The Pre-Read
Workiva
Just like the slides you get before a big meeting, The Pre-Read prepares CFOs and senior leaders for the decisions ahead. This is the global podcast for the modern office of the CFO, focused on how finance leaders drive performance, resilience, and long-term value in a constantly shifting environment.
Designed for executives operating at scale, the show features candid conversations with CFOs, board advisors, regulators, and business leaders shaping how companies compete, comply, and grow. Hosts Alyssa Zucker and Steve Soter connect financial performance, data integrity, regulation, and technology to the real questions CFOs are being asked by boards, investors, and stakeholders.
From AI adoption and enterprise data trust to evolving disclosure expectations and global regulatory pressure, The Pre-Read focuses on what matters now and what's coming next. Each episode cuts through noise to surface practical insight, strategic perspective, and the signals CFOs need to lead with clarity. If you're responsible for stewarding capital, managing risk, and creating value over time, you're in the right place.
Designed for executives operating at scale, the show features candid conversations with CFOs, board advisors, regulators, and business leaders shaping how companies compete, comply, and grow. Hosts Alyssa Zucker and Steve Soter connect financial performance, data integrity, regulation, and technology to the real questions CFOs are being asked by boards, investors, and stakeholders.
From AI adoption and enterprise data trust to evolving disclosure expectations and global regulatory pressure, The Pre-Read focuses on what matters now and what's coming next. Each episode cuts through noise to surface practical insight, strategic perspective, and the signals CFOs need to lead with clarity. If you're responsible for stewarding capital, managing risk, and creating value over time, you're in the right place.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 27, 2023 • 31min
Unifying Climate Data in Financial Disclosures
Steve Manocchio, senior director of financial compliance and operations at Cisco, joins ESG Talk host Steve Soter in a conversation around unifying climate data in financial disclosures. Listen in as they explore the financial impact of ESG, the evolving role of accountants, and how assurance and technology can help further ESG initiatives.
Oct 20, 2023 • 23min
The CFO's Role in Sustainability
The chief financial officer of Cemex, Maher Al-Haffar, joins Workiva's Mandi McReynolds to examine how ESG is influencing the office of the CFO. Mandi and Maher discuss the pivotal role of CFOs at the intersection of sustainable finance and its potential impact on business and society.
Oct 13, 2023 • 16min
Understanding TNFD & TCFD Frameworks
ESG Talk host Andie Wood discusses the final recommendations of the Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) and their connection to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Join us as Andie unpacks the significance of both guidelines, their strategic timing, and their impact on environmental sustainability and financial transparency.
Oct 6, 2023 • 26min
Exploring the Intersectionality of ESG
Keurig Dr Pepper's Chief Sustainability Officer and Interim Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Monique Oxender, joins ESG Talk host Mandi McReynolds to talk about the intersectionality of ESG and creating synergies within business, governance, and communities. They discuss the importance of connectivity and alignment across departments to ensure long-term impact.
Sep 26, 2023 • 27min
Unite to Ignite: Amplify 2023
ESG Talk and Off The Books join forces at Amplify! Workiva's Catherine Tsai interviews Mandi McReynolds, Steve Soter, and conference attendees to explore trends like generative AI and how finance and accounting, ESG, and audit and risk are evolving — together. Access virtual Amplify sessions here: sm.workiva.com/amplify-podcast
Sep 22, 2023 • 25min
Forging a Path to Net Zero
Todd Brady, chief sustainability officer at Intel, joins Mandi McReynolds for the final episode in the ESG Talk Climate Week series. Todd sheds light on Intel's pursuit of net-zero emissions, emphasizing the importance of energy efficiency and how technology fosters disclosure and accountability for a more sustainable world. Watch ESG in the C-Suite here: sm.workiva.com/esg-csuite
Sep 15, 2023 • 18min
Putting Circularity to Work
Can businesses embrace circularity without compromising profitability? Kurt Ritter, The Coca-Cola Company's vice president and general manager of sustainability North America, joins Mandi McReynolds in the third episode of the ESG Talk Climate Week series. Mandi and Kurt explore collaboration within the supply chain and integrating sustainability strategies into business outcomes across a global organization.
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
