CIRI Welcomes Yvette Lokker as New President and CEO

TORONTO, Jan. 9, 2013 /CNW/ - George Kesteven, Chairman of the Canadian Investor Relations Institute (CIRI) Board of Directors, is pleased to welcome Yvette Lokker as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of CIRI effective January 1, 2013.

Ms. Lokker takes the reins of the organization when it is financially stable and well positioned for growth. "The CIRI team has worked hard over the past several years to ensure the organization is recognized as the authority on investor relations in Canada. We have established an investor relations certification program, offered high-quality publications and professional development and advocated for greater transparency in the Canadian capital market," said Ms. Lokker. "As the role of investor relations continues to grow and be recognized for its strategic value, CIRI will continue to enhance its offerings to meet the evolving needs of our members," added Ms. Lokker.

Ms. Lokker joined CIRI in 2008 as the Director of Communications and Professional Development and was promoted to Vice President in the fall of 2011. In addition to her many accomplishments, Ms. Lokker was responsible for establishing the first investor relations certification program in North America in partnership with the Richard Ivey School of Business. The first group of Certified Professionals in Investor Relations (CPIR) graduated in the fall of 2012.

"On behalf of CIRI's Board of Directors we are delighted to have Yvette assume the role of President and CEO.  She is an enthusiastic supporter of the investor relations profession and possesses the managerial depth and knowledge to advance CIRI's strategic imperatives," said Mr. Kesteven. "We also wish to recognize and thank Tom Enright for his leadership over the past four years and wish him the best as he graduates to new opportunities," added Mr. Kesteven.

CIRI wishes to express its sincere gratitude to the outgoing President and CEO, Tom Enright. In his tenure as President and CEO, Mr. Enright brought financial stability to the organization while focusing on membership value and growth, certification, pro-active advocacy efforts and top-notch professional development.

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 650 members and four chapters across the country, CIRI is the voice of IR in Canada. For further information, please visit www.ciri.org.

Image with caption: "Yvette Lokker, President & CEO, CIRI (CNW Group/Canadian Investor Relations Institute)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130109_C4820_PHOTO_EN_22376.jpg

SOURCE: Canadian Investor Relations Institute

For further information:

George Kesteven
Chairman, CIRI National Board
Manager, Corporate & Investor Relations, Sterling Resources
[phone]
[e-mail]