Gary LaBranche steps down as president and CEO of NIRI

Gary LaBranche is leaving NIRI after five years to take up a CEO position at an association elsewhere, IR Magazine can reveal.

Matt Brusch, currently chief operating officer (COO), will step in as interim president and CEO of NIRI from April 1, when LaBranche will assume the title of ‘special adviser to the interim CEO’, staying on until May 31 to assist in the transition.

‘My first public appearance as NIRI CEO was on the stage at the IR Magazine Awards – US in March 2017,’ LaBranche tells IR Magazine. ‘My last appearance as NIRI CEO will be on the stage at the IR Magazine Awards – US in March 2022. I can think of no more appropriate capstone to my time with the IR community!’

In a statement, he adds: ‘I leave NIRI with gratefulness of heart. I have been exceptionally fortunate to have worked alongside tremendous volunteer leaders and amazing staff colleagues. Over the past five years, we overcame extraordinary challenges, strengthened NIRI and advanced the investor relations profession. Serving NIRI and its members has been a great privilege.’

‘Outstanding leadership’

The NIRI board will meet on March 31 to decide next steps, but thanked LaBranche for his contributions during his time as CEO.

‘On behalf of the board of directors, we would like to thank Gary for his outstanding leadership over the last five years,’ says Victoria Sivrais, NIRI board chair and founder of Clermont Partners, in the statement. ‘During his tenure, he has made great strides in strengthening the organization, while at the same time further advancing our profession and navigating through the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic. We wish him well in his future endeavors.

‘We are thrilled to appoint Matt as interim president and CEO. Over the last 15 years, he has supported NIRI in various leadership roles, most recently as COO. We believe his deep understanding of the profession coupled with his institutional knowledge of NIRI will be critical during this transition period.’