Sustainable Intelligence

In this episode of Sustainable Intelligence, Conor O’Laoire, Head of Partnerships at Novata, joins us to talk about what it takes to build strong, profitable partnerships in the sustainability space. Conor shares how Novata’s strategy has evolved from early ecosystem building to a sharp focus on revenue-generating distribution partnerships that scale the business globally.

He reflects on how Novata selects partners, prioritizing shared vision, domain expertise, and strong relationships. He discusses the significance of landmark collaborations with Microsoft and S&P Global Sustainable1, which expand Novata’s reach and impact. The conversation offers a clear view of how thoughtful partnerships can shape a company’s sustainability journey and why distribution is central to Novata’s future.

In this episode, we sit down with Rochelle March, Founder of People Places Words Action (PPWA), to discuss how AI is reshaping the sustainability landscape. Rochelle shares how companies are using AI to boost efficiency, uncover insights, and tackle complex global challenges like climate risk, biodiversity, and supply chain impact. She also explores the balance between humans and AI, the rise of responsible AI practices, and how sustainability professionals can build their own AI capacity to drive change.

California has just set a new bar for climate transparency with SB 253 and SB 261, and thousands of companies will soon be on the hook. But what do these laws really mean for businesses and investors?

In this episode of Sustainable Intelligence, we are joined by Jessie Miller, Senior Manager, Advisory at Novata, to unpack the details. We explore who’s in scope, the timelines and requirements coming in 2026, the practical costs to plan for, and why climate disclosure is evolving beyond a compliance exercise into a strategic advantage. Jessie also shares Novata’s four-step approach to help companies prepare, highlighting how smart disclosure can reveal both risks and opportunities that drive long-term value.

In this episode of Sustainable Intelligence, Nick Donoghue, Lead Product Manager at Novata, discusses what it takes to design sustainability software that actually works. From meeting diverse compliance needs to unlocking real business value, Nick shares insights on integrating sustainability across an organization, choosing the right tools, and making data work harder. Whether you’re a sustainability leader or simply curious about the tech driving ESG progress, this conversation delivers practical takeaways and a clear-eyed view of what matters most.

In this episode, we sit down with Kyle Flick, Novata’s Head of APAC, to explore the shifting sustainability landscape across Asia Pacific. From carbon accounting becoming the norm to LPs driving demand for better ESG data, Kyle shares insights from eight months on the ground.

We unpack how regulations, value creation, and energy realities are shaping firm behavior, why APAC investors are thinking in decades, not quarters, and what sustainability trends are gaining ground across diverse markets. 

Climate risk isn’t a distant threat, it’s a material financial reality. In this episode, Matt Babic, Advisory Manager at Novata, breaks down what today’s investors need to understand about the evolving climate landscape, the data that matters, and how to assess risk and opportunity across portfolios. 

Whether you're navigating new regulations or rethinking your investment strategy, this conversation brings clarity to a complex, high-stakes issue. The question is: Are you equipped to see the financial impact before it hits your bottom line?

In this special edition of Sustainable Intelligence to recognize Novata’s 4th anniversary, host Ella Williamson is joined by Rachel Yoo, Founder & CEO of Hiro, and Nadia Haile, Lead Designer & Strategist at Hiro, to reflect on the journey of building Novata’s brand.

From naming and visual identity to brand voice and evolution, we unpack what it really takes to create a sustainability brand that feels credible, human, and built to last. You’ll hear how Novata, a blend of “nova” (new light) and “data,” became the foundation for a brand rooted in purpose and clarity. Plus, they explore how great brands show rather than tell to lead in a crowded marketplace.

Whether you’re a founder, marketer, or sustainability leader, this episode offers an inspiring look at branding with purpose and how it evolves as you grow.

Private credit is fast becoming a force in ESG reporting, but it’s not simply following in private equity’s footsteps. In this episode of Sustainable Intelligence, host Ella Williamson speaks with Alex Jackson, Senior Customer Success Manager at Novata, about what’s driving the surge in sustainability momentum across credit markets.

From shifting LP expectations to increasing collaboration across the capital stack, Alex unpacks the trends, tools, and tensions shaping how credit GPs are approaching ESG. Whether you're just starting your data collection journey or refining your reporting strategy, this conversation offers practical insights and a reminder that progress beats perfection.

Tune in to learn why sustainability is becoming a team sport in private markets, and how credit firms can lead with clarity, collaboration, and confidence.

Dr. Julie Anderson, Director of the Master of Science in Sustainability Management at American University’s Kogod School of Business, joins this episode of Sustainable Intelligence to explore what the global rollback of sustainability regulations really means for investors. While recent policy shifts, from SEC revisions to the EU’s “stop the clock” directive, may appear to signal retreat, Julie argues they actually open the door to a more complex, opportunity-rich landscape. This episode frames today’s uncertainty as a strategic reset, not a regression. For investors and companies alike, now is the time to sharpen tools, rethink value creation, and build resilience for a future where sustainability is business as usual.

Joining us today is David Willans, Director of Sustainability at Bladonmore, to unpack the shifting dynamics of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) in today’s business and political climate. As media narratives and stakeholder pressures intensify, companies are responding in divergent ways. Some are retreating, others reframing, and a few holding the line. David explores the critical disconnect between public values and DEI program perceptions, revealing how communication missteps have opened the door for politicization and resistance. He underscores the importance of data and storytelling in grounding DEI efforts within business strategy and building long-term credibility. With clarity and candor, this conversation surfaces both the structural challenges and new opportunities to move DEI from controversy toward constructive change.