Financial data has its challenges—but non-financial data is a different scale of complexity. It cuts vertically up and down the value chain, and now requires the same level of confidence as financials, with board sign-off and external assurance becoming the norm. In this episode of The Pre-Read, we break down how finance and sustainability leaders are aligning around programs like sustainability-linked bonds, why a long-term mindset matters, and how AI is helping organizations make sense of fragmented, non-standardized information. • Why sustainability data is more complex than financial data • The need for integration—top-down from the board and across every business unit • How companies build data confidence through external assurance • The two-pillar reporting model: impact (GRI, SDGs) and value (ISSB, TCFD, TNFD) • Why brave leadership and a growth mindset are essential for adopting new technology Featuring: Esther An, CSO, City Developments Limited Andrea Amozurrutia Casillas, Finance and Sustainability Director, Grupo Herdez Read the full report on how professionals are building value with AI: workiva.com/pr-building-value Key Segments: 01:00 | Why sustainability data is more complex 03:50 | The two-pillar approach: Impact + value 08:30 | Esther An on board sign-off and assurance 15:30 | Long-term view in a volatile environment 18:00 | Andrea Amozurrutia Casillas on sustainability-linked bonds 25:30 | Why AI matters for data chaos Find more conversations at workiva.com/podcast/the-pre-read Subscribe for upcoming episodes.
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The CSO Role Is Evolving: A Strategic Partner to the CFO
The chief sustainability officer (CSO) is moving from a siloed function to a strategic, finance-aligned partner. In this episode of The Pre-Read, Workiva Chief Sustainability Officer Mandi McReynolds sits down with Serena Oppenheim, co-founder of Fin-Erth, to discuss the need for a tighter integration between the CFO and the CSO, framing sustainability as enterprise risk management. Serena Oppenheim explains why genuine community, not transactional networking, is the key to tackling big business problems. Learn about the power of the small ask—focusing on manageable tasks that impact business and society. Mandi and Serena also share: Why the CFO, CSO, and CIO worlds are starting to work together The growing frustration when the sustainability function sits in a silo How to build your own "table" with people who will challenge your thinking The importance of asking different questions in a new executive role Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:50 Climate Week takeaways: The partnership of the CFO and CSO 03:30 Framing sustainability as enterprise risk management 04:20 Serena Oppenheim on building trust and community 05:15 The power of the small ask 07:10 Why traditional networking is awful for introverts 09:40 The accidental birth of Thin Earth as a community 12:50 Being intentional with C-suite relationships 17:00 How to build your own table with dissenters 20:45 Leaning into a different perspective at the executive table 25:00 Finding your business superpower to build your table 2 8:00 Driving strategy by looking at financial and sustainability data together
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31:29
Evolving the Go-to-Market: An Executive's Guide to AI's Impact
AI has completely changed the rules of marketing, and finance can't afford to play catch-up. Workiva's VP of Revenue Marketing, Joel Capperella, joins Steve Soter to unpack how AI is reshaping data, trust, and decision-making across the business. As progression analysis evolves and web traffic declines, traditional forecasting and investment models are losing their edge. This episode breaks down what modern finance and marketing leaders must do to keep pace. You'll learn: Why the old CFO-CMO disconnect is no longer sustainable How AI's data disruption is forcing a new model of collaboration Why credibility and transparency are now the most valuable data currencies What separates a caretaker CFO from a truly transformative one Watch the full episode for practical insights on data trust, financial transformation, and redefining success in the age of AI. 00:00 Introduction 01:14 Rewriting the Marketing Playbook with AI 02:42 The Changing Role of CFOs in the AI Era 06:25 The Future of Marketing and Finance Collaboration 10:14 Closing Thoughts
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Why AI Needs Humans
AI is revolutionizing finance, but the hardest part isn't coding or controls—it's fear. In this episode of The Pre-Read, recorded live at Amplify 2025 in Washington, D.C., finance and accounting leaders share unfiltered takes on how AI is changing the way teams think, work, and lead. You'll learn: Why fear of losing data lineage and control slows AI adoption How AI is driving teams to strengthen data processes—even before they deploy it Why emotional resilience and communication are essential for transformation Real-world AI use cases freeing up time for high-value work How to lead through uncertainty with confidence and trust Time stamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:43 AI in Finance: Leaders' Perspectives 03:23 Concerns and Benefits of AI Adoption 08:24 Navigating Uncertainty with AI 14:11 Broader Uncertainty and Leadership 16:56 Optimizing Team Efficiency with AI 18:22 Addressing AI Fears and Human Value 19:21 Maintaining Team Resilience and Progress 22:55 The Importance of Check-ins and Communication 24:45 Embracing AI as a Team Companion 28:19 Navigating Rapid Change and Continuous Improvement Hosted by Steve Soter and Alyssa Zucker. Learn more at workiva.com/podcast/the-pre-read
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Getting AI Right: Ensuring Success and Avoiding Brain Rot
AI isn't perfect and sometimes it makes us worse at our jobs. Jen Stave of the Digital, Data, and Design Institute at Harvard joins The Pre-Read to explore why even top experts can become less effective with AI, what "cognitive offloading" really means, and why the future of AI success depends on human culture, not just code. Watch to learn: How the "jagged frontier" changes AI's reliability Why some workers thrive with AI while others falter The hidden risks of treating AI like a teammate What leaders can do to create a culture of safe experimentation
Just like the slides you get before a big meeting, The Pre-Read gets CFOs and other decision-makers ready for what's next. This is the global podcast built for the modern office of the CFO, where finance, sustainability, audit, and risk come together.
Designed for financial leaders navigating transformation at scale, the show features sharp, unfiltered conversations with insiders at the forefront of business, regulation, and enterprise strategy. Each week, hosts Alyssa Zucker and Steve Soter, along with our bench of expert segment reporters, connect the dots between financial performance, regulatory demands, and long-term value creation.
From new disclosure mandates to AI and assurance readiness, The Pre-Read helps you track the forces reshaping business. We cover what matters globally, cross-functionally, and with just enough candor to keep it real. If you're making decisions at scale, or need to understand the leaders who are, you're in the right place.
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