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
Mar 13, 2025 • 25min
Report from UnDavos: How CSOs Can Redefine Corporate Responsibility
Join Mandi McReynolds and an esteemed panel at UnDavos as they dive into the evolving role of Chief Sustainability Officers post-global elections. Featuring insights from top executives like Dr. Anna Gawlikowska, Co-Founder & CEO @ Swiss AI AG, Rainer Karcher, Founder & CEO of Heartprint GmbH, and Viktoriia Savitska, Chief of Sustainability and Strategic Engagement from EPICNTR Group, this discussion covers the essential values driving their sustainability strategies, the importance of collaboration, and the innovative use of AI to tackle sustainability challenges. Tune in to discover how industry leaders are navigating regulatory landscapes, business performance, and environmental impact to build a sustainable future.
Mar 7, 2025 • 32min
Crocs' Sustainability Revolution: Innovating with Circularity
Deanna Bratter, Chief Sustainability Officer at Crocs, Inc., is at the forefront of the company’s sustainability revolution. She shares insights about the innovative Keep It Going Classic Clog, made with 25% recycled content, and Crocs' retail take-back program designed to keep shoes in circulation. The conversation touches on community empowerment through shoe donations, the challenges of scaling sustainability efforts, and the importance of engaging consumers. Bratter also discusses the balance between reduced emissions and product demand, showcasing Crocs’ commitment to a circular economy.
Feb 28, 2025 • 20min
Creating Customer Value with a Sustainable Mindset: Dell Technologies
In this episode of ESG Talk, Cassandra Garber, chief sustainability officer at Dell Technologies joins host Mandi McReynolds. Listen in as Cassandra and Mandi discuss how the global technology leader incorporates the measurement, management, and governance of ESG priorities into both its operations and product offerings.
Feb 21, 2025 • 30min
Value Creation Under Pressure: Insights from Global Executives
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 conversation delves into the strategic value creation of sustainability reporting and offers practical advice for engaging with the C-suite. Read the 2025 Executive Benchmark on Integrated Reporting. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:35 Executive Benchmark Survey Insights 01:51 Impact of European Legislation on Companies 05:04 Global Implementation of ISSB Standards 07:48 State-Level Climate Regulations in the US 13:40 Value Creation Through Sustainability Reporting 18:52 Practical Tips and Humorous Insights 28:58 Final Thoughts and Conclusion
Feb 14, 2025 • 15min
Is Sustainability Unsustainable?
The conversation dives into the shifting dynamics of sustainability and ESG reporting amid changing political landscapes. Experts highlight how companies can weave sustainability into their culture and financial practices, showcasing impactful changes. They also discuss the crucial balance between regulatory compliance and long-term value creation. With a light-hearted analogy, the discussion connects sustainability governance to everyday decision-making, making the topic both engaging and relatable.
Feb 7, 2025 • 32min
The Evolution of Shareholder Advocacy
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.
Jan 31, 2025 • 10min
Dispatch from Davos: CFOs and CSOs Unite for Sustainable Growth
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, and the importance of integrating non-financial data in achieving company goals. Tune in for insights on sustainable innovation, growth strategies, and the future of ESG reporting.
Jan 24, 2025 • 30min
ESG in 2025: Turning Complexity into Opportunity
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!
Jan 17, 2025 • 43min
From NYC to Baku to Davos: Climate Conversations That Matter
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 these global events are shaping the future of sustainability initiatives.
Dec 27, 2024 • 57min
ESG's Role in Value Creation
Alison Taylor, a clinical associate professor at NYU Stern and author of 'Higher Ground', teams up with Tarynn Zenk, Mastercard's ESG controller. They dive into the crucial emerging role of ESG controllers in ensuring credible corporate disclosures. Tarynn highlights the need for reliable data management to meet growing scrutiny. Alison discusses the shift from shareholder to stakeholder capitalism and the importance of honest engagement with societal issues. Together, they emphasize the rising power of employee activism and the need for businesses to adapt their approaches for sustainability.
