The Pre-Read
Workiva
Just like the slides you get before a big meeting, The Pre-Read gets CFOs and other decision-makers ready for what's next. This is the global podcast built for the modern office of the CFO, where finance, sustainability, audit, and risk come together.
Designed for financial leaders navigating transformation at scale, the show features sharp, unfiltered conversations with insiders at the forefront of business, regulation, and enterprise strategy. Each week, hosts Alyssa Zucker and Steve Soter, along with our bench of expert segment reporters, connect the dots between financial performance, regulatory demands, and long-term value creation.
From new disclosure mandates to AI and assurance readiness, The Pre-Read helps you track the forces reshaping business. We cover what matters globally, cross-functionally, and with just enough candor to keep it real. If you're making decisions at scale, or need to understand the leaders who are, you're in the right place.
Designed for financial leaders navigating transformation at scale, the show features sharp, unfiltered conversations with insiders at the forefront of business, regulation, and enterprise strategy. Each week, hosts Alyssa Zucker and Steve Soter, along with our bench of expert segment reporters, connect the dots between financial performance, regulatory demands, and long-term value creation.
From new disclosure mandates to AI and assurance readiness, The Pre-Read helps you track the forces reshaping business. We cover what matters globally, cross-functionally, and with just enough candor to keep it real. If you're making decisions at scale, or need to understand the leaders who are, you're in the right place.
Episodes
Mentioned books
7 snips
Mar 17, 2023 • 19min
Purpose vs. Performance
Denise Roberson, chief purpose officer at TBWA\Chiat\Day, and Mandi McReynolds, head of global ESG at Workiva, discuss the value versus values debate in ESG and the importance of aligning values with purpose. They highlight the need for measuring what matters, aligning personal and business values, effective communication, prioritizing materiality, and focusing on value in ESG strategies.
Mar 8, 2023 • 19min
DEI's Role in Human Capital Management
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.
Mar 3, 2023 • 20min
Establishing a Common Language Around ESG
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.
Feb 21, 2023 • 4min
Reflections from GreenBiz 23
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.
Feb 10, 2023 • 11min
SEC Regulation is (Almost) Here
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.
Feb 3, 2023 • 24min
Getting Started with ESG
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.
Jan 27, 2023 • 16min
Finding Your ESG Superpower ft. Si-Yeon Kim
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.
Jan 18, 2023 • 18min
Benchmarking and Transparency ft. Paul Druckman
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."
Jan 11, 2023 • 18min
Corporate Responsibility and Reducing Harm ft. Jennifer Hunter, Altria
Jennifer Hunter, senior vice president of corporate citizenship and chief sustainability officer at Altria, discusses how her team balances corporate responsibility and the harm associated with Altria’s products, advocating to increase the legal age for purchasing tobacco products from 18 to 21. The conversation explores Altria's commitment to reducing harm, supporting FDA regulation and cessation resources, addressing underage use, and advocating for responsible retail practices.
Jan 4, 2023 • 4min
Season Two: Taking Perspective ft. Mandi McReynolds, Workiva
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?
