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by The Notified Team on Jun 3, 2025 1:52:03 PM
Working in investor relations, you know how hectic it can get - earnings calls, analyst meetings, internal requests and shareholder updates all competing for your time.
That’s why we asked a group of IR leaders to share how they stay on top of their work, maintain focus and avoid burning out.
Keep reading to learn the key takeaways from our recent webinar with IR Impact!
How Leading IROs Master Time Management: Expert Insights
Develop a Time Management Plan for Focus and Protection
Your whole day can get thrown off by last-minute requests. But having a clear plan in place can help you stay focused.
Katie Keita, IR Lead at Kneat.com, shared: “I like to make a quarterly plan in a PowerPoint slide - just one slide that outlines everything from earnings calls to conferences to internal initiatives. That way, if I get asked to do something new, I can point to the plan and say, ‘OK, but here’s what I’m already doing - what should we move around?’”
Having this kind of plan not only keeps you organized but also makes your workload more visible across the business.
How Do You Communicate Expectations Internally?
When everyone knows what to expect, there are fewer last-minute fire drills. That’s why setting boundaries and educating internal stakeholders is so important.
Lisa Caperelli, former VP of IR at Arbutus Biopharma, advised: “You need to educate internal teams - especially new executives - on what your role involves and when they can expect updates. It helps reduce the panic pings and unnecessary fire drills.”
She also emphasized the importance of developing strong working relationships across teams. It makes collaboration smoother and saves time in the long run.
How Can IROs Use Technology More Effectively?
With so many digital tools available, it’s easy to get lost in them. The key is using the right tech to support your priorities - not create more noise.
Erik Carlson, Chief Operating Officer at Notified, explained: “It’s all about making sure your tools are solving the right problems. For example, AI can help you extract key themes from earnings transcripts, so you can be more efficient with your messaging prep.”
But Carlson also warned against overreliance on automation. At the end of the day, the human element still matters in IR - especially when it comes to building trust with investors.
Mastering the Power of "No" - Set Boundaries with Confidence
Not every request is urgent and not every idea needs to be actioned. Our panelists stressed the importance of knowing when to say “no” - or at least “not now.”
As Keita put it: “IROs need to be diplomats. You’re managing up, across and down. Saying ‘no’ isn’t about being difficult - it’s about making sure you’re doing the right things, not just all the things.”
Unlock Your Focus Time: Proven Methods for Deep Work
Lastly, make room for deep work. Whether it’s blocking out a few hours each morning or scheduling “quiet time” on your calendar, carving out time to think and plan is essential.
Caparelli shared: “During earnings season, I block off big chunks of my calendar. That’s when I need to be heads down, prepping scripts or talking to investors. You must protect that time.”
Watch Our On-Demand Webinar for More Insights
Time management in IR isn’t just about being efficient - it’s about being intentional. Our panelists reminded us that a little planning, prioritizing and proactive communication goes a long way.
From using AI to prep messaging to setting boundaries with internal teams, the ideas shared in this webinar can help any IRO reclaim their time and reduce burnout.
If you missed the live session, you can watch the full webinar on demand.
About Our Panelists
Lisa Caperelli – Former VP or IR at Arbutus Biopharma
Lisa has over two decades of experience in investor relations and corporate communications within the biotech and life sciences sectors. As Vice President of Investor Relations at Arbutus Biopharma, she led initiatives for a publicly traded company focused on chronic hepatitis B. Prior to Arbutus, Lisa oversaw investor relations at Harmony Biosciences, where she played a key role in the company's IPO and the launch of its first FDA-approved product. She is actively involved with the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) and is passionate about mentoring IR professionals.
Erik Carlson – Chief Operating Officer, Notified
Erik is COO at Notified, a global leader in investor and public relations communications technology. He oversees Product Development, Global Operations & Services, Customer Operations and the Office of the CFO, driving innovation, efficiency and long-term growth. With over 15 years of experience in corporate strategy, finance and operations, Erik has led high-impact initiatives at Notified since 2018, including M&A integration and financial transformation.
Katie Keita – Investor Relations Lead, kneat.com
Katie is a seasoned investor relations professional with over 25 years of experience. She has held IR leadership roles at companies like Shopify, EMC and CBIZ. Currently, she leads investor relations at kneat.com, a rapidly growing public software company in Canada. Katie brings deep expertise in strategic messaging, storytelling and relationship building. A former board member of both CIRI and NIRI, she has earned several awards from IR Magazine and Institutional Investor.
Steve Wade (Moderator) – Head of Content, IR Impact
Steve leads the content strategy at IR Impact and Governance Intelligence, where he oversees the creation of resources such as conferences, guides and podcasts tailored for the investor relations and governance communities. With a background in ESG and sustainability, Steve has spoken at prominent events for the UN and World Bank and has served as a judge for the Deloitte Green Frog Awards. He was recently named NIRI’s 2025 Rising Leaders Under 40.
About Notified
We are Notified, and your story goes here. As the only technology partner dedicated to both investor relations and public relations professionals, we help you control and amplify your corporate narrative. Our fully integrated PR and IR platforms streamline every step—whether it's reaching the right media, press release distribution, and measurement or designing new IR websites, managing investor days, earnings releases, and regulatory filings. Connecting both worlds, GlobeNewswire is one of the world's largest and most trusted newswire distribution networks, serving leading organizations for over 30 years. Together, we empower communicators to inform a better world.
Notified is an affiliate of Equiniti Group Limited (EQ)
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