The Pre-Read

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/...

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...

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/wat...

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 i...

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 pu...

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....