CIRI Awards the Belle Mulligan Scholarship for the 2013/2014 CIRI/Ivey Investor Relations Certification Program to Melanie McCreath

TORONTO, June 3, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Investor Relations Institute (CIRI) has awarded the Belle Mulligan Scholarship for the CIRI/Ivey Investor Relations Certification Program and Certified Professional in Investor Relations (CPIR) exam to Melanie McCreath, Director of Compliance and Communications and the Corporate Secretary for Search Minerals Inc. Melanie was awarded the scholarship at CIRI's 26^th Annual Investor Relations Conference in Whistler.

"Melanie joined the investor relations profession three years ago and has made a concerted effort to enhance her knowledge of the profession through educational programs offered by CIRI and other organizations," said Yvette Lokker, President and CEO, CIRI. "She has also participated in the CIRI Ontario Mentorship Program, further demonstrating her commitment to the profession and to professional development."

"I am honoured to be this year's recipient of the Belle Mulligan Scholarship for the CPIR program, and I am excited to begin the program in September. Thank you to CIRI, Len Mulligan and Jane Watson for selecting me for this generous scholarship," said Melanie McCreath, Director, Compliance and Communications and Corporate Secretary, Search Minerals Inc.

CIRI has partnered with the Richard Ivey School of Business, Canada's top ranking business school, to develop a program that covers all relevant areas of the multi-disciplinary role of investor relations. This 10-month program is delivered through a combination of online and in-person classes. Once individuals have successfully completed the program, they may write an examination offered through CIRI to become a Certified Professional in Investor Relations (CPIR). The first program commenced in September 2011.

This Scholarship, which will be awarded annually, recognizes individuals who have chosen investor relations (IR) as their career and are keen to participate in this program to help them excel in IR through a deeper knowledge of the key areas of this dynamic profession.

It is being given in honour of the late Belle Mulligan (1940-2009) who 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.

"Melanie's personal development and accomplishments in Investor Relations since entering this field three years ago make her a worthy recipient of this award. I know Belle would be pleased with Melanie's selection," 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 approximately 600 members and four chapters across the country, CIRI is the voice of IR in Canada. For further information, please visit www.ciri.org.

SOURCE: Canadian Investor Relations Institute

Yvette Lokker
President & CEO, CIRI
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