Coby Lyons, Senior Account Executive, Broadridge Financial Solutions

1. How long have you been a NIRI SV member? What prompted you to join?

I have been a NIRI member for 8 years. NIRI provides unique opportunities for me to build relationships and educate myself on trends that are impacting the daily lives of my clients.

2. How has NIRI SV supported you professionally or personally?

I came to my role at Broadridge with little experience in the IR space. NIRI programs were the most effective way to quickly get up to speed on the challenges, opportunities and decision points facing IROs every day.

3. What's your favorite moment or highlight of your career so far?

Last year I was named Outstanding Sales Associate at Broadridge for the corporate space. The award was presented in front of my wife and colleagues, which made the recognition even more meaningful.

4. What's your best piece of advice for IROs?

NIRI offers a wide range of voices and materials offering up best practices in shaping your company’s strategy, but do not be afraid to break the mold and develop your own innovative approach.

Fun Facts

1. What is your favorite thing to do when not working?

Coaching softball & soccer for my two daughters.

2. What is the most exotic place you’ve traveled to?

My junior year of college, I studied abroad at University of Cape Town in South Africa. I’m still waiting to get back.

Stephanie Wakefield, Vice President, Investor Relations, Box

1. How long have you been a NIRI SV member? What prompted you to join?

I have been a NIRI member since 2003. I had been working in product marketing, and when I took the IR role at Informatica, I was incredibly lucky that my CFO recommended I join and get involved in NIRI. My first day in my new IR job was spent at the NIRI Intro to IR Seminar in Santa Monica.

2. How has NIRI SV supported you professionally or personally?

At first NIRI was a great resource to just learn the IR job (about which I had no clue). Over time, it has become an incredible support through all the people I have met through NIRI. The network of other IROs that I can bounce ideas off of, get opinions on situations, and just get advice or support in tougher times is invaluable.

3. What's your favorite moment or highlight of your career so far?

It’s hard to pick a favorite! Being recognized for my work has certainly been a highlight. But, in some ways, the most rewarding/best times have been when we’ve had a tough message to deliver to shareholders. I worked with the team to figure out what happened, what we’re doing about it, and how to describe it correctly to the Street. All the credibility we’d built over the years paid off when we delivered a tough message in a way that people understood and minimized impact to the stock.

4. What's your best piece of advice for IROs?

Get to know people! I always say “it’s called Investor Relations, and not Investor Communications, for a reason.” It’s not about using a bullhorn to get your story out to the Street, it’s about knowing/understanding investors/analysts and building relationships so that you can really get real feedback and provide that to your management team. It’s also about building relationships with your colleagues in the company and with fellow IROs. Those relationships are invaluable when times are tough and make good times even more fun!

Fun Facts

1. What is your favorite thing to do when not working?

I am a passionate skier/snowboarder. In the winter, you can find me on the slopes, teaching my 2 and 3 year old kids to ski.

2. What is the most exotic place you’ve traveled to?

In college, I was lucky to spend a year living/studying/traveling in China. One of most exotic places I got to see was Kashgar which is a small city in far western China, about 60 km from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.