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
Nov 30, 2022 • 18min
COP27 and What’s Next for ESG ft. Paul Dickinson, CDP
This week, host Mandi McReynolds is joined by Paul Dickinson, founder and chair of CDP, the not-for-profit organization that runs the global environmental disclosure system for investors, companies, cities, states, and regions. Paul and Mandi discuss announcements from COP27, the importance of data, and what lies ahead for ESG. Resources: 1) Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Proposed Rule - https://www.sustainability.gov/federalsustainabilityplan/fed-supplier-rule.html 2) CDP questionnaire to add ISSB’s climate disclosure standard - https://www.corporatesecretary.com/articles/esg/33225/cdp-questionnaire-add-issb%E2%80%99s-climate-disclosure-standard 3) The Chat: Questions Emerge at COP27 - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/esg-talk/id1622905439?i=1000586406377 4) Shaping the Global Climate Transition for All ft. Simon Mundy - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/esg-talk/id1622905439?i=1000578677697
Nov 23, 2022 • 4min
The Chat: Thanks for Tuning In
This week, we’re taking a moment to thank our ESG Talk audience and guests for an incredible first season. As a token of our appreciation, host Mandi McReynolds invites viewers and listeners to join the ESG Pro Group community, a free networking group for professionals involved in ESG. Resources: 1) ESG Pro Group - https://www.progroups.org/about-us/about-us/esgprogroup-about-us
Nov 16, 2022 • 5min
The Chat: Questions Emerge at COP27
COP27 is underway. In this quick chat, ESG Talk host Mandi McReynolds reflects on President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s opening remarks and asks business leaders to pause and reflect on the difficult questions that will determine our impact on business and society. Stay tuned for a follow up episode featuring CDP Chairman Paul Dickinson that will explore reflections from the remainder of COP27 and what’s to come in the year ahead. Resources: 1) COP27 - https://cop27.eg/#/ 2)President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi Opening Speech - https://www.sis.gov.eg/Story/172566/President-El-Sisi's-Speech-at-the-Opening-Session-of-COP-27?lang=en-us
Nov 9, 2022 • 19min
The ROI of Sustainability ft. Tensie Whelan, NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business
In the latest episode of ESG Talk, host Mandi McReynolds is joined by Tensie Whelan, Clinical Professor of Business and Society and the director of the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business. Tensie shares examples of companies that have achieved a significant return on investment from sustainability initiatives as well as the concept of cost avoidance and importance of setting the right ESG KPIs for your organization. Resources: 1) NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business Return on Sustainability Investment (ROSI™) - https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/about/departments-centers-initiatives/centers-of-research/center-sustainable-business/research/return-sustainability-investment-rosi 2) Harvard Business Review: ESG Reports Aren’t a Replacement for Real Sustainability - https://hbr.org/2022/07/esg-reports-arent-a-replacement-for-real-sustainability 3) NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business - https://www.stern.nyu.edu/sustainability
Nov 2, 2022 • 20min
Taking a Stand as a Brand ft. Peter Land, DICK’S Sporting Goods
This week, host Mandi McReynolds is joined by Peter Land, Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer at DICK’S Sporting Goods. Peter shares how a large consumer brand took a stand to advocate for youth sports and gun reform. They discuss the risks, opportunities, and costs of public accountability for brands. Resources: 1) DICK’S Sporting Goods 2021 Purpose Playbook - https://investors.dicks.com/news/sideline-report/blog-story-details/2022/A-TEAM-EFFORT-INTRODUCING-THE-2021-PURPOSE-PLAYBOOK/default.aspx 2) DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation Sports Matter program - https://www.sportsmatter.org/ 3) Sandy Hook Promise - https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/
Oct 26, 2022 • 19min
Localizing ESG Across the Globe ft. Barjouth Aguilar, Flex
Barjouth Aguilar, Head of Global Sustainability at Flex, joins Workiva’s Mandi McReynolds on this week’s episode of ESG Talk. Learn how Flex has embedded sustainability into its supply chain and manufacturing operations, embraced sustainable finance, and localized ESG strategy in more than 100 facilities across the globe. Resources: 1) Flex - Our Sustainability - https://flex.com/company/our-sustainability 2) Flex Foundation - https://flex.com/company/our-sustainability/flex-foundation 3) McKinsey & Company - https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/operations/our-insights/building-sustainability-into-operations
Oct 19, 2022 • 20min
Social's Role in ESG: People, Purpose, and Profitability ft. Beth Wood, Principal Financial Group
This week, host Mandi McReynolds is joined by Beth Wood, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Principal Financial Group® and the chair of the Principal ESG Task Force. In recognition of National Women's Small Business Month, Beth shares how her experience running a small business prepared her to drive ESG strategy for a Fortune 500 company and describes the innovative Principal® Global Financial Inclusion Index. Resources: 1) Principal Financial Group ESG Strategy - https://www.principal.com/sustainability/esg-strategy 2) Global Financial Inclusion Index - https://www.principal.com/financial-inclusion 3) Edelman Trust Barometer - https://www.edelman.com/trust/2022-trust-barometer
Oct 12, 2022 • 6min
The Chat: ESG for SMEs, Startups, and Unicorns
We’re chatting about how startups and small to midsize enterprises play a critical role in our global economy and how they can engage in ESG moving forward. Host Mandi McReynolds shares three fundamental principles for startups and SMEs to consider when implementing ESG into their business strategy. Resources: 1) World Economic Forum article - https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/09/what-start-ups-think-about-esg-and-why-it-matters/ 2) UN Global Compact participants - https://www.unglobalcompact.org/what-is-gc/participants 3) UN Global Compact resources - https://www.unglobalcompact.org/take-action/leadership 4) Kevin O’Leary on ESG: Straight Talk from Mr. Wonderful - https://www.workiva.com/blog/kevin-oleary-esg-straight-talk-mr-wonderful
Oct 5, 2022 • 13min
The Chat: Driving Purpose and Profit ft. George Serafeim
George Serafeim, Harvard Business School professor and author, discusses the humanistic element of ESG and practical tips for driving purpose and profit. Topics include the role of individuals in driving change, the increasing demand for stakeholder engagement, and businesses embracing a humanistic approach and integrating ESG.
Sep 21, 2022 • 24min
Defending, Critiquing, and Moving Forward in ESG ft. Shivaram Rajgopal, Columbia Business School
This is an illuminating conversation between Shivaram Rajgopal, Kester and Byrnes Professor at Columbia Business School, and host Mandi McReynolds. Listen as they discuss his pragmatic approach to ESG as illustrated in his three-part Forbes article series ESG – A Defense, A Critique, And A Way Forward: An Evidence-Driven Pragmatic Perspective. Resources: 1) ESG – A Defense, A Critique, And A Way Forward: An Evidence-Driven Pragmatic Perspective - https://www.forbes.com/sites/shivaramrajgopal/2022/08/21/esg--a-defense-a-critique-and-a-way-forward-an-evidence-driven-pragmatic-perspective/ 2) ESG – A Defense, A Critique (part 2), And A Way Forward: An Evidence-Driven Pragmatic Perspective - https://www.forbes.com/sites/shivaramrajgopal/2022/08/28/esg--a-defense-a-critique-part-2-now-and-a-way-forward-an-evidence-driven-pragmatic-perspective/ 3) ESG – A Defense, A Critique, And A Way Forward (part 3): Evidence-Driven Pragmatic Perspective - https://www.forbes.com/sites/shivaramrajgopal/2022/09/01/esg--a-defense-a-critique-and-a-way-forward-part-3-now-evidence-driven-pragmatic-perspective/ 4) Website - https://www.shivarajgopal.com/
