ESG Talk

Ann Tracy, chief sustainability officer, and Lauren Richardson, chief procurement officer, of Colgate-Palmolive, join ESG Talk with Alyssa Zucker to discuss how collaboration and innovation drive sustainability in the CPG industry. They share insights on Colgate-Palmolive's journey as the first multinational consumer company to have net-zero goals approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and how teamwork and creativity help reach sustainability goals.

During Climate Week NYC, Workiva released a report with research on how companies are getting ready for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and how practitioners feel about it. Dig into the findings in this crossover episode with ESG Talk host Mandi McReynolds, Off the Books host Steve Soter, and Workiva Industry Principals Alyssa Zucker and Esther Toth.

Check out the full report.

In this episode of ESG Talk, Caitlin Leibert, vice president of sustainability at Whole Foods Market, joins host Alyssa Zucker to explore how technology, supply chain engagement, and industry partnerships are driving sustainability strategies. The duo discuss key takeaways from Whole Foods' 2023 Impact Report, highlighting the company’s commitment to responsible stewardship, sustainable sourcing, and transparency. 

This week’s ESG Talk episode features Michael Littenberg and Marc Rotter of Ropes & Gray, one of the world's premier law firms with over 1,500 attorneys worldwide. The duo joins Andie Wood to discuss the complexities of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and explore its far-reaching implications for businesses in Europe and beyond.

In this week’s episode of ESG Talk, Anke Ehlers, managing director of international sustainability at the ALDI SOUTH Group, joins Workiva’s Andie Wood to discuss the complexities of the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Tune in as they discuss what this new regulation means for European companies and the steps the ALDI SOUTH Group, one of the world’s largest supermarket chains, is taking to prepare for its implementation.

Recorded live at Amplify Americas, this special episode of ESG Talk features Ron Insana, award-winning journalist from CNBC, moderating an insightful discussion with industry leaders: Katherine Neebe, Chief Sustainability Officer at Duke Energy; Alexander Davis, Deputy Chief Financial Officer at Pie Insurance; Maura Hodge, KPMG’s U.S. sustainability leader; and Kim Huffman, Chief Information Officer at Workiva. Together, they explore how reporting professionals can leverage data and foster cross-functional collaboration to effectively navigate the rapid changes shaping the ESG landscape.

In this episode of ESG Talk, Tom Rayner, founder of Sillion, a transition consultancy focused on corporate ESG, and Ian Plummer, the commercial director of Auto Trader Group, the largest automotive marketplace in the United Kingdom join Andie Wood. Tune in as they discuss the sustainability skills gap and share practical advice and lessons learned from successfully implementing a carbon literacy program for over 1,000 professionals.

In this episode of ESG Talk, Sara Kappelmark, Co-CEO of Norrsken Foundation, and host Mandi McReynolds explore how startups are driving transformative change across industries. Sara shares insights from the foundation’s 2024 Impact 100 list, highlighting groundbreaking solutions in renewable energy, carbon-free cement, and healthcare.

In the fourth and final episode of the ESG Talk Climate Week series, Nancy Mahon, chief sustainability officer of the Estée Lauder Companies, joins host Alyssa Zucker to discuss the company’s approach to Scope 3 measurement and reporting. They cover the impact of consumer sustainability preferences and the unique challenges of leading sustainability efforts across a diverse portfolio of brands.

In the third installment of ESG Talk’s Climate Week series, Frank Koch, CEO of Swiss Steel Group, and Alberto Carrillo Pineda, CTO of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), join Mandi McReynolds to discuss long-term decarbonization strategies, the steel industry's commitment to sustainable production, and the importance of full emissions transparency.

In the second episode of the ESG Talk Climate Week series, Amelia DeLuca, Delta Air Lines’ chief sustainability officer, speaks with Andie Wood about Delta Air Lines’ strategies for reducing its direct carbon emissions and efforts to increase sustainable aviation fuel production within the airline industry.

In this special Climate Week episode, ESG Talk and The Week in Sustainability team up to demystify greenhouse gas emissions. Join us as hosts Steve Soter, Andie Wood, and Alyssa Zucker kick off a four-part series focused on practical solutions for carbon accounting, management, and achieving net-zero goals.

In part two of this special 100th episode series of  ESG Talk, we continue our conversation with Amalgamated Bank's CEO, Priscilla Sims Brown, and CFO, Jason Darby, to discuss how they use technology to drive the company's mission-driven business model and share actionable insights for other organizations.

In this special 100th episode of ESG Talk, we kick off a two-part series with Priscilla Sims Brown, CEO of Amalgamated Bank, Jason Darby, CFO, and special guest host Kim Huffman, CIO of Workiva. Discover how the bank has aligned its entire organization around a century-old mission, while driving a modern, socially responsible business.

In the second installment of a series exploring sustainable finance, co-host Andie Wood meets with Maria Lettini, CEO of the US Sustainable Investment Forum (SIF), and Kevin Thomas, CEO of the Shareholder Association for Research and Education (SHARE), to discuss how sustainable investors influence corporate sustainability strategy and ESG reporting.

The first installment of a two-part series, this episode explores sustainable finance from the perspective of Germany's leading bank. Jörg Eigendorf, Deutsche Bank’s Chief Sustainability Officer, joins co-host Mandi McReynolds to discuss the organization’s sustainability strategy, its sustainable finance framework and how the bank supports its clients with their transitions.

Michael Schor, partner in Deloitte & Touche LLP’s Risk & Financial Advisory practice, and Grant Ostler, GRC industry principal at Workiva, join co-host Steve Soter for the latest episode of ESG Talk. The group explores the risks of unintentional greenwashing, external pressure on sustainability reporting, and how good governance builds truth and transparency. 

Julia Binder, professor of sustainable innovation and business transformation at IMD Business School, and Manuel Braun, director of Systemiq and lecturer at the Technical University of Munich, join co-host Andie Wood to share how businesses can integrate circularity into existing frameworks, illustrated by successful, real-world case studies.

Matt Kelly, editor and CEO of Radical Compliance, and Matthew Williams, ESG solutions lead at Clearview, join co-host Steve Soter to explore how cybersecurity and ESG intersect. Together, they discuss the challenges of assessing the importance of cybersecurity events, a year after the SEC introduced new rules on disclosing such incidents.

Bhushan Sethi, partner in PwC’s Strategy& consulting business and adjunct professor at NYU Stern School of Business, returns to the show alongside best-selling author and keynote speaker Stan Phelps. Stan, Bhushan, and co-host Mandi McReynolds discuss the significance of trust and transparency in employee engagement and the relationship between well-being and financial performance.

In this episode of ESG Talk, Brett Weaver, tax leader for the ESG Practice at KPMG US, joins Workiva’s Andie Wood to discuss everyone’s favorite topic. Together they explore how tax acts as both a driver and measure of sustainability, taking advantage of green tax incentives, and the different approaches to tax policy in the United States and Europe.

In this episode of ESG Talk, host Mandi McReynolds reflects on her conversation with AT&T's Chief Sustainability Officer, Charlene Lake. They discuss the importance of achieving audit-ready ESG data and the crucial role technology plays in tracking and reporting emissions data.

Laura Lane, chief corporate affairs and sustainability officer at UPS, joins Workiva’s Andie Wood to explore how one of the world’s largest package delivery companies is tackling emissions reduction. Listen in as they discuss the importance of leveraging data to drive down emissions, optimize investments, and achieve sustainability goals.

Jim Andrew, PepsiCo’s chief sustainability officer, joins Workiva’s Mandi McReynolds to discuss sustainable agriculture. Listen in as they explore forging trust and accountability in the supply chain, the concept of shared value, and the role of partnership in achieving ESG goals.

Tarynn Zenk, vice president of accounting and ESG controller at Mastercard, joins co-host Mandi McReynolds on the latest episode of ESG Talk to discuss the growing role of ESG controllers within companies. Discover how ESG controllers navigate the intersection of finance and sustainability, safeguarding the credibility of companies' ESG disclosures.

Garrett Quinn, group chief sustainability officer at Smurfit Kappa Group, one of the leading providers of paper-based packaging, and Robert Eccles, a leading authority on sustainability, join co-host Andie Wood on the latest ESG Talk episode. Listen in as they explore the intricacies of navigating sustainability and financial performance, achieving sustainability targets, and Smurfit Kappa's journey with implementing the Taskforce for Nature-related Financial Disclosures.

Shivaram Rajgopal, chair of the accounting division at Columbia Business School, and Gihan Hyde, founder and CEO of Communique, join co-host Mandi McReynolds on the latest episode of ESG Talk. Listen in as they discuss their advice for current and emerging leaders as well as how sustainability adds soul to accounting and could attract more people to the profession.

Eric Alam, CEO of RPD Energy, and Chris Pennington, director of energy and sustainability for Iron Mountain, join co-host Mandi McReynolds on ESG Talk to discuss the journey to carbon-free data centers. Listen in as they explore the surging electricity demands of modern data centers and the decisions that led Iron Mountain to pursue 24x7 carbon-free energy.

John Turner, CEO of XBRL International, and Wes Bricker, vice chair and trust solutions co-leader at PwC US, join Workiva’s Andie Wood to explore the impact of digitization on ESG reporting. Discover how XBRL taxonomies make it easier to share and analyze data and their role in corporate sustainability. 

In this episode of ESG Talk, Steve Manocchio, head of global financial compliance and risk management at Cisco, meets with Workiva’s Steve Soter to discuss incorporating climate data into financial disclosures and how assurance, technology, and community advance ESG initiatives.

Anthony Pugliese, president and CEO of the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), joins co-host Mandi McReynolds to discuss global internal audit standards and their impact on corporate governance, risk management, and ESG reporting. From enhancing collaboration among teams to leveraging technology for audit programs, tune in as they discuss how organizations can adapt to today's dynamic business environment.

To register for IIA’s Sustainability Audit Risk Assurance Virtual Conference on June 20, visit: https://www.theiia.org/en/events/conference/virtual-conferences/esg-virtual-conference/  

In this episode, we welcome back to the show Alex Edmans, professor of finance at London Business School and author of May Contain Lies, to discuss data gaps, including ESG metrics, with co-host Andie Wood. They delve into the complexities of data interpretation, the nuances of ESG reporting, and the importance of contextualizing data within a broader narrative for effective communication and decision-making.

Julian Kölbel, assistant professor at the University of St. Gallen and a research affiliate at the MIT Sloan School of Management, joins co-host Mandi McReynolds for a discussion on ESG rating agencies. Listen in as they delve into his research on sustainable investing with a focus on ESG ratings, the disagreement between different rating agencies, and how it affects investors and companies.

For more information on Julian’s work, check out his research: Aggregate Confusion: The Divergence of ESG Ratings.

Miguel Sossa, vice president and sustainability GTM lead for Capgemini Americas, joins co-host Andie Wood to discuss the role supply chains play within ESG. They explore the pragmatic approaches necessary to advance towards a more sustainable world, tackling the urgent need for sustainable supply chains, and the challenge that Scope 3 emissions pose in measuring a company’s carbon footprint.

In this episode of ESG Talk, host Andie Wood looks back on a conversation with Nadja Picard, partner and global reporting leader at PwC Germany. The duo explores how ESG reporting can drive operational change, the advantages of interoperability in standards, and the pivotal roles of CEOs and CFOs in spearheading ESG initiatives.

In this special crossover episode, ESG Talk and Off The Books dive into the long-awaited SEC climate disclosure rule. Jonathan Gregory of The Hershey Company and Alan Wilson of WilmerHale and hosts Steve Soter, Mandi McReynolds, and Andie Wood discuss what the new requirements mean for practitioners, investors, and the future of financial and ESG reporting.

Helle Bank Jorgensen, CEO of Competent Boards, and Paul Washington, executive director of The Conference Board ESG Center, join co-host Mandi McReynolds to discuss the pivotal role that boards play in advancing and achieving corporate sustainability objectives. Listen in as they discuss how boards prepare to meet today’s economic, environmental, and social challenges.

Alison Taylor, clinical associate professor at NYU Stern School of Business and author, joins co-host Mandi McReynolds to discuss the role of business in society, including stakeholder capitalism, employee engagement, and measuring impact with data and technology. Listen in as they explore how ESG fits within the bigger picture of driving societal progress and achieving long-term value creation for all stakeholders.

Jeannie Renné-Malone, vice president of global sustainability for VF Corporation, and Tim Tensen, chief operating officer for Terra Genesis, join co-host Andie Wood to discuss regenerative agriculture and the transformative potential of their partnership in fueling product innovation and creating a sustainable supply chain. Learn how this initiative is paving the way for a more environmentally conscious future in the apparel and footwear industry.

Mandi McReynolds looks back on her conversation on the value of collaboration in ESG with Noel Kinder, chief sustainability officer at Nike, and Brian Matt, head of ESG advisory at the New York Stock Exchange. Listen in as the trio discusses ESG's role as a catalyst for product innovation, and explores the value of collaboration and how we can learn from each other to address the biggest challenges of our time.

Tensie Whelan, Director of NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business, and Jackie Murphy, former Managing Director of Edelman Purpose & Impact, join co-host Andie Wood to discuss a consumer brand study the two organizations partnered on around sustainability claims, exploring impact and performance across diverse consumer groups. Listen in to learn about the best practices for creating action-backed messages and promoting sustainability effectively.

Katherine Neebe, chief sustainability and philanthropy officer at Duke Energy, joins co-host Mandi McReynolds to discuss the company’s commitment to one of the largest clean energy transitions in North America. Mandi and Katherine explore the role of energy companies in ESG, including how to achieve a balanced energy transition while meeting the diverse needs of customers and stakeholders. 

Brandon B. Buhler, SVP and chief accounting officer at Playa Hotels & Resorts, and Melanie Glover, partner in PwC’s ESG Trust Solutions practice, join co-host Steve Soter to discuss assurance and integrated reporting. They navigate the nuances of collaborating with a professional services firm and adopting a robust approach to ESG reporting akin to financial reporting.

Cognizant’s head of ESG, Aya Kiy-Morrocco, and Amelia Pan, managing director in the strategic advisory group of PJT Partners, join co-host Mandi McReynolds to discuss how sustainability leaders can partner with their C-suite and boards to advance ESG strategy and meet stakeholder demands for transparency, accountability, and action.

Read the 2023 Workiva's Global Practitioner Survey: https://www.workiva.com/resources/2023-global-esg-practitioner-survey

Mandi McReynolds, Steve Soter, Andie Wood, and Ernest Anunciacion are back to kick off the third season of ESG Talk. The group revisits thought-provoking conversations from season two — including insights on sustainability, regulation, and ESG reporting — and shares a preview of what’s to come in the year ahead.

Each week, ESG Talk features candid conversations with business leaders from around the world. Season three explores the connections between people and data that are the foundation of ESG, including partnerships that move sustainability goals forward and best practices in reporting and assurance.

This ESG Talk mini-series highlights two episodes featuring Tensie Whelan, director of the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business. Part one introduces CSB’s innovative Return on Sustainability Investment—or ROSI—model. In part two, Tensie and Mandi McReynolds are joined by Kelly Fisher, head of corporate sustainability at HSBC Bank USA, and share stories of companies driving financial performance with ESG. 

Our second mini-series highlights episodes with Bob Eccles, a leading authority on integrated reporting, and Maher Al-Haffar, the chief financial officer of Cemex. Both guests join co-host Mandi McReynolds to discuss how the roles of the chief sustainability officer and chief financial officer are evolving alongside ESG.

This mini-series combines two of the most popular episodes of the season: “The Future of ESG Reporting,” featuring Allyson Anderson Book, chief sustainability officer at Baker Hughes, and “Reporting Led Transformation,” with Nadja Picard, partner and global reporting leader at PwC Germany. Listen as both guests discuss the dynamic landscape of ESG reporting and its role in sustainable business.

ESG Talk hosts Mandi McReynolds, Steve Soter, Andie Wood, and Ernest Anunciacion come together for the first time in this special season finale. The group discusses key moments that shaped sustainability in 2023 and their predictions for 2024 — including the massive impact of global regulations and generative AI.

Jingdong Hua, vice-chair of the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB), and Paul Druckman, chairman of the World Benchmarking Alliance, sit down with Workiva’s Mandi McReynolds to share how standards and benchmarks bring credibility to ESG reporting as well as their insights heading into COP28. 

A leading authority on integrated reporting, Robert Eccles joins Mandi McReynolds to explore how the role of the chief sustainability officer is evolving. They discuss the concept of trade-offs and resolving conflicts of interest between stakeholders as well as the deepening connection between finance and ESG.

Dina Trainor, managing director in Deloitte & Touche LLP’s Controllership Practice, joins ESG Talk host Ernest Anunciacion to discuss how companies can build governance, risk, and compliance for ESG reporting. The duo dive into the importance of governance, essential controls, and the roles of internal and external auditors in building a robust reporting program.

In this quick chat, ESG Talk host Andie Wood provides an update on the European Sustainability Reporting Standards — new reporting rules companies will need to follow to comply with the CSRD — and explores their connection to the concept of double materiality. 

Steve Manocchio, senior director of financial compliance and operations at Cisco, joins ESG Talk host Steve Soter in a conversation around unifying climate data in financial disclosures. Listen in as they explore the financial impact of ESG, the evolving role of accountants, and how assurance and technology can help further ESG initiatives.

The chief financial officer of Cemex, Maher Al-Haffar, joins Workiva’s Mandi McReynolds to examine how ESG is influencing the office of the CFO. Mandi and Maher discuss the pivotal role of CFOs at the intersection of sustainable finance and its potential impact on business and society.

ESG Talk host Andie Wood discusses the final recommendations of the Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and their connection to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Join us as Andie unpacks the significance of both guidelines, their strategic timing, and their impact on environmental sustainability and financial transparency. 

Keurig Dr Pepper’s Chief Sustainability Officer and Interim Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Monique Oxender, joins ESG Talk host Mandi McReynolds to talk about the intersectionality of ESG and creating synergies within business, governance, and communities. They discuss the importance of connectivity and alignment across departments to ensure long-term impact.

ESG Talk and Off The Books join forces at Amplify! Workiva’s Catherine Tsai interviews Mandi McReynolds, Steve Soter, and conference attendees to explore trends like generative AI and how finance and accounting, ESG, and audit and risk are evolving — together. 

Access virtual Amplify sessions here: sm.workiva.com/amplify-podcast

Todd Brady, chief sustainability officer at Intel, joins Mandi McReynolds for the final episode in the ESG Talk Climate Week series. Todd sheds light on Intel's pursuit of net-zero emissions, emphasizing the importance of energy efficiency and how technology fosters disclosure and accountability for a more sustainable world.

Watch ESG in the C-Suite here: sm.workiva.com/esg-csuite    

Can businesses embrace circularity without compromising profitability? Kurt Ritter, The Coca-Cola Company’s vice president and general manager of sustainability North America, joins Mandi McReynolds in the third episode of the ESG Talk Climate Week series. Mandi and Kurt explore collaboration within the supply chain and integrating sustainability strategies into business outcomes across a global organization.

For the second installment in our Climate Week series, Mandi McReynolds is joined by global experts Eelco van der Enden, CEO of the Global Reporting Initiative, and Anna Nefedova, global ESG reporting leader at Deloitte. They walk us through the various global reporting standards and how they benefit the organizations that use them.

With Climate Week NYC around the corner, there’s no better time to reconnect with Paul Dickinson, Climate Week co-founder, Workiva ESG advisor, and the founder and chair of CDP. Paul joins host Mandi McReynolds to kick off a four week series exploring Climate Week and its impact on corporate sustainability.

Looking for more? Join Workiva for “ESG in the C-Suite,” a free, virtual session at Climate Week on Tuesday, September 19 at 2:00 pm EDT.

Register here: sm.workiva.com/climate-week-2023

In this quick episode of ESG Talk, Mandi McReynolds highlights key findings from Workiva's second ESG practitioner survey, which polled more than 900 professionals involved in ESG reporting across North America, Europe, and Asia. The data underscores the complexity in ESG reporting and reveals a surprising disconnect between managers and executives.

Read the report: workiva.com/2023-ESG-Survey

Register for our LinkedIn Live: sm.workiva.com/linkedin-live

Can ESG reporting transform operations and propel businesses forward? Nadja Picard, partner and global reporting leader at PwC Germany, and Workiva’s Andie Wood discuss reporting-led transformation and its impact on sustainability, uncovering the benefits of interoperability in reporting standards and the roles of CEOs and CFOs in driving ESG initiatives.

Kristina Wyatt, deputy general counsel and chief sustainability officer at Persefoni and former senior counsel at the SEC, joins ESG Talk host Steve Soter to talk about CSRD and its impact on companies outside of the European Union. They discuss the importance of assurance and harmonization in ESG reporting and proactive strategies companies should consider to be set up for success.

AT&T’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Charlene Lake, joins host Mandi McReynolds to discuss how AT&T’s ESG program has matured and evolved from its CSR roots. Discover what AT&T has learned having published 15 sustainability reports in the past 15 years, how data and regulation are shaping the industry/driving change and predictions for what ESG will look like 10 years in the future.

When the sea of data is tamed, ESG reporting turns from overwhelming to opportunity. Maura Hodge, partner and ESG audit leader at KPMG, and Neetha Ravikumar, global director, sustainability partner solutions at Microsoft, join host Mandi McReynolds to discuss common hurdles like manual data collection and varied requirements in global regulation.

Noel Kinder, chief sustainability officer at Nike, and Brian Matt, head of ESG advisory at the New York Stock Exchange, join Workiva’s Mandi McReynolds on the latest episode of ESG Talk. The trio talk about ESG as a catalyst for product innovation and finding value in collaboration and learning from others.

In the second installment of our CSRD series, Mandi McReynolds is joined by Amelia Pan of PJT Partners, an advisory-focused investment bank, and Diana Tidd, formerly of MSCI and the company's first chief responsibility officer. The group discusses everything from metrics and materiality to integration and data, and how the role of the chief sustainability officer is evolving to meet new demands.

Workiva’s Ernest Anunciacion sits down with Nancy Jordan, vice president of internal audit at Cornerstone Building Brands, and Tom Rams, senior director of SOX and internal audit at 8x8. Tom and Nancy share lessons they’ve learned about ESG and assurance and discuss the importance of breaking down silos to foster the collection of more consistent, accurate data.

Whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned pro, this quick primer from ESG Talk host Mandi McReynolds will help you prepare for your organization’s next internal audit. Listen as she explores best practices for ESG reporting and how auditors and sustainability teams can come together on the pathway to assurance. 

This episode of ESG Talk features Chad Reed, vice president of strategic initiatives and ESG at HASI, the first public company to report avoided emissions. Chad shares how his team calculates its “carbon count” metric, the critical role coalitions play in sustainability reporting, and why HASI has doubled down on double materiality.

Honeywell’s chief sustainability officer, Evan Van Hook, and Shelly Kramer, Futurum Research’s principal analyst, join host Mandi McReynolds to discuss the Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI), a quarterly comparison of sentiment and progress on ESG initiatives, and the role technology will play in their success.

Learn more about the ESI: https://www.honeywell.com/us/en/company/sustainability/environmental-sustainability-index

Andie Wood, vice president of regulatory strategy at Workiva, shares a primer on the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive), new ESG regulation adopted by the European Commission impacting thousands of companies worldwide. Andie also explores the context surrounding its adoption and its impact on integrated reporting.

Allyson Anderson Book, chief sustainability officer at Baker Hughes, joins Mandi McReynolds to share how her team has transformed the company’s annual sustainability report and advocated for transparency over perfection. They explore how acknowledging shortcomings, engaging the board, and navigating regulatory change contribute to ESG.

Join host Mandi McReynolds as she describes Workiva’s approach to ESG ratings and rankers, how to identify which matter the most to your organization, and the benefits of communicating progress against ESG goals on an ongoing basis.  

Erin Bigley, chief responsibility officer at AllianceBernstein, pulls back the curtain on transparency and decision making in asset management. Erin and Mandi McReynolds, Workiva's vice president of global ESG, discuss the realities of corporate greenwashing, measuring and managing social risks, and more.

Matthew Sekol, ESG and sustainability advocate at Microsoft, joins Mandi McReynolds on the latest episode of ESG Talk. Sekol explains why he believes understanding stakeholders is a critical component of the “G” and why governance is too often overlooked in the world of ESG.

Resources:

ESG Advocate Newsletter: https://esgadvocate.substack.com/

Mandi McReynolds looks back on her discussion with Jared Forman, managing partner of ESG and climate risk at FORVIS. The two discuss risk management and ESG, including scenario analysis and how Workiva benefited from a FORVIS risk scenario workshop in this episode of ESG Talk.

Resources:

FORVIS ESG & Climate Risk - https://www.forvis.com/services/esg-climate-risk

Tensie Whelan, director of the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business, returns to ESG Talk. Tensie is joined by Kelly Fisher, head of corporate sustainability at HSBC Bank USA, alongside Workiva’s Mandi McReynolds. The group shares case studies showcasing how companies are driving financial performance with sustainable investments and urges business leaders to reconsider how they measure ESG’s ROI.

In the latest episode of ESG Talk, guest host Ernest Anunciacion shares how companies can build assurance into ESG reporting. A certified internal auditor, Ernest emphasizes the critical role GRC (governance, risk, and compliance) will play in complying with ESG regulation, including climate disclosure rules coming from the SEC.

Host Mandi McReynolds shares insights from Reuters’ flagship event, Responsible Business USA 2023, where she moderated a panel on collecting audit-ready ESG data. Mandi shares key takeaways from her time in New York, including using technology to balance business and societal impact and aligning ESG and financial statements.

Previous ESG Talk episodes on SEC regulation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4D4YjU7MUE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHcLVwXUL_4

Alex Edmans, finance professor at London Business School and leading expert on sustainable finance, joins Mandi McReynolds, vice president of ESG at Workiva. Alex and Mandi discuss sustainability and long-term value creation, including the importance and limitations of data and executive compensation.

In this episode of ESG Talk, David Kanarek, vice president and managing counsel at American Express, joins Workiva’s Mark Mellen and Steve Soter to discuss the SEC’s climate disclosure proposal. Mark and Steve predict what will make it into the final ruling while David shares how his finance and sustainability teams are preparing for the new regulation.

Denise Vaughn, vice president of ESG at Ferguson Enterprises, and Christopher Lindsay, vice president of government relations for the International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials, join Workiva’s Mandi McReynolds. They explore the business and societal risks associated with water, how their organizations are coming together to address the water crisis in the United States, and the importance of pilots, process, and partnership for driving ESG strategy.

Denise Roberson, chief purpose officer at TBWA\Chiat\Day, joins Mandi McReynolds, Workiva’s head of global ESG, this week on ESG Talk. Denise and Mandi discuss what Mandi has coined the value versus values debate in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and how ESG reporting is accelerating corporate transparency.

Alicia Petross, chief diversity officer at The Hershey Company, joins Workiva’s Steve Soter in the latest episode of ESG Talk. Alicia and Steve discuss the labor shortage, how ESG reporting has evolved, and the connection between DEI and HCM.

In this episode of ESG Talk, Workiva’s Mandi McReynolds is joined by Mark Horoszowski, co-founder and CEO of MovingWorlds. Mark and Mandi discuss how having a shared language around ESG will move business forward and finding common ground between business leaders, investors, and consumers.

In this week's episode of ESG Talk, host Mandi McReynolds shares her top three takeaways from GreenBiz 23—including data driven decision making and automation for ESG reporting.

In this week’s episode of ESG Talk, Workiva’s resident accounting and regulatory reporting expert, Steve Soter, stops by to share his predictions for the SEC’s climate disclosure proposal, human capital management, and the future of ESG and financial reporting.

Consultants Harry Etra, chief executive officer of HXE Partners, and Peylina Chu, senior vice president of ESG Business Strategy at Antea Group, join Workiva’s Mandi McReynolds to explore what it takes to launch a successful ESG program—including team building, goal setting, and learning from failure.

This week on ESG Talk, we’re reaching back into the vault to share one of our most popular episodes from season one. Si-Yeon Kim, former chief risk and compliance officer and executive chair of ESG at American Express Global Business Travel, joins host Mandi McReynolds to share how her team transformed sustainability challenges into business opportunity.

Global accounting expert Paul Druckman joins Workiva’s Mandi McReynolds on the latest episode of ESG Talk. Mandi and Paul discuss sustainability, accountability, and why it might be time to rethink the title “CFO.”

In this episode of ESG Talk, host Mandi McReynolds is joined by Jennifer Hunter, senior vice president of corporate citizenship and chief sustainability officer at Altria, one of the world's largest producers of cigarettes and tobacco. Jennifer shares how her team balances corporate responsibility and the harm associated with Altria’s products —including advocating to increase the legal age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21.

To kick off our second season of ESG Talk, host Mandi McReynolds introduces our theme for the year—perspective and the diversity of thought shaping the discourse around ESG. According to Mandi, a new perspective can be an obstacle or an opportunity. Which one will you choose?

We’re taking a look back on some of our favorite moments from season one of ESG Talk. In this highlight reel, we bring together insights and advice from Fortune 500 executives and consultants to authors, reporters, and leading academics. In season two, we’re bringing you more diverse perspectives to help simplify ESG and accelerate its impact on business and society.

In this short chat, ESG Talk host Mandi McReynolds shares part of an executive presentation she gave exploring dynamic materiality. Mandi describes practical ways companies can align stakeholder engagement with dynamic materiality as well as how ESG leaders are using technology to drive both forward in 2023. 

Resources:

1) The Chat: Challenges and Opportunities in ESG Reporting - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/esg-talk/id1622905439?i=1000568095872 

2) Gaining Trust in Your ESG Data Is a Material Issue - https://www.workiva.com/blog/gaining-trust-your-esg-data-material-issue-0 

In this regulatory wrap up from ESG Talk, host Mandi McReynolds is joined by her Workiva colleagues, Andromeda Wood, Vice President of Regulatory Strategy, and Steve Soter, Senior Industry Principal. Andie and Steve share their takes on ESG regulation in the EU and US, including CSRD and recent developments by the SEC. 

Resources:

1) Andromeda Wood, CSRD Debrief - https://www.workiva.com/blog/csrd-debrief-whos-impacted-and-how-prepare 

2) Steve Soter, podcast co-host Off the Books  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/off-the-books/id1505814699 

3) COP27 and What’s Next for ESG ft. Paul Dickinson, CDP - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/esg-talk/id1622905439?i=1000588129567 

4) The ROI of Sustainability ft. Tensie Whelan, NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/esg-talk/id1622905439?i=1000585631997