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
Aug 3, 2022 • 9min
The Chat: ESG Challengers - Block the Noise and Move On
Join the conversation as we chat about how to deal with ESG challengers. Our inboxes are inundated with hot takes on ESG pushback or backlash, from politicians and their views on pension funds to looking at how companies are involved with ESG funds. We're putting this into context and simplifying it for all of us. Forget about all the hype, turn off all the noise, and stay focused on adding value to business and society. Resources: 1) I'm an ESG professional and I applaud dissent from Elon Musk and SEC Commissioner Peirce - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/im-esg-professional-i-applaud-dissent-from-elon-musk-sec-mcreynolds/
Jul 27, 2022 • 27min
Driving Accountability for Financial and Social Impact ft. Sarah Chapman, Manulife
Join the conversation with Sarah Chapman, Global Chief Sustainability Officer at Manulife, as she and host Mandi McReynolds discuss how business can drive stronger accountability for both financial and social impact. They share examples of how ESG is a team sport, strong company governance structure, and predict what will be top of mind for ESG in five years. Resources: 1) Manulife Impact Agenda - https://www.manulife.com/content/dam/corporate/global/en/documents/pas/MFC_impact_agenda_2022_en.pdf 2) Manulife Investment Management Timberland and Agriculture - https://www.manulifeim.com/timberland-agriculture/global/en 3) Manulife - https://www.manulife.com/en/about/sustainability.html 4) 2021 Manulife Environmental, Social and Governance Report - https://www.manulife.com/content/dam/corporate/global/en/documents/pas/MFC_ESGR_2022_EN.pdf/
Jul 13, 2022 • 24min
Accelerating Global Trust with Stakeholders ft. Rob Fisher, KPMG
Join the conversation with Rob Fisher, IMPACT and ESG Leader, KPMG US, as he and host Mandi McReynolds discuss the legacy and impact of ESG, the 2020 KPMG Survey of Sustainability Reporting, and stakeholder engagement and trust. Resources: 1) KPMG IMPACT - https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2021/12/kpmg-impact-and-esg.html 2) The Trusted Imperative - https://home.kpmg/content/dam/kpmg/xx/pdf/2022/01/trusted-imperative-whitepaper.pdf 3) The KPMG Survey of Sustainability Reporting 2020 - https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home/insights/2020/11/the-time-has-come-survey-of-sustainability-reporting.html 4) 2022 Global Leaders in Consulting: Rob Fisher - https://www.consultingmag.com/2022/02/20/2022-global-leaders-in-consulting-rob-fisher/
Jun 29, 2022 • 6min
The Chat: Challenges and Opportunities in ESG Reporting
Today we're chatting about the Workiva ESG Reporting Global Insights 2022 report that was just released. We dive into the survey results and share how 1,300 ESG practitioners are tackling the challenges and opportunities around ESG reporting. Findings show 72% of senior decision makers say they lack confidence in the ESG data currently being reported to their stakeholders. This may at first seem concerning, but the findings also revealed that the continued commitment to ESG transparency has already translated into positive business outcomes, including recruitment, cost savings, investor/stakeholder engagement, and risk reduction. Resources: 1) 2022 Global ESG Survey: Top Opportunities and Challenges of ESG Reporting - https://www.workiva.com/resources/global-survey-reports-esg 2) Full Survey Report: ESG Reporting Global Insights 2022 - https://www.workiva.com/sites/workiva/files/pdfs/esg_reporting_global_insights_full_report-en.pdf 3) ESG Practitioners Detail Top Reporting Challenges and Opportunities - https://newsroom.workiva.com/News-Archive/News-Details/2022/ESG-Practitioners-Detail-Top-Reporting-Challenges-and-Opportunities/
Jun 15, 2022 • 29min
ESG Executive Notes: World Economic Forum and the 2022 AGM Season ft. Dan Lambeth, Brunswick
Tune into the latest episode of ESG Talk with Dan Lambeth, Brunswick Partner in London. He has over 20 years' experience in government and the financial services industry: J.P. Morgan, where he led the firm's sustainability agenda in Europe, Head of Regulatory Policy and Communication at the Royal Bank of Scotland, and held senior roles at the London Stock Exchange and H.M. Treasury. Dan and host Mandi McReynolds share executive notes on the 2022 Annual General Meeting season and World Economic Forum. They dive into how ESG through capitalism drives societal value and provide practical takeaways for companies as they prepare for AGM season. Resources: 1) ESG During the 2022 AGM Season - https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/2022/05/05/esg-during-the-2022-agm-season/ 2) World Economic Forum - https://www.weforum.org/
Jun 8, 2022 • 8min
The Chat: The ESG State of Play
Welcome to The Chat. To help us keep up with the fast pace of ESG news, research, and authors, we're having quick 5-10 minute coversations about hot topics and giving you information to make practical simple decisions for your business. On this episode of The Chat, we're diving into insights from the recent CeFPro Risk Americas conference. We're also discussing recent CeFPro and Workiva research titled "ESG State of Play: Banks' Compliance and Automated Reporting Trends." Please feel free to share your thoughts with us at ESG talk on Twitter, or on LinkedIn. We'd love to answer any questions you may have about the research or dive in more to what you want to know for the next chat. Resources: 1) ESG State of Play: Banks' Compliance and Automated Reporting Trends - https://www.cefpro.com/esg-state-of-play-report/ 2) CeFPro Risk Americas 2022 - https://www.cefpro.com/forthcoming-events/risk-americas/
May 25, 2022 • 26min
The Past, Present, and Future of ESG ft. Tim Mohin, Persefoni
Join the conversation with our first guest on ESG Talk: Tim Mohin, Executive Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer at Persefoni. Tim draws from his experience working with the "E" (environmental) in ESG, while host Mandi McReynolds started with the "S" (social). Both now working on ESG for their own companies, for customers, and with innovation. In this episode of ESG Talk, the pair have a conversation about Tim's journey working in the field: the past, present, and future. Resources: 1) 2022 LinkedIn Top Voices in the Green Economy - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/linkedin-top-voices-green-economy-15-creators-follow-us-/?trackingId=t6qqRcT0SkKFatb6C7maQQ%3D%3D 2) ESG and Climate News - https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/6773642479246831618/ 3) Changing Business from the Inside Out: A Treehugger's Guide to Working in Corporations - https://www.amazon.com/Changing-Business-Inside-Out-Corporations/dp/1609946405 4) LinkedIn Poll - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mandimcreynolds_esgtalk-sustainability-esg-activity-6930551184088784896-d8vG?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web 5) Harvard Business Review 'Does Your Company Need a Chief ESG Officer?' - https://hbr.org/2022/02/does-your-company-need-a-chief-esg-officer 6) Forbes 'The 10 Traits of Great Innovators' - https://www.forbes.com/sites/rebeccabagley/2014/01/15/the-10-traits-of-great-innovators/?sh=286144234bf4
May 8, 2022 • 13min
Simplifying ESG, One Conversation at a Time
Welcome to the coversation. In the first episode of ESG Talk, we dive into the development of the ESG Talk podcast: The conversations that shape us in the field and four powerful ESG business drivers happening NOW. Let's talk. Let's listen. This is your ESG Talk podcast and discussion. Like the great educator and international leadership expert Linda Lambert once said: "One great conversation can shift the direction of change forever." Working together to drive ESG business and societal impact, we can shape a better world for all. Resources: 1) Turning to One Another - Margaret J Wheatly https://margaretwheatley.com/books-products/books/turning-one-another/ 2) Investors Demand ESG Data They Can Trust: Survey Results https://www.workiva.com/resources/investors-demand-esg-data-they-can-trust-survey-results 3) What is the #1 Business Value Driver for ESG in 2022? Linkedin Poll https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mandimcreynolds_sustainability-esgstrategy-esg-activity-6914319328553099264-ZHJM?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=member_desktop_web
