Connecting sustainability, strategy, and the capital markets

I help companies identify what matters to their business and investors, build research-backed strategic priorities, and communicate their story clearly and credibly.

My experience combines sustainability advisory, investor relations, and capital markets intelligence, with a focus on connecting business performance, stakeholder expectations, and long-term value.

Sudarshan Setlur

Sudarshan Setlur

My Story

My career in capital markets began on a 65cc scooter in India. As a retail broker,  I specialized in selling IPOs to high-net-worth professionals. Navigating traffic, waiting for  doctors and lawyers to make time for my pitch, and succinctly translating the language of capital markets into actionable information, allowed me to build a loyal client base and taught me the virtues of patience and tenacity.

I developed a not-so-secret love for America early. Posters of Michael Jordan and Bon Jovi, tapes of Hollywood films, ambassadors of America’s soft power, filled the bedrooms of my youth.

I left the temperate climate of Bengaluru, India and landed in the frozen tundra of a Rochester, NY winter to begin my MBA. Before long, I was learning the art and science of solving unstructured problems, in and out of the classroom. As a student of modest means, I kept track of campus events with the best food and drink on offer. The inability to afford a car led to barter deals with my Japanese classmates - trips to grocery stores in exchange for help understanding American idioms and sarcasm (thanks Hollywood!)

All that hustle brought me to the Big Apple after graduation (where else!) and a Capital Markets Advisory role.

My focus over the years has been helping companies answer four questions:

  • Who are my shareholders?

  • Why have they invested?

  • Who else could invest?

  • What messages must I deliver?

Over time, sustainability became an increasingly important part of those conversations. Having grown up in India, where I witnessed both environmental challenges and economic transformation, I came to appreciate the importance of connecting sustainability with business performance and long-term value creation.

My work evolved from analyzing investors and their expectations to helping companies identify sustainability issues that matter to their businesses, establish strategic priorities, and communicate progress credibly. Most recently, at Corbin Advisors, I advised public companies on sustainability strategy, materiality assessments, stakeholder engagement, and corporate reporting.

What I enjoy most is making sense of complex information, connecting the dots, and helping people turn research and insights into practical decisions and compelling communications.

  • Sustainability Strategy & Communications

    • Materiality Assessments & Stakeholder Engagement; Sustainability Strategy & Prioritization; Corporate Reporting & Disclosures

  • Investor Relations & Capital Markets

    • Shareholder Analysis & Investor Targeting; Investor Expectations & Market Intelligence; Investment Story & Strategic Messaging

  • Research, Insights & Innovation

    • Investor Research & Peer Benchmarking; Strategic Insights & Business Intelligence; AI-Enabled Analysis & Reporting

Though my career has come a long way, at heart I am still that young entrepreneur on a scooter in India, learning, adapting, and growing with my clients.

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  • Corbin Advisors, Vice President, ESG Advisory (2021 - present)

  • Guru Advisory LLC , Founder and Consultant  (2020 - 2021 )

  • IHS Markit, Director, Research & Analysis (2018 – 2020)

  • Ipreo, Director, Global Markets Intelligence (2008 - 2018)

  • CapitalBridge, Vice President, Markets Intelligence, Europe  (2006 – 2008)

  • Earlier Experiences: 

    • Georgeson & Co., Associate, Capital Markets Advisory

    • Karvy Computershare, The Retail Broker on a Scooter


 

 Selected Organizations I’ve Supported

 Testimonials

"Sudarshan was a trusted partner for Deutsche Telekom/T-Mobile US for many years. His professionalism, quality of work, and responsiveness were always of the highest caliber. He was a true extension of the investor relations team. I consider Sudi to be one of the best in the business."

Nils Paellmann

Award-winning IRO and Finance Professional and former VP and Head of Investor Relations at T-Mobile

"Sudarshan is one of the most knowledgeable and emotionally intelligent individuals I have had the privilege of working with. I would consistently use him as a resource, whether it be a question about a major sovereign wealth fund or career advice - I knew I could rely on his counsel."

Rachel Glascock

Investor Relations, Chubb

"Sudarshan’s analytical mind and amiable personality made it a pleasure to collaborate with him over the 17 years I knew him professionally. His ability to clearly convey his thoughts and analysis was a stand-out trait."

Erica Joubert

International Trade Manager - Europe, Wesgro

"I found my almost 20 years working with Sudarshan to be extremely insightful and rewarding. His clients and colleagues would all agree that he is an expert on best practices in the world of investor relations."

Brad Pottberg

Director, Research & Analysis IHS Markit

 Selected Professional Writing

 

 

Other Writings