CIRI Announces 2012 Recipients for the Award for Excellence and the Belle Mulligan Award for Leadership in Investor Relations

TORONTO, June 11, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Investor Relations Institute (CIRI) is pleased to announce that David Carey has been chosen as the 24^th recipient of the Award for Excellence in Investor Relations and Sonya Mehan has been chosen as the 3^rd recipient of the Belle Mulligan Award for Leadership in Investor Relations. These individuals were honoured at CIRI's 25^th Annual Investor Relations Conference in Montreal, Quebec this afternoon.

Award for Excellence in Investor Relations

The Award for Excellence in Investor Relations is given by CIRI to honour individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the investor relations profession and to the Institute.

David Carey is a highly regarded investor relations executive and a dedicated CIRI volunteer. He has over 30 years of diverse experience in the Canadian and international energy industries covering exploration, project evaluations, production, finance and investor relations. Mr. Carey is the Senior Vice President, Capital Markets at ARC Resources, where he is responsible for ARC's government and investor relations, as well as corporate governance activities. From 1999 to 2001, he held the dual roles of Director, Investor Relations at Gulf Canada Resources Ltd., and Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Athabasca Oil Sands Trust. Mr. Carey holds both an Honours BSc in Geological Engineering and an MBA from Queen's University. Mr. Carey has committed seven years of volunteer service to the organization, holding the position of Chair CIRI's Board of Directors among others. Through his leadership and counsel he has made a tremendous contribution to the organization.

"Through his own career, David has expanded the scope of responsibilities shouldered by the investor relations professional, raising the bar for every practicing IRO," said Elaine Wyatt, 2011 Award recipient and Principal, Wyatt Strategic Communications. "Over the years, he has also used his knowledge and talents to strengthen CIRI, our profession and the capabilities of our members. David was selected unanimously by his peers for this prestigious award in recognition of his influence and contribution." 

"David has not only shared his wealth of investor relations and capital market knowledge with CIRI and our members, but has also demonstrated exceptional leadership," said Tom Enright, CIRI President & CEO. "He has made a tremendous contribution in his role as Chair of the National Board and has enhanced our governance practices as Chair of the Human Resource and Corporate Governance Committee."

Belle Mulligan Award for Leadership in Investor Relations

The Belle Mulligan Award for Leadership in Investor Relations is given by CIRI in honour of the late Belle Mulligan to recognize individuals who have shown singular leadership in one or more aspects of the practice of investor relations.

Belle Mulligan (1940-2009) will long be remembered as a leader and standard setter in the IR profession, and a founder of CIRI. Her passion for IR began through her association with NIRI in the early 1970s. When she returned to Canada in 1981, she joined a small cadre of IR leaders here to develop NIRI Canada, now CIRI. She served on both the CIRI and NIRI Boards, and was a frequent speaker at IR events. She was respected for her integrity, which cemented her credibility, and she was cited by one analyst as "adding 10% to the valuation" of the senior gold mining company she represented. Her professionalism won her many admirers, and her engaging personality and generous heart won her a wide circle of friends. She was a mentor to many IROs, urging them to set their sights high within their organizations.

Sonya Mehan is Manager, Investor Relations at Open Text Corporation, Canada's largest software company. Throughout her career, she has had a succession of corporate and investor communications roles at several publicly listed technology companies including Teledyne Dalsa, MKS a PTC Company, Sybase an SAP company, and Harris Corporation. Ms. Mehan has an Honours Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional Writing and Management Studies and has successfully completed the Canadian Securities Course. She is an active member of the CIRI Ontario Board of Directors serving as Co-Chair of the Mentorship and Membership Committees, and Chair of the CIRI Ontario Professional of the Year Award sub-Committee.

"Sonya has led such initiatives as the CIRI Ontario Professional of the Year Award and the Mentorship Breakfast Series," said Tom Enright, CIRI President & CEO. "Through her innovation she is cultivating the next generation of investor relations professionals and recognizing leaders in the field."

"Sonya's active participation on the CIRI Ontario board and championing of the Chapters' mentorship program to appeal to a growing number of CIRI members through the Mentorship Breakfast Series makes her an ideal candidate for this Award. Her leadership and commitment to supporting others exemplify qualities that Belle admired," said Len Mulligan, Belle's husband.

About CIRI

CIRI is a professional, not-for-profit association of executives responsible for communication between public corporations, investors and the financial community. CIRI contributes to the transparency and integrity of the Canadian capital market by advancing the practice of investor relations, the professional competency of its members and the stature of the profession. With more than 600 members and four chapters across the country, CIRI is the voice of IR in Canada. For further information, please visit www.ciri.org.

Yvette Lokker
Vice President, Communications & Professional Development, CIRI
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