Moderator: Steve Wade, head of event content, IR Magazine
Steve Wade is the head of event content at IR Media Group. As a content researcher, conference producer, and event host for IR Magazine and Corporate Secretary, Steve is responsible for gathering intelligence on public companies' most significant global issues. Steve’s team develops events that promote excellence in investor relations, governance, and sustainability for issuers and investors.
Prior to IR Magazine, Steve’s background was in corporate social responsibility and responsible investment. During his time at Ethical Corporation (now Reuters Events), Steve launched the ESG symposium; an event focused on connecting the socially responsible investment community with corporate sustainability leaders at listed companies. Steve was a judge for the Deloitte Green Frog Awards, celebrating the best corporate reporting in Eastern Europe. Steve also presented research at the Global Sustainable Event Summit in London and has spoken about extra-financial reporting with the United Nations Global Compact, the World Bank, and the Polish Ministry of Finance.
Steve has a BSC in Event Management, is a member of working groups toward improved practices in international event management, and enjoys swimming, rugby and outdoor pursuits in his spare time.
Tom Marinaro, VP of IR business development, AlphaSense
As VP of Business Development, Tom Marinaro has worked with AlphaSense's Investor Relations clients since 2018 and now works across the Life Sciences industry managing IR and Corporate Finance partnerships.
Prior to AlphaSense, Tom worked at CFRA Research and GLG (Gerson Lehrman Group) managing buy side relationships.
Samantha Sandler, director, investor relations, SpringWorks Therapeutics
Samantha Hilson Sandler is Director of Investor Relations at SpringWorks Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that applies a precision medicine approach to acquiring, developing, and commercializing life-changing medicines to help patients suffering from devastating cancers live longer, better lives. In her role, Samantha is responsible for the Company’s investor strategies to ensure that SpringWorks is appropriately positioned within the investment community.
Prior to SpringWorks, Samantha was a Vice President with Blackstone Credit where she was focused on investor relations, client service, and business development efforts for funds and accounts globally. Before Samantha joined Blackstone Credit, then known as GSO Capital Partners, she was in healthcare corporate and investment banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Samantha holds a BA in Economics from Northwestern University. She is an active member of resource groups focused on mentorship and advancing the impact of women in business, and enjoys spending her spare time running, skiing, and serving as the family sous chef.
Tiffany Willis, VP, head of investor relations, Starbucks
Tiffany Willis serves as Vice President and Head of Investor Relations for Starbucks, reporting directly to the CFO and indirectly to the CEO and iconic Founder, Howard Shultz. In her role, Willis leads the Company's financial communication strategy for over $100 billion in stock market capitalization to ensure Starbucks is appropriately positioned with the investment community. Under her leadership, she has guided stakeholders through a CEO and Founder transition, unionization pressures and substantial macroeconomic headwinds. Prior to Starbucks, Willis served as Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications Officer for lngredion, serving as the CEO's ghost-writer in the trenches of the COVID-19 pandemic and height of social injustices, elevated by the senseless murder of George Floyd.
Before lngredion, she led Investor Relations at Fiserv and oversaw their $22 billion acquisition of First Data Corporation, as well served as Vice President of Strategy & Operations, overseeing a multi-million-dollar contract within their CFO organization. During her decade at TimeWarner, Willis gained broad international experience from working in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Argentina, as she managed executive sponsored, enterprise-wide and international projects. She possesses deep governance and audit experience from EV and PWC, where she managed a client roster of top Fortune 500 companies, such as The Coca-Cola Company and Heinz.
Additionally, Willis represented the State of Georgia during her reign as Ms. Black Georgia USA. Her reign and longstanding record of community involvement includes an alliance with the Department of Juvenile Justice, as she organized an empowerment group for sexually exploited teenage girls living in group homes. Her body of work and community impact has been recognized by many, including the Executive Women of Goizueta, Congressional Black Caucus and American Association of University Women.
Willis is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Duquesne University, an MBA from Emory University, and graduated from the advanced management program at The Wharton School of Business. She also holds professional certifications in the audit, risk management, operations and IT disciplines, which equips her with a multi-dimensional perspective. She is a member of several professional societies including the National Black MBA Association, National Association of Black Accountants, Pennsylvania and Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Willis also sits on the Duquesne University Accounting Advisory Council Board.
Tiffany and her family live in Atlanta, Georgia. Her and her husband of 15 years, Anthony, stay quite busy raising their teenage son and school-age daughter. As a blended family, they also have three adult sons. Outside of work, she is "that parent" on the bleachers rooting for her kid's sports teams and enjoys spending her spare time volunteering and listening to music.
Her Starbucks favorite is a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino with heavy caramel drizzle.
