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
Jun 9, 2023 • 12min
The Global Impact of CSRD
Andie Wood, vice president of regulatory strategy at Workiva, shares a primer on the CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive), new ESG regulation adopted by the European Commission impacting thousands of companies worldwide. Andie also explores the context surrounding its adoption and its impact on integrated reporting.
Jun 2, 2023 • 21min
The Future of ESG Reporting
Allyson Anderson Book, Chief Sustainability Officer at Baker Hughes, discusses the company's transparency efforts and the significance of obtaining quality data for decision-making. They explore the advantages of ESG reporting in strengthening stakeholder relationships and meeting net zero goals, while also discussing challenges such as building human capital. The importance of board engagement and the changing landscape of board committees embracing ESG are also highlighted.
May 26, 2023 • 6min
The Executive Guide to ESG Ratings
Join host Mandi McReynolds as she describes Workiva's approach to ESG ratings and rankers, how to identify which matter the most to your organization, and the benefits of communicating progress against ESG goals on an ongoing basis.
May 19, 2023 • 20min
Responsible Investing for a Sustainable Economy
Erin Bigley, chief responsibility officer at AllianceBernstein, pulls back the curtain on transparency and decision making in asset management. Erin and Mandi McReynolds, Workiva's vice president of global ESG, discuss the realities of corporate greenwashing, measuring and managing social risks, and more.
May 12, 2023 • 17min
Understanding Stakeholders for Better Governance
Matthew Sekol, ESG and sustainability advocate at Microsoft, joins Mandi McReynolds on the latest episode of ESG Talk. Sekol explains why he believes understanding stakeholders is a critical component of the "G" and why governance is too often overlooked in the world of ESG. Resources: ESG Advocate Newsletter: https://esgadvocate.substack.com/
May 5, 2023 • 26min
Managing Risk Through Scenario Analysis
Mandi McReynolds looks back on her discussion with Jared Forman, managing partner of ESG and climate risk at FORVIS. The two discuss risk management and ESG, including scenario analysis and how Workiva benefited from a FORVIS risk scenario workshop in this episode of ESG Talk. Resources: FORVIS ESG & Climate Risk - https://www.forvis.com/services/esg-climate-risk
Apr 28, 2023 • 26min
The ROI of Sustainability, Part II
Tensie Whelan, director of the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business, and Kelly Fisher, head of corporate sustainability at HSBC Bank USA, discuss case studies on driving financial performance with sustainable investments. They emphasize the importance of measuring sustainability, implementing circularity in industries like apparel, and banks prioritizing sustainability. They also call for every person within a company to tackle climate change and social inequity.
Apr 21, 2023 • 9min
Trust and Assurance for ESG Reporting
Ernest Anunciacion, a certified internal auditor, discusses the critical role of GRC in ESG reporting and the importance of assurance, governance, and compliance. He highlights how companies can meet the SEC's climate disclosure ruling through independent assurance and applies lessons from financial reporting control environments to ESG programs.
Apr 12, 2023 • 9min
Reflections from Reuters' Responsible Business
Host Mandi McReynolds shares insights from Reuters' flagship event, Responsible Business USA 2023, where she moderated a panel on collecting audit-ready ESG data. Mandi shares key takeaways from her time in New York, including using technology to balance business and societal impact and aligning ESG and financial statements. Previous ESG Talk episodes on SEC regulation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4D4YjU7MUE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHcLVwXUL_4
Apr 7, 2023 • 27min
Applying an Economic Lens to ESG
Alex Edmans, finance professor at London Business School and leading expert on sustainable finance, joins Mandi McReynolds, vice president of ESG at Workiva. Alex and Mandi discuss sustainability and long-term value creation, including the importance and limitations of data and executive compensation.
