Fortis
Stephanie Amaimo, Fortis
1. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN IR? Approximately eight years. 2. WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE IR? I’ve worked in finance, treasury and risk management. 3. WHAT ARE YOUR QUALIFICATIONS? I have an MBA from Wayne State University and a BBA from the University of Michigan-Dearborn. 4. HOW IS YOUR TEAM SET UP? The core team is based in St John’s, Newfoundland and I am based in Michigan. It’s a relatively small team with a manager, analyst and assistant. I also work with representatives from our local operating utilities. 5. HOW MANY ROADSHOWS AND INVESTOR CONFERENCES DO YOU TAKE PART IN EACH YEAR? Last year we participated in approximately 10 conferences and 15 virtual and in-person non-deal roadshows. I participated in around 50 percent of these events. 6. DO YOU EVER HOLD INVESTOR OR CAPITAL MARKETS DAYS? Yes. Investor days provide an opportunity for our large investors and analysts to interact with our executive leadership team and learn more about our plans for the future. 7. DO YOU USE SOCIAL MEDIA AS PART OF YOUR IR PROGRAM? Yes, we do. Our communications team has direct responsibility for social media. We co-ordinate with it for key announcements such as investor days, earnings calls, annual shareholder meetings, and so on. 8. DO YOU RECEIVE SUPPORT FROM ANY EXTERNAL IR FIRMS? No, not at this time. 9. WHAT IS THE MOST POPULAR QUESTION FROM ANALYSTS AND INVESTORS RIGHT NOW? ESG has increasingly been an area of focus for investors and analysts and we have taken measures to improve our sustainability message because it spans all aspects of our business. Whether we are talking about our growth plans for a clean energy future, employee safety, diversity and inclusion or good corporate governance, ESG is central to our discussions. We have also received numerous calls this year on the effects the Covid-19 pandemic is having on our business. 10. IS ESG A FOCAL POINT FOR INVESTORS AND, IF SO, WHICH ASPECT IS MOST SCRUTINIZED? Fortis is predominately an energy delivery company with 93 percent of our assets comprising transmission and distribution assets. We have a great ‘E’ story to share when it comes to ESG. Given the tremendous opportunity for the sector to reduce carbon emissions and deliver a cleaner energy future, we spend time explaining how our business is well positioned to support a low-carbon future. 11. WHAT’S BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF YOUR IR CAREER? To date, my biggest challenge – and most rewarding time in IR – was leading the investor relations function at ITC when Fortis acquired it for $11.3 bn in 2016. As part of the acquisition, we delisted ITC from the NYSE and listed Fortis on the exchange. Upon closing, I joined the IR team at Fortis. 12. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT IR? My favorite aspect of investor relations is the continuous learning that happens in this role and how we can use that knowledge to better tell the company story to investors.
13. AND YOUR LEAST FAVORITE? None – I’m very grateful to have the opportunity to work in IR. 14. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING OUTSIDE WORK? I enjoy spending time with my husband and two boys (aged 10 and 12) and volunteering with Gleaners Food Bank to serve senior living communities. 15. IF YOU COULD PASS ON ONE IR LESSON, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Plan ahead and stay flexible. As we’ve seen in 2020 with the markets and the pandemic across the globe, life can be unpredictable at times. Stay focused on controlling what you can control during these times.
