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In our Forecast 2021 podcast series, we’re focused on preparing you for the year ahead by offering insights to help you better understand and manage some of the opportunities and challenges that your company might face—think policy, technology, and other big picture topics. With the first 100 days of the new administration behind us, host Heather Horn sat down with Roz Brooks, PwC’s US Public Policy Leader, to discuss the latest in Washington DC with a focus on our place in the global landscape and how CFOs should prepare to respond.

Topics include:

• 0:49 - New legislation. Roz opens with an update on the infrastructure bill. She notes that the focus is on innovation and restoring the US as a global leader. Other focus areas of the Biden administration include supply chain resiliency and our relationship with China. 
• 10:43 - Innovation funding. CFOs should think about how an investment in human infrastructure could impact their workforce as the new plans focus on closing the income inequality gap. 
• 19:10 - Onshoring. Roz and Heather turn their attention to how the administration is focused on helping companies onshore some of their supply chains. 
• 22:01 - Climate change. The Biden administration has put addressing climate change at the forefront of their agenda, both domestic and foreign. Roz explains how climate is even influencing financing nowadays. 
• 28:56 - Future focus. Roz answers our usual question about the hope for bipartisanship, noting DC is still much of a house divided but she sees future opportunities to find common ground. 

Want to learn more? Check out PwC’s summary of the administration’s top priorities.

Listen to PwC’s podcast episodes:

• Forecast 2021: Top US economic trends to watch
• Forecast 2021: The impacts of China's global macrotrends
• Forecast 2021: What to expect from the new administration

Roz Brooks is PwC's US Public Policy Leader. Roz is responsible for ensuring PwC has a voice in important debates at the nexus of business and government and helping the firm successfully execute its business strategy. Roz leads PwC’s engagement with Congress, the White House, regulatory agencies, state and local governments, and organizations including trade associations, think tanks, and NGOs. 

Heather Horn is PwC’s National Office thought leader, responsible for developing our communications strategy and conveying firm positions on accounting and financial reporting matters. She is the engaging host of PwC’s accounting and reporting weekly podcast and quarterly webcast series, as well as periodic webcasts for the power and utilities industry. With nearly 30 years of experience, Heather’s accounting and auditing expertise includes financial instruments and rate-regulated accounting.

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