The Pre-Read

This week, Mandi McReynolds, along with co-hosts Steve, Andie, and Alyssa, discuss the latest findings from Workiva's Executive Benchmark survey that explores the intersection of finance and sustainability amidst global political complexities. Highlighting the importance of integrated reporting, they address the impact of European legislation, ISSB standards, and U.S. state-level regulations. The...

This episode of ESG Talk is a special crossover with the accounting and finance podcast, Off The Books! The momentum behind sustainability is changing around the world. How are companies adjusting their environmental, social, and governance programs as the political landscape shifts? Steve and Catherine ask Brandon Buhler, Chief Accounting Officer for Playa Hotels and Resorts, and Esther Toth, Sen...

In this episode of ESG Talk, Amy Brachio, global vice chair of sustainability at EY, and Michael Goldhaber, a senior research scholar at New York University's Stern Center for Business and Human Rights, join the show with Alyssa Zucker. Listen in as they explore how shareholder advocacy is evolving on environmental and social issues and what it means for companies.

In this special bonus episode of ESG Talk recorded live at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Mandi McReynolds sits down with Jill Klindt, CFO of Workiva, to discuss the interplay between sustainability and financial performance. They explore how emerging tech like generative AI is revolutionizing regulatory compliance and business processes, the evolving roles of chief sustainability officers, an...

ESG Talk hosts Mandi McReynolds, Steve Soter, Andie Wood, and Alyssa Zucker come together for the season four premiere to reflect on the transformative year of 2024 and discuss the key sustainability, governance, and technological trends shaping 2025. Listen in for actionable insights for turning complexity into opportunity in the year ahead!

In this special episode of ESG Talk, Mandi McReynolds reflects on pivotal climate conversations leading up to Davos, revisiting key discussions from Climate Week NYC and COP29 in Azerbaijan. Joined by Steve Soter and Mike Gravagno, they dive into insights from professionals across industries, exploring the goals, challenges, and outcomes of these critical conferences. Tune in for a look at how the...

Our final ESG Talk replay features two engaging episodes, featuring Alison Taylor, clinical associate professor at NYU Stern School of Business, and Tarynn Zenk, vice president of accounting and ESG controller at Mastercard. In part one, Tarynn highlights the growing role of ESG controllers, focusing on how their work at the intersection of finance and sustainability ensures the credibility of cor...

In this episode of ESG Talk, we're replaying the last two segments from the Climate Week series. Frank Koch, CEO of Swiss Steel Group, and Alberto Carrillo Pineda, CTO of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), discuss long-term decarbonization strategies and the importance of emissions transparency. Nancy Mahon, chief sustainability officer of the Estée Lauder Companies, adds to the conversa...

In this episode, ESG Talk revisits key segments from the Climate Week series, spotlighting actionable solutions and industry insights. First, join hosts Steve Soter, Andie Wood, and Alyssa Zucker as they demystify greenhouse gas emissions and explore practical approaches to carbon accounting. Then, hear from Amelia DeLuca, Delta Air Lines' chief sustainability officer, as she discusses Delta's inn...

In this episode of ESG Talk, Mandi McReynolds is onsite in Baku at COP29 with Linda-Eling Lee, head of the Sustainability Institute at MSCI, to explore the evolving role of businesses in tackling global climate challenges. Listen in as they discuss key themes from COP29, including the rise of transition finance, the complexities of operating in a global economy, and the integration of AI into sust...

In this replay episode of ESG Talk, we bring together our two-part series featuring Amalgamated Bank's CEO, Priscilla Sims Brown, CFO Jason Darby, and special guest host Kim Huffman, CIO of Workiva. Learn how Amalgamated Bank leverages technology to advance its mission-driven business model and actionable strategies for organizations looking to make an impact.

In this episode of ESG Talk, Mandi McReynolds welcomes Kristen Siemen, former chief sustainability officer at General Motors to the show. Listen in as they discuss how one of the world's largest automakers is integrating electrification, sustainability, and innovation into its culture. This episode was recorded prior to Siemen's departure from GM.  

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 (...

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 repo...

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,...

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 cha...

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 Offic...

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 p...

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.