In this episode, we explore what governance really means when innovation is on the line. Susanne Katus is joined by Beth Kaplan — seasoned board director and former operating executive — to discuss how boards can create the cultural conditions for bold thinking, why the fear of being wrong is the biggest obstacle to innovation, and what it takes to build trust in the boardroom.

This episode features Beth Kaplan, an independent board director with over 35 years of leadership experience across consumer brands including Crocs, Rent the Runway, Brilliant Earth, and GNC. Beth has served as Compensation Committee Chair across multiple public company boards and brings a rare perspective shaped by decades in both operating leadership and the boardroom.

If you want to stay in the loop on the evolving world of non-financial risk and corporate strategy — from AI and climate to market access and workforce management — join Harbor, our community platform for professionals leading those efforts. Get access to exclusive content, events, and the opportunity to submit questions for future podcast guests.

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The Collective Impact Podcast — a conversation series spotlighting leaders shaping responsible business from the inside out. Hosted by Marjella Lecourt-Alma, CEO and co-founder of Datamaran, and co-hosted this episode by Datamaran CRO Nick Geurds, the podcast brings candid conversations with executives at the forefront of sustainability, leadership, culture, and long-term value creation.

In Episode 2, we explore what leadership looks like when uncertainty is the only constant. Marjella and Nick are joined by Hanne Jesca Bax and Michael Sheren to discuss how organizations can build resilience in the face of ongoing disruption, the qualities leaders need to navigate complexity, and what signals from global capital markets reveal about risk, investment, and long-term value creation. The conversation spans leadership, sustainability, governance, and the evolving expectations placed on businesses operating in an increasingly unpredictable world.

This episode features Hanne Jesca Bax (EY) and Michael Sheren (CISL). Hanne Jesca is EY Global Vice Chair for Clients & Industries, where she ensures EY teams stay closely aligned to clients’ critical needs. She focuses on building forward-thinking relationships with C-suite leaders, driving solutions innovation, and improving client experience at scale. She is also a member of the EY Global Executive. Hanne Jesca is passionate about creating an inclusive environment where diverse voices are heard and valued, fostering innovation and growth.

Michael Sheren is a global leader in green finance, governance, and sustainable policy. He is a former Senior Advisor at the Bank of England and Co-Chair of the G20 Sustainable Finance Study Group.

He is an active investor and board director in green and clean technology companies, with extensive experience as a Non-Executive Director and senior advisor across sectors and jurisdictions. He brings over 25 years of global investment banking experience in New York and London.

If you want to stay in the loop on the evolving world of non-financial risk and corporate strategy—from AI and climate to market access and workforce management—join Harbor, our community platform for professionals leading those efforts. Get access to exclusive content, events, and the opportunity to submit questions for future podcast guests.

Register for Harbor here:

https://lp.datamaran.com/harbor

Follow Datamaran on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/datamaran

Introducing the Collective Impact Podcast — a conversation series spotlighting leaders shaping responsible business from the inside out. Hosted by Marjella Lecourt-Alma, CEO and co-founder of Datamaran, and Sandy Nessing, Senior Advisor at TRC Companies, the podcast brings candid conversations with executives at the forefront of sustainability, leadership, culture, and long-term value creation. This episode features Mindy Grossman, a transformative business leader with more than four decades of experience across retail, wellness, and consumer brands. From leadership roles at Nike, Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger, to reinventing HSN as a digital-first platform and leading the bold rebrand of WW (formerly Weight Watchers) alongside Oprah, Mindy shares insights on courageous leadership, innovation, and building resilient, future-ready businesses. In this episode, she brings refreshing honesty, deep personal experience, and a clear-eyed view of what leadership requires in moments of disruption.