ESG Decoded Podcast

ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. Annually observed in February, Black History Month recognizes the contributions and achievements made by those across the African diaspora. In this episode, we highlight a previous guest on the podcast and African American leader, Courtney Taylor, who drives transformation in the ESG space. The ‘S’ in ESG relates to the people elements impacting organizations. This includes employee relations, organizational health, people culture, DEI, and community outreach. In this episode, Yvonne Harris talks with Courtney Taylor, Senior Vice President of Community Development for Veritex Community Bank. Courtney develops relationships on behalf of the bank to achieve continuous improvement to the ongoing success of the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) program, evaluates community development needs, and administers the bank’s volunteer program. Courtney is a Community Relations Powerhouse and Philanthropic Leader serving on several volunteer boards. She holds a degree from the University of Texas, San Antonio, and Texas Woman’s University. Listen as Yvonne and Courtney discuss what Veritex considers when developing its community outreach strategic plan, why investing in financial literacy is essential, and how the Women In Business Program uniquely supports women business owners. Make sure to subscribe to ESG Decoded on your favorite streaming platforms and our new YouTube Channel so that you’re notified of our vodcast episodes! Don’t forget to connect with us on our social media channels. Enjoy this episode! Interested in being a guest on the podcast? For consideration and scheduling, please fill out this form. Resource Links Veritex Website Veritex ESG Report: https://veritexbank.com/ Veritex ESG Report: https://veritexbank.com/about-us/community/environmental-social-and-governance-esg/

ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. Annually observed in February, Black History Month recognizes the contributions and achievements made by those across the African diaspora. In this episode, we highlight a previous guest on the podcast and African American leader, Monique Cunningham, who drives transformation in the ESG space. To excel in today’s competitive business environment, a successful ESG Leader needs a balance of compliance, sustainability, and project management skills backed by robust policy design expertise. In this episode, Kaitlyn Allen talks with Dr. Monique Cunningham, who has over 15 years of experience leading strategic ESG projects for high-profile organizations, including St. Thomas University, the City of Tallahassee, and the Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America, Inc. (OICA). Professional experience across the E, S, and G of ESG is rare, but Dr. Cunningham has it! In addition to her vast experience as a risk management and compliance professional, she holds a Doctorate in Law and Policy from Northeastern, an MBA from Nova Southeastern University, and a Bachelor’s in Biology from Barry University. Listen as Kaitlyn and Monique remind us that the ‘G’ in ESG is foundational; you cannot have the ‘E’ and the ‘S’ without Governance. The oversight and implementation of any ESG program or policy cannot occur in isolation; all ESG priorities must interlace throughout the organization. This is where governance becomes an elevated component of the process. The approach to governance must be in tandem with an organization’s mission and values while aligning with its approach to compliance and risk mitigation matters. Make sure to subscribe to ESG Decoded on your favorite streaming platforms and our new YouTube Channel so that you’re notified of our vodcast episodes! Don’t forget to connect with us on our social media channels. Enjoy this episode! Interested in being a guest on the podcast? For consideration and scheduling, please fill out this form. Resource Links Monique Cunningham, LP.D, MBA, CSM, CCEP | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moniquencunningham/ Dissertation by Dr. Monique Cunningham: Florida and the Clean Power Plan: a state, a federal regulation, and a climate situation. (northeastern.edu): https://repository.library.northeastern.edu/files/neu:cj82np663/fulltext.pdf Compliance Professional Resources (CCEP | SCCE Official Site: https://www.corporatecompliance.org/certification/become-certified/ccep Certified Environmental and Safety Compliance Officer (CESCO) | NREP: https://www.nrep.org/certifications/certified-environmental-and-safety-compliance-officer-cesco

ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. In this episode, Yvonne N. Harris talks with Rachel Schneider, founder and CEO of Canary. Canary is a company helping the 21st-century social net evolve to reflect the future of work by providing technology and services that enable its clients to give individuals money at pivotal moments in their lives with dignity and efficiency. She's led the development of Grant Circle, a high-impact solution for challenges she uncovered as co-author of The Financial Diaries. Grant Circle exists so employees can access emergency support in times of financial need and enable them to recover quickly. Rachel has experience from Merrill Lynch, Financial Health Network, and The Aspen Institute as their entrepreneur-in-residence. She credits her commitment to the potential for innovative finance to solve major social problems from her days as a VISTA Volunteer. Standing for Social, the 'S' in ESG relates to the people elements impacting business and organizations, including employee relations, organizational health, people culture, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB), community outreach, and health and wellness. Rachel's expertise intersects with people culture and employee relations. Listen as Yvonne and Rachel share their perspectives on how companies can be more effective in their Social efforts. Rachel describes Canary's service model and how their emergency fund is critical for employers to provide support for stressful life events that employees experience. Make sure to subscribe to ESG Decoded on your favorite streaming platforms and our new YouTube Channel so that you’re notified of our vodcast episodes! Don’t forget to connect with us on our social media channels. Enjoy this episode! Episode Resource Links Website: https://workwithcanary.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workwithcanary/

ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. Calling all sustainable fashionistas – this conversation is for you! In this episode, Amanda Hsieh talks with Graham Stewart, EVP for FIBRE52™. Graham is an international textile and apparel production and brand specialist working with world-class organizations. For the past two years, Graham has developed and patented a more sustainable bleach and dye process that results in higher-performance cotton. Fibre52 provides environmentally-kind and cost-conscious cotton processing  with a global application. Listen as Amanda and Graham discuss the advancements in the production process for raw cotton to its finished product. Graham grew up in a textile town, and his house was connected to a mill. Who better to bring sustainable solutions to textile production? Interest in sustainable fashion is often focused on what happens after the garment is purchased. Fibre52 has disrupted the centuries-old textile industry by creating a new process that  saves water, energy, and time by up to 50%. They are transforming the bleaching process by replacing heavy chemicals with bio-based products. Fibre52’s advancements are supported by research and lab testing, including a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which Amanda reminds us is a powerful tool for quantifying the environmental benefits of any new innovation. Make sure to subscribe to ESG Decoded on your favorite streaming platforms and our new YouTube Channel so that you’re notified of our vodcast episodes! Don’t forget to connect with us on our social media channels. Enjoy this episode! - Episode Resource Links Graham’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonfischweicher/ Fibre52 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fibre52/ Twitter: @Fibre52 https://twitter.com/fibre52 Instagram: @fibre.52 https://www.instagram.com/fibre.52/ Facebook: Fibre52 https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083402797701

ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. In this episode, Kaitlyn Allen talks with Dimitry Gershenson, CEO & Co-Founder of Enduring Planet, the leading credit platform for climate entrepreneurs. Dimitry has 15 years of experience in climate and impact investing and operations in this space. Before Enduring Planet, Dimitry led M&A and served as COO for Rango Wireless, an Enduring Ventures portfolio company. Dimitry also previously built Meta’s Energy Access program, a $15M+ investing initiative that enabled energy access for $3M in additional capital in underserved markets, like Kenya and India. Beyond his role at Enduring Planet, Dimitry sits on the board of Ecosafi, a lower carbon-backed climate startup enabling clean cooking in emerging markets. For those new to this space, climate change is one of the key issues under the ‘E’ category of ESG. Listen as Dimitry explains the services provided by Enduring Planet as they seek to address the challenges organizations face to raise the capital needed to drive environmental innovation. Enduring Planet also actively considers Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Justice (DEIJ ) in its operations and investing, providing a concrete example of how these principles can be applied at an investment firm. Dimitry’s excitement for his work is contagious! Big Bang Theory fans will love his reference to the Cambrian Explosion as he describes the expansion of the new climate economy. Check out Enduring Planet’s website for case studies highlighting the impact of projects they have supported and connect with them on social! Make sure to subscribe to ESG Decoded on your favorite streaming platforms and our new YouTube Channel so that you’re notified of our vodcast episodes! Don’t forget to connect with us on our social media channels. Enjoy this episode! Episode Resource Links Website: https://enduringplanet.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/enduring_planet LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/enduring-planet

ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. In this episode, Kaitlyn Allen facilitates a conversation between the Head of Corporations and Supply Chains for CDP North America, Simon Fischweicher, and the SVP of Sustainability, Policy, and Advisory for ClimeCo, Emily Damon. Simon leads CDP North America's work to support companies on their journey towards environmental leadership by measuring and understanding their environmental impact in their operations and value chain. This includes overseeing corporate disclosure, accelerating and expanding impact through CDP's Reporter Services and Supply Chain memberships, and driving action through corporate commitments to science-based targets and 100% renewable energy. Simon previously increased disclosure to CDP's Climate Change, Forests, and Water Security questionnaires, including over 75% of the S&P 500, and worked on CDP's Global Initiatives team, driving corporate climate commitments ahead of the Paris Agreement. Emily leads ClimeCo’s consulting practice, specializing in ESG performance and disclosure.  Her work spans reporting, materiality assessment, rating and ranking optimization, and risk assessment. She also has deep expertise in corporate climate strategy, including greenhouse gas accounting, target-setting, abatement strategy, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. Kaitlyn starts the conversation by reminding us that CDP is the official term for this disclosure organization. (Those who have been in the ESG space for a while may remember when CDP was Carbon Disclosure Project.) Companies typically enter the CDP space because they are requested to do so by investors or other stakeholders. Listen as the trio discusses how CDP ultimately creates cascading climate action. Tag-teaming the topic, Simon and Emily ground us on the CDP reporting process and perspectives on the evolution of CDP participation shifting from primarily consumer-facing businesses to companies' involvement throughout the supply chain. Episode Resource Links Unlock the Power of Your Supply Chain: https://www.cdp.net/en/supply-chain "Engaging the Chain: Driving Speed & Scale" Global Supply Chain Report 2021: https://www.cdp.net/en/research/global-reports/engaging-the-chain/ Make sure to subscribe to ESG Decoded on your favorite streaming platforms and our new YouTube Channel so that you’re notified of our vodcast episodes! Don’t forget to connect with us on our social media channels. Enjoy this episode!

ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. The 'S' in ESG relates to the people elements impacting organizations --including employee relations, organizational health, people culture, DEI, and community outreach. In this episode, Amanda Hsieh talks with Dr. Nguyen "Tom" Griggs, MBA, Ed.D., and Founder of Lead Connect Grow LLC. Tom is an instructor in Verbal Judo and has certificates in Advanced Negotiations and Conflict Resolution from Notre Dame's Mendoza School of Business. He is a Les Brown Platinum Speaker and a contributing author to Les Brown's bestselling book, Fight For Your Dreams. Tom is also a John Maxwell certified Success Coach member of Maxwell's prestigious Founders Circle. Growing up in a Vietnamese and African American multicultural home and rough neighborhoods was challenging. Traditional martial arts became a way of life for Tom as he learned the importance of individualism and teamwork. Tom, now known as "Sensei Tom," holds black belts in Japanese Jujitsu and karate. He teaches verbal and nonverbal communication skills to improve teamwork, morale, performance, and serenity. Amanda and Tom met at an Institute for Leadership in Capital Projects (I-LinCP) Sustainability Conference. (The power of networking is real!) Listen as they highlight important leadership tenants and discuss Black Belt Leadership, a fusion of leadership and martial arts. Amanda also reminds us of effective leadership's importance in retaining talent and engaging the workforce. This is an excellent episode for the year's first month, as many individuals resolve to become more impactful leaders. Consider sharing this episode with those in your extended network, including younger professionals and students. Learning to hone in on your unique, authentic leadership style is an asset at any age. Learn more about Tom's work here: NTG - Building Black Belt Teams (ntgriggs.com). Make sure to subscribe to ESG Decoded on your favorite streaming platforms and our new YouTube Channel so that you're notified of our vodcast episodes! Don't forget to connect with us on our social media channels. Enjoy this episode!

ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. In this episode, Yvonne Harris talks with Shari Littan, Director of Corporate Reporting Research & Thought-Leadership at the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). Shari is an expert and innovator on mainstream accounting and corporate reporting, securities and corporate law, and business sustainability. In her position at IMA, Shari drives the organization's thought leadership efforts on behalf of IMA's 140,000 members on sustainable business with an emphasis on the role of the CFO and finance function, as well as the connection to intangible assets, performance, and long-term value. Before IMA, Shari worked as a full-time editor and author with Thomson Reuters, reporting on US GAAP and contributing to sustainability publications. Shari is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and an experienced lawyer in financial and corporate litigation. IMA's ESG-related focus is referred to as sustainable business management. Listen as Yvonne and Shari discuss how to make accounting reporting tools applicable to sustainability as they provide information based on limited resources and are not solely focused on profit and loss measurement. Shari takes a closer look at the company's role (not the investor) in the ESG paradigm as perspectives are shifting beyond only considering profits. They also explore the risks of an organization ignoring ESG and the continued need for more expert reporting standards. Make sure to subscribe to ESG Decoded on your favorite streaming platforms and our new YouTube Channel so that you’re notified of our vodcast episodes! Don’t forget to connect with us on our social media channels. Enjoy this episode! Episode Resource Links IMA Sustainable Business Management: https://www.imanet.org/about-ima/sustainable-business-management?ssopc=1 IMA Statement of Position on Sustainable Business Information & Management: https://www.imanet.org/-/media/9354121b3db4442ea24abf805c167177.ashx?la=en IMA Briefing: How Technology Can Revolutionize ESG Reporting: https://www.imanet.org/about-ima/news-and-media-relations/ima-briefing/ima-briefing-list/2021/5/26/ima-briefing-how-technology-can-revolutionize-esg-reporting?ssopc=1 IMA Climate Risk & Readiness in Business Report: https://www.imanet.org/insights-and-trends/the-future-of-management-accounting/climate-risk-and-strategies-finance-function-readiness-to-meet-accelerating-demands?ssopc=1

ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. In this episode, Kaitlyn Allen talks with Jim Massey, Chief Sustainability Officer for Zai Lab. Jim is a leader who is unafraid to take action and do the right thing—a critical requirement in today’s environment for a business executive leading during a global health pandemic, climate crisis, and racial inequalities. Before joining Zai Lab, Jim’s governance and transparency expertise transformed AstraZeneca’s sustainability program, driving an entrepreneurial culture with the agility to meet business demands and stakeholder expectations. His work led to the company’s recognition as one of the world’s 100 most sustainable companies for three years during his tenure. Jim’s impact was evident across the ESG spectrum as he: delivered and launched Ambition Zero (the most progressive $1B environmental program in the industry,) established a patron sponsorship for UN SDG 3 Health & Well-being, and launched a groundbreaking one-page Code of Ethics. When ESG outcomes fall short of expectations, is trust the missing factor? Listen as Kaitlyn and Jim discuss the importance of trust in work in the ESG space. The Trust Model, coined by Jim, was established on the simple framework of: can, do, and care. ESG leaders will relate to the information shared in this episode, as many are pioneers of this work in their organization. They have to trust their capabilities to make sound decisions impacting multiple stakeholders. No room for the Imposter Syndrome here! Make sure to subscribe to ESG Decoded on your favorite streaming platforms and our new YouTube Channel so that you’re notified of our vodcast episodes! Don’t forget to connect with us on our social media channels. Enjoy this episode! Episode Resource Links Zai Lab’s 2022 ESG Trust Report: https://www.zailaboratory.com/sustainability/ Jim Massey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmassey/ Zai Lab LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zai-lab/ Twitter: @ZaiLab_Global https://twitter.com/zailab_global

ESG Decoded is a podcast powered by ClimeCo to share updates related to business innovation and sustainability in a clear and actionable manner. In this episode, Hosts Kaitlyn and Amanda reunite for the first time since their inaugural "What is ESG?" episode from 2021, discussing the exciting developments for the ESG Decoded Podcast in 2022. Kaitlyn Allen, Senior Vice President of Sales Strategy, dedicates her time to leading the ClimeCo Sales Team and crafting bespoke sustainability, ESG, and decarbonization solutions for private sector clients. Amanda Hsieh, Senior Vice President of Strategic Development, leads the development and implementation of ClimeCo's digitalization and automation strategies - creating value for clients, partners, and internal changemakers. Listen as Kaitlyn and Amanda share growth and performance statistics of the ESG Decoded Podcast, including Spotify's infamous 2022 Wrapped overview and Anchor's top-performing episodes. Reflecting on 2022, they're reminded of the African proverb, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." The growth and impact of this podcast are  due to the support of our guests, listeners, sponsors and  the internal Podcast Team, all for which we are eternally thankful. As we prep for 2023, we welcome suggestions for topics and guests that align with the continued desire to inform and problem-solve in the ESG space. What's in store for 2023? Tune in for a sneak peek! Free time in the coming weeks? We invite you to revisit a podcast that you've enjoyed and catch up on episodes that you may have missed. If you haven’t already, make sure to subscribe to ESG Decoded on your favorite streaming platforms and our YouTube Channel so that you're notified of our vodcast episodes! Don't forget to connect with us on our social media channels. Enjoy this episode, and we wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and a prosperous 2023!