Agenda topics, timing and speakers subject to change.
Day 1: Tuesday, March 22
10:00 am – 11:00 am Eastern
Delivering ESG and Business Value: A CFO’s Perspective on an Emerging ESG Program
(1 CPE Credit | Field of Study - Finance)
For several years, ESG has dominated headlines and board rooms, as stakeholder reporting demands evolve, and regulators move forward with landscape-changing ESG disclosure mandates. But behind the important and lofty aspirations of ESG on a global scale, how are individual finance and sustainability teams implementing and maturing their own ESG programs to deliver both business and ESG value, driven by transparent, investor-grade reporting?
In this fireside chat Jill Klindt, CFO and Executive Chair of Workiva’s ESG Task Force and CFO member of the UN Global Compact CFO Taskforce for Sustainable Development Goals, we will discuss the lessons learned from Workiva’s own emerging ESG program, from her perspective as both a tenured finance and sustainability leader. Learn about the challenges, successes, and next steps in Workiva’s own ESG journey.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the role of finance teams in helping mature nascent ESG programs
- Describe the early roadmap and components for successfully launching ESG initiatives
- Recall potential challenges for developing ESG processes
- Recognize how a shared vision between sustainability and finance teams can deliver business and ESG value for organizations
- Understand the importance of data quality for both ESG and financial reporting
Speaker:
- Jill Klindt | Chief Financial Officer and ESG Task Force Executive Chair | Workiva
- Steve Soter | Industry Principal, Accounting & Finance | Workiva
11:00 am – 12:00 pm Eastern
Opening Remarks
Speaker:
- Andrej Suskavcevic, CAE | President and CEO | Financial Executives International / Financial Education & Research Foundation
The Latest from the SASB & Perspectives on the new ISSB
(1 CPE Credit | Field of Study - Finance)
Join Jeff Hales and Bob Hirth for a fireside chat discussing the SASB accomplishments and priorities, including an update on the Value Reporting Foundation’s upcoming consolidation into the IFRS Foundation, which is establishing the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).
Speakers:
- Jeff Hales | Chair | Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB)
- Bob Hirth | Senior Managing Director | Protiviti
Co-Vice Chair | Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB)
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Eastern
Boards and The Sustainability Pivot
(1 CPE Credit | Field of Study - Finance)
Boards are increasing their attention on ESG topics to better advise on how ESG should factor into corporate value creation and external reporting. Hear what boards are being trained on related to ESG and gain a better understanding of the director-level perspective on ESG topics.
Speaker:
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm Eastern
Break
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
Rethinking Governance and Talent around ESG Reporting
(1 CPE Credit | Field of Study - Finance)
Scaling efforts to increase ESG integration into financial reporting requires careful planning and an understanding of talent needs. In this session, Deloitte will present with companies to talk through real world examples of the key governance issues finance leaders need to consider and how companies are leveraging talent inside and outside the finance profession to enhance ESG reporting efforts.
Speaker:
- Jim Holmberg | Senior VP and Controller | Fannie Mae
- Mark Rogers | Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | Amkor Technology, Inc.
- Kristen Sullivan | Partner | Deloitte & Touche, LLP
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Eastern
Approaching ESG Materiality Assessments
(1 CPE Credit | Field of Study - Finance)
The definition of materiality has evolved over time due to the application of varying standards, frameworks, and increasingly diverse reporting contexts. ESG reporting introduces new terms to the materiality discussion, such as double, dynamic, and nested. In this session, KPMG will discuss what materiality means in the context of ESG reporting, how a materiality assessment is currently used to identify and prioritize relevant ESG topics, and how companies can best prepare for anticipated regulatory updates.
Speaker:
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm Eastern
ESG: Why It Matters to Your Business, Board, and Investors
(1 CPE Credit | Field of Study - Finance)
ESG has moved beyond a public relations tactic--its now critical for long-term success. There are many stakeholders to consider when developing an ESG strategy, and a focus on stakeholders with financial implications is critical. In this session, we'll cover investment trends, benefits of voluntary reporting, and technology tools to support ESG programs. We'll also lead discussion on tactics to develop an ESG program to appeal to your board and investors.
Speaker:
Day 2: Thursday, March 24
10:00 am – 11:00 Pm Eastern
Recommendations for Improving the ESG Data Ecosystem (Government Policy)
(1 CPE Credit | Field of Study - Information Technology)
In January 2022, the Data Coalition released its recommendations on the best approach to secure transparency and accuracy of ESG data with high quality, standardized, machine readable and auditable data delivered for internal and external reporting. This is a significant challenge at hand for all stakeholders in the ESG ecosystem. Whether you are a corporate reporting entity, data aggregator, rating/research firm, investment manager, or asset owner, there is a lot of confusion related to ESG data.
DFIN's panel of speakers brings to light the need for standardized, machine readable and audited data, while looking at the current global ESG reporting trends, how investors are utilizing ESG in analysis and when adopted how machine readable data provides stakeholders with complete, accurate, consistent and decision useful information.
Speaker:
11:00 am – 12:00 Pm Eastern
Minding the ESG Gap (Analysis)
(1 CPE Credit | Field of Study - Finance)
Understanding current ESG reporting efforts and implementing new processes to support the accurate collection, storage, collation, and analysis of ESG data continues to be a significant challenge facing finance when integrating ESG into financial reporting. In this session, EY will be joined by companies they've recently worked with to talk through real world examples of designing robust processes and implementing an integrated governance structure around ESG reporting during this session.
Speaker:
- Jackie Klos | Partner, Financial Accounting Advisory Services | Ernst & Young LLP
- Liz Matson | Senior Manager, Climate Change & Sustainability Services | Ernst & Young LLP
- Sophia Mendelsohn | Chief Sustainability Officer | Cognizant
- Rob Telesmanic | Chief Accounting Officer | Cognizant
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm Eastern
Navigating ESG Data and Technology Platforms
(1 CPE Credit | Field of Study - Information Technology)
ESG data is considerably more bespoke than finance-related data, giving rise to a lack of conformity and support from existing tools and technologies. Leading experts working to support increased ESG data quality and analysis speak on where technology is heading and what professionals should consider as they invest in technology solutions to support ESG reporting efforts.
Speaker:
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm Eastern
Break
1:30 pm – 2:30 pm Eastern
International Updates and Impacts to US Multinational Companies
(1 CPE Credit | Field of Study - Finance)
Experts on the practical implications of standard setting at the ISSB and the European Commission’s ESG-related proposals explain the potential impacts of pending ESG standards and reporting requirements for multinational entities headquartered in the United States.
Speaker:
- Jens Berger | Partner | Deloitte & Touche, LLP
- Conor Holland | Director, ESG Reporting | KPMG Ireland
- Marc Siegel | Assurance Partner, Corporate & ESG Reporting Thought Leader | Ernst & Young LLP
2:30 pm - 3:30 pm Eastern
Carbon Reporting Challenges and Best Practices (Scope 1, 2, and 3)
(1 CPE Credit | Field of Study - Finance)
Among the various ESG metrics currently disclosed, those related to carbon are the most common. Significant complexities surround carbon reporting, especially when reporting on Scope 3 emissions. Experts in carbon reporting will discuss these complexities and provide key considerations for preparers.
Speaker:
- Nicole Bouquet | National Director, ESG | Apex
- Mike Wallace | Senior Vice President, Strategic Market Engagement | Persefoni
- Beth Wyke | Partner, Corporate Assurance | ERM CVS
Closing Remarks
Back to ESG Ecosystem: Micro Perspectives