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
Sep 8, 2023 • 25min
Navigating Global ESG Reporting Standards
Global experts Eelco van der Enden and Anna Nefedova discuss global reporting standards, stakeholder feedback, and risk management in ESG reporting. They also highlight GRI's collaborations, alignment with European standards, and the importance of ESG reporting. The podcast concludes with reflections on humanity's ability to solve environmental challenges.
Sep 1, 2023 • 19min
Climate Week, Courage, and Corporate Sustainability
With Climate Week NYC around the corner, there’s no better time to reconnect with Paul Dickinson, Climate Week co-founder, Workiva ESG advisor, and the founder and chair of CDP. Paul joins host Mandi McReynolds to kick off a four week series exploring Climate Week and its impact on corporate sustainability. Looking for more? Join Workiva for “ESG in the C-Suite,” a free, virtual session at Climate Week on Tuesday, September 19 at 2:00 pm EDT. Register here: sm.workiva.com/climate-week-2023
Aug 22, 2023 • 8min
Insights from the 2023 Global ESG Practitioner Survey
In this quick episode of ESG Talk, Mandi McReynolds highlights key findings from Workiva's second ESG practitioner survey, which polled more than 900 professionals involved in ESG reporting across North America, Europe, and Asia. The data underscores the complexity in ESG reporting and reveals a surprising disconnect between managers and executives. Read the report: workiva.com/2023-ESG-Survey Register for our LinkedIn Live: sm.workiva.com/linkedin-live
Aug 18, 2023 • 22min
Reporting Led Transformation
Can ESG reporting transform operations and propel businesses forward? Nadja Picard, partner and global reporting leader at PwC Germany, and Workiva’s Andie Wood discuss reporting-led transformation and its impact on sustainability, uncovering the benefits of interoperability in reporting standards and the roles of CEOs and CFOs in driving ESG initiatives.
Aug 11, 2023 • 23min
Set Up for Success: Adapting to CSRD's Global Reach
Kristina Wyatt, deputy general counsel and chief sustainability officer at Persefoni and former senior counsel at the SEC, joins ESG Talk host Steve Soter to talk about CSRD and its impact on companies outside of the European Union. They discuss the importance of assurance and harmonization in ESG reporting and proactive strategies companies should consider to be set up for success.
Aug 4, 2023 • 24min
A Sustainable Shift: From CSR to ESG
AT&T's Chief Sustainability Officer discusses the evolution of their ESG program, the importance of integrating sustainability into business operations, preparing credible data for audits, the impact of external governance on materiality assessment, and envisioning the future of ESG reporting with standard frameworks and increased focus on social impact reporting.
Jul 28, 2023 • 22min
Overcoming Challenges in ESG Reporting
Maura Hodge from KPMG and Neetha Ravikumar from Microsoft discuss challenges in ESG reporting, including manual data collection, discrepancies in standards, delays in reporting, and ensuring product certifications. They also delve into the impact of ESG reporting on decarbonization, strategies for accurate and consistent reporting, and the value of utilizing ESG data for reducing carbon footprint and understanding business risks.
Jul 21, 2023 • 18min
Jumpstarting Sustainable Innovation
Noel Kinder, chief sustainability officer at Nike, and Brian Matt, head of ESG advisory at the New York Stock Exchange, join Workiva’s Mandi McReynolds on the latest episode of ESG Talk. The trio talk about ESG as a catalyst for product innovation and finding value in collaboration and learning from others.
Jul 14, 2023 • 25min
Getting Ready for the CSRD
Guests Amelia Pan and Diana Tidd discuss the challenges and changing nature of the CSRD reporting requirements, the importance of resource allocation, stages and milestones in preparing for CSRD, integrating ESG factors into strategy, the role of Chief Sustainability Officer, implications of the reform of the Financial Reporting Council, and the positive aspects of ESG regulations.
Jul 7, 2023 • 18min
An Auditor's Perspective on ESG
Workiva’s Ernest Anunciacion sits down with Nancy Jordan, vice president of internal audit at Cornerstone Building Brands, and Tom Rams, senior director of SOX and internal audit at 8x8. Tom and Nancy share lessons they’ve learned about ESG and assurance and discuss the importance of breaking down silos to foster the collection of more consistent, accurate data.
