The Pre-Read

AI is here, and it's sparking conversations about everything from how we work to how we report. This episode of The Pre-Read, brought to you by Workiva, dives into the heart of what happens when artificial intelligence meets the real world of finance and risk. We're talking about why CFOs, general counsels, and audit chairs are all leaning in—and what questions they're asking. 

Our own CFO, Jill Klindt, spills the beans about how finance teams can use AI to make their jobs better, not replace them. Think augmenting expertise and making those tedious tasks disappear. She's also got the inside scoop on why data quality is like gold for AI success and why CFOs should lead the charge when it comes to experimenting with this new tech. 

Plus, Alan Wilson, Partner at WilmerHale, gives us the straight talk on the legal side of things. He emphasizes getting your legal team involved early, treating AI just like any other business risk, and keeping an eye on how regulatory accountability is already shaping up. It's a must-listen for anyone ready to navigate the exciting, and sometimes head-scratching, world of AI. 

 
Timestamps:

02:30 Jill K. on AI: Enhancing human expertise versus automating the mundane. 

05:10 Unlocking value: Where AI fits into your income statement. 

08:00 Inside Workiva's AI strategy: Collaborating to build better tech. 

10:45 Why clean data is the secret sauce for AI success. 

13:30 Jill K's candid advice for executives embracing the AI future. 

15:45 Alan W. on looping in legal when implementing AI. 

18:30 Public perception: How to talk about AI without overselling it. 

21:00 Navigating the legal maze: Agencies, juries, and the "AI washing" problem. 

24:30 Peering into the crystal ball: Unforeseen risks and the future of AI. 

Just like the slides before a big meeting, The Pre-Read gets CFOs and execs ready for what's next. Each week, hosts Alyssa Zucker and Steve Soter connect the dots between finance, sustainability, audit, and risk — with sharp insights and unfiltered conversations from leaders navigating change at scale. If you're driving transformation or need to understand the ones who are, this is your prep.

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In this bonus episode of ESG Talk, we throw back to a live recording of our sister show Off the Books. Charley Nelson is an environmental policy major who joined a technical accounting team at Etsy. Charley explains why that actually makes sense and what he's learned from working with accountants.

If you have thoughts, suggestions, or topics you'd like us to explore, don't hesitate to reach out! You can contact us at [email protected]

Join Mandi McReynolds and an esteemed panel at UnDavos as they dive into the evolving role of Chief Sustainability Officers post-global elections. Featuring insights from top executives like Dr. Anna Gawlikowska, Co-Founder & CEO @ Swiss AI AG, Rainer Karcher, Founder & CEO of Heartprint GmbH, and Viktoriia Savitska, Chief of Sustainability and Strategic Engagement from EPICNTR Group, this discussion covers the essential values driving their sustainability strategies, the importance of collaboration, and the innovative use of AI to tackle sustainability challenges. Tune in to discover how industry leaders are navigating regulatory landscapes, business performance, and environmental impact to build a sustainable future.

This week, Deanna Bratter, Chief Sustainability Officer at Crocs, Inc., joins Alyssa Zucker to talk about the company's pioneering initiatives in the circular economy. They discuss Crocs, Inc.'s introduction of the Keep It Going Classic Clog, made with 25% recycled content, and the 2023 launch of their retail take-back program. Tune in for highlights of the challenges and strategies associated with the program, including customer reactions and scalability. Plus, Crocs, Inc.'s social responsibility initiatives within their supply chain, and so much more! 

In this episode of ESG Talk, Cassandra Garber, chief sustainability officer at Dell Technologies joins host Mandi McReynolds. Listen in as Cassandra and Mandi discuss how the global technology leader incorporates the measurement, management, and governance of ESG priorities into both its operations and product offerings.

This week, Mandi McReynolds, along with co-hosts Steve, Andie, and Alyssa, discuss the latest findings from Workiva's Executive Benchmark survey that explores the intersection of finance and sustainability amidst global political complexities. Highlighting the importance of integrated reporting, they address the impact of European legislation, ISSB standards, and U.S. state-level regulations. The conversation delves into the strategic value creation of sustainability reporting and offers practical advice for engaging with the C-suite.


Read the 2025 Executive Benchmark on Integrated Reporting. 

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:35 Executive Benchmark Survey Insights
01:51 Impact of European Legislation on Companies
05:04 Global Implementation of ISSB Standards
07:48 State-Level Climate Regulations in the US
13:40 Value Creation Through Sustainability Reporting
18:52 Practical Tips and Humorous Insights
28:58 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

This episode of ESG Talk is a special crossover with the accounting and finance podcast, Off The Books! The momentum behind sustainability is changing around the world. How are companies adjusting their environmental, social, and governance programs as the political landscape shifts?

Steve and Catherine ask Brandon Buhler, Chief Accounting Officer for Playa Hotels and Resorts, and Esther Toth, Senior Industry Principal at Workiva, about the future of sustainability.

Read some original research on this topic here.

In this episode of ESG Talk, Amy Brachio, global vice chair of sustainability at EY, and Michael Goldhaber, a senior research scholar at New York University's Stern Center for Business and Human Rights, join the show with Alyssa Zucker. Listen in as they explore how shareholder advocacy is evolving on environmental and social issues and what it means for companies.