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 Corporate Secretary, 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.
David Calusdian, president, Sharon Merrill
David Calusdian is President of Sharon Merrill, a nationally recognized investor relations strategic advisory firm. David joined Sharon Merrill in 1995 and is a passionate communicator with a track record of success advising and coaching clients through critical communications events to maximize key stakeholder value, strengthen relationships and build credibility. David has implemented dozens of successful investor days, including event management, presentation development and speaker coaching. He is a recognized expert in executive presentation coaching and strategic messaging, with decades of experience in coaching C-suite leaders and board members in developing executive presence and dynamic communications skills.
David received both a B.A. and an M.A. in communications from Emerson College. He has served as an adjunct instructor at Emerson College, teaching investor relations, public relations and persuasive speaking. David is a former board member of the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) and president of its Boston chapter, and is a frequent speaker and panelist at conferences sponsored by organizations such as NIRI, NASDAQ, the New York Stock Exchange and the Public Relations Society of America. He has taught NIRI’s “Writing for Investor Relations” seminar since 2011.
Erik Carlson, chief operating officer & chief financial officer, Notified
Erik Carlson is chief operating officer and chief financial officer at Notified, a technology partner for investor relations, public relations, and marketing professionals. He brings over 10 years of M&A, strategic finance, and business transformation experience across private equity portfolio companies in technology, media, pharmaceuticals, and consumer products. Prior to Notified, he was senior vice president of M&A integration at Intrado and director of M&A and strategy advisory at PwC.
Debbie Hancock, senior vice president, investor relations, Hasbro
Debbie has more than 25 years of experience in investor relations. During her career, she has been a key contributor to corporate and business messaging and a trusted advisor to senior management for strategic communications, corporate events, M&A, and crises.
She has been a member of NIRI, the Association for Investor Relations, since the mid-90s and served on the NIRI National Board of Directors. She also served as a subject matter expert on the IRC Question Writing Committee for the inaugural IRC exam and subsequently on the NIRI Certification Council. She previously sat on the NIRI Senior Round Table Steering Committee and has been a speaker at NIRI and IR-focused conferences. Debbie has a BS in Business Administration from the University of Vermont and a Certificate in Investor Relations from Bentley College.
Debbie and her companies’ IR programs have been recognized over the years by IR Magazine and Institutional Investor Magazine.
Mark Macaluso, vice president, investor relations and global communications, ITT
Mark leads the development and execution of ITT's global investor relations strategy and serves as the Company's primary liaison with its shareholders and the investment community. He was also recently named chief communications officer for ITT. Macaluso joined ITT in 2021 after more than 12 years at Honeywell where he held various financial leadership positions, most recently serving as vice president of financial planning and analysis for one of Honeywell's four strategic business groups. Previously, Macaluso served for five years as vice president of investor relations at Honeywell where he led the company's investor relations strategy through several transformational events. Macaluso was recognized by Institutional Investor for three consecutive years as the top investor relations officer in his sector. Macaluso also held corporate development and M&A roles at Honeywell earlier in his career. Prior to Honeywell, Macaluso worked in the transaction services advisory group at PricewaterhouseCoopers and the assurance practice at KPMG. He holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from the Carroll School of Management at Boston College. He currently resides in West New York, NJ with his 7-year old son, Harrison.
