most recently as treasurer. She currently is chair of the NIRI national board, a NIRI Senior Roundtable member and a former NIRI annual conference committee member.

Heather J. Wietzel, IRC, vice president of investor relations and enterprise communications, Horace Mann (NYSE: HMN). This is Wietzel’s third year on the NIRI Chicago board. She earlier served as president of the NIRI Cincinnati Tri-State chapter.

NIRI National Recognition

Shep Dunlap, vice president of investor relations, Mondelēz International (Nasdaq: MDLZ), was named to the 2021 NIRI Fellows class in April in recognition of his leadership, integrity, involvement and contributions to the investor relations profession. Dunlap previously served on both the NIRI Chicago and NIRI national boards.

Departing Board Members

NIRI Chicago extends its gratitude to departing board members:

Elizabeth R. Allen, CFA, staff director, investor relations, FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX)
Shep Dunlap, vice president of investor relations, Mondelēz International (Nasdaq: MDLZ)
Victoria Sivrais, founding partner, Clermont Partners and chair-elect, NIRI national board

The Chicago chapter of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI Chicago) provides professional development and networking opportunities to practitioners of investor relations, a strategic management responsibility that integrates finance, communication, marketing and securities law compliance. Through its collaborative community, NIRI advances engagement in the capital markets and drives best practices in corporate disclosures, governance and informed investing. For more information, visit www.niri-chicago.org.