The ESG Compliance Podcast

Page Motes joins us today with her expertise in sales and compliance. She shares how tech giant Dell is working on ESG compliance, the transferable skills compliance professionals must have to advance, the significance of multi-disciplinary learning, and how customers can contribute to this by making a more significant social impact. ▶️ The Role of Digital Solutions in ESG with Page Motes: Key points discussed in the episode: (00:00:36) Page Motes lays out her professional background. She describes the fast-paced culture and vendors' often-overlooked concerns in large companies. Since then, she has sworn to only be in a position to “use my talents to help advance goodness in the world.” (00:11:13) Page Motes defines ESG in Dell as “all things environmental and then an aspect of the human rights piece.” She underlines the three most important skills for compliance professionals: knowing how to deal with ambiguity, being an ultimate connector, and exerting authority. (00:14:37) Her message to compliance professionals hesitant to move into ESG: have the desire to learn different disciplines. (00:17:30) Dell aims to deepen and broaden gathered data across its supply chain to disclose information based on government requirements properly. Some Scope Three categories remain difficult to report. (00:19:49) ESG results brought Dell to create Eureka, a crowdsourcing tool for employees to share their ideas with higher-ups and have them kickstarted. (00:23:58) The different corporate functions in Dell's sustainability efforts. (00:25:58) Page Motes predictions for Dell's ESG endeavors – more customer involvement and collaboration. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a podcast (or do you want to)? Join the only network dedicated to compliance, risk management, and business ethics, the Compliance Podcast Network. For more information, contact Tom Fox at tfox@tfoxlaw.com.

Mandi McReynolds, the Global Head of ESG in Workiva, joins the show to discuss how tech solutions have made ESG reporting easier, what organizations should consider before investing in tech, the significance of putting stakeholders at top priority, and the future of tech in ESG.  ▶️ Simplifying ESG with Thomas Fox & Mandi McReynolds: Key points discussed in the episode: ✔️ Mandi McReynolds emphasizes the importance of communicating with your stakeholders to identify your company's societal and business values. Stakeholders consist of internal, external, and customers. ✔️ Mandi McReynolds describes how Workiva simplifies the ESG reporting process. ✔️ Internal controls are the backbone of an effective ESG program. In order to create processes that stakeholders can trust, have different subject matter experts to add value to the discussion. ✔️ Look at the business value drivers and societal impact value drivers of your ESG plan. Before investing in tech and talent, identify your strategic value in terms of materiality assessment and assessment engagement. ✔️ Bring a holistic picture of what your stakeholders care about as it relates to ESG. ✔️ How financial value has always been intrinsically linked to ESG reporting. ✔️ Find the balance between achieving your ESG commitments and not burning dollars in the process. ✔️ Mandi McReynolds gives her predictions on the future of the technological component of ESG. Mandi McReynolds is an award-winning author, educator, and practitioner-scholar. She has spent her career building corporate responsibility and environmental, social, and governance divisions across four different industries. Mandi serves as the Senior Director, Environment, Social, and Governance at Workiva. McReynolds is the co-editor and co-author of the book Diving Deep in Community Engagement: A Model for Professional Development. She received her B.A. in Organizational Communications from Cedarville University and M.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies: Speech Communication, Women Studies, and Higher Education from Iowa State University. She enjoys swimming and playing volleyball with her daughter, Ava, and traveling with her husband, Adam. Resources Learn more about Workiva - ESG reporting made simple - https://www.workiva.com/. Mandi McReynolds on LinkedIn ESG Talk Podcast ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a podcast (or do you want to)? Join the only network dedicated to compliance, risk management, and business ethics, the Compliance Podcast Network. For more information, contact Tom Fox at tfox@tfoxlaw.com.

Vault Platform CCO Tori Reichman joins the show to discuss how employers should embrace their employees' expectations, use tech solutions to report misconduct, value ethics and mission alignment more than ever before, and what companies should do to retain top talent.  ▶️ Supporting the S in ESG through Tech Solutions with Tori Reichman: Key points discussed in the episode: ✔️ Tori Reichman explains her interpretation of the S in ESG. ✔️ The role of ethics and ESG implementation in a company's culture. Employees are encouraged to report misconduct so cases can undergo evaluation and investigation. ✔️ Tech solutions help businesses have a more precise grasp on their ethical health. Having data all in one place takes away all the extra work. ✔️ Companies are now held to a higher standard due to employees being more vocal when their practices are considered unethical or go against their morals. ✔️ While millennials and Gen Z-ers are more comfortable leaving jobs for greener pastures, baby boomers and Gen X-ers prefer to stay longer. However, both choose employment in companies that align with their values and beliefs. ✔️ The Great Resignation resulted from employees realizing they disagreed with their workplace's culture and mission. As time passed, workers shifted to a more realistic approach in selecting their employment. ✔️ When companies are true to their vision and mission, this encourages employees to stay longer. The interest to evolve and implement ESG platforms has reached organizational levels that have never been seen before. ✔️ How a business interacts internally attracts new talent. Modern employees consider things beyond the 8 hours when working for you. Tori Reichman is a Founding Team Member and Chief Customer Officer in Vault Platform, where the vision is a world in which workplaces are inclusive, safe, and diverse. Vault's mission is to provide companies with the world-class ethics and compliance tools they need, delighting them with innovative, simple, intuitive, and empathetic technology and surprising them with unrivaled customer support to help them achieve their goals. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a podcast (or do you want to)? Join the only network dedicated to compliance, risk management, and business ethics, the Compliance Podcast Network. For more information, contact Tom Fox at tfox@tfoxlaw.com.

Lawrence Heim joins the podcast to discuss PracticalESG, the CCRcorp-run blog working to provide ESG information in bite-sized pieces, SEC's proposed framework and its contents, the processes of regularizing standards, and what organizations must do to ensure accurate tracking and reporting.  ▶️ Practical ESG with Lawrence Heim: Key points discussed in the episode: ✔️ Practical ESG receives tons of positive feedback and aims to cut through the fluff and marketing. ✔️ With an expert advisory board, PracticalESG has had in-depth contributions on climate issues, investor perspectives, corporate culture, and how they all relate to a successful ESG program. ✔️ Just recently, the ISSB has made public a new multi-jurisdictional working group of regulatory agencies in the accounting and securities arenas for a number of countries. ✔️ Convergence is the process of establishing standards as regulatory. When IFRS adopts a standard, it isn't automatically established as regulatory. Countries must go through legal and administrative processes to make them enforceable. FASB is responsible for this function in US jurisdiction. ✔️ The SEC's proposed framework has three scopes: direct emissions, third-party emissions, and supply chain emissions. ✔️ Lawrence Heim notes a potential misunderstanding in the SEC proposal: CO2 emissions reporting by companies to EPA is limited to operations that emit 25,000 tons of CO2 annually – either directly from their locations or as a result of third-party combustion of the products manufactured (such as gasoline). EPA's CO2 emissions reporting will not ease the proposed SEC emissions calculation burden for companies that are below the EPA threshold. ✔️ Manage and track responses to information requests in your organization. With receptionists, monitor how they reply to more technical questions and equip them with the right tools and know-how. Lawrence Heim is the Editor of CCRCorp's ESG platform, PracticalESG.com, where he shares insights based on over 35 years of supporting companies in environmental, health & safety compliance and management. He's led various types of non-financial audits, designed corrective action programs and helped implement sustainability programs. He spent nearly a decade in-house at a Fortune 150 manufacturer and went on to help create the Global Environmental Risk Consulting Practice at Marsh USA. Later, Lawrence founded & led the Sustainability practice at Elm Consulting Group, and most recently, he led the development of supply chain due diligence standards at the Responsible Business Alliance/Responsible Minerals Initiative. When the SEC's conflict minerals rules were under consideration, Lawrence was the only non-financial auditor selected to give testimony to the Commission. In 2018, he published the book “Killing Sustainability.” Lawrence also sits on the board of ASSET, a non-profit anti-slavery organization. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a podcast (or do you want to)? Join the only network dedicated to compliance, risk management, and business ethics, the Compliance Podcast Network. For more information, contact Tom Fox at tfox@tfoxlaw.com.

Attorneys and professors in law David Snyder and Sarah Dadush join the podcast to discuss the role of contracting in ESG, how a conventional approach to writing contracts may not be the best choice, which issues are fixed, and how accountability should be on both the buyer and supplier.  ▶️ Contracting for ESG with David Snyder and Sarah Dadush: Key points discussed in the episode: ✔️ Supply chains are doing enough for ESG compliance. David Snyder and Sarah Dadush aim to combat this with more effective measures. ✔️ Policies remain unimplemented if they aren't in the contract. Having a supplier code of conduct written with the assistance of a business lawyer isn't enough to create change. ✔️ Working at an oil refinery helped David Snyder learn the true culprit – organized crime. He wanted human and environmental efforts to be treated the same way as product manufacturing. ✔️ ESG can impact both consumer and investor decisions. The California Supply Chains Transparency Act pushed for full disclosure directed at the customers.  ✔️ Focusing only on forced labor leaves out other problems. ✔️ Traditional approaches to contracting ESG don't work, Sarah Dadush says. Not only does it aggravate human rights risks but also increases the company's chances of legal violations. ✔️ David Snyder emphasizes the importance of risk as part of supply chain management and compliance obligations. Lawyers should also play their part in handling clients properly instead of resorting to risk shifting. ✔️ Contracts don't fix all supply chain issues. It all boils down to supply chain resilience. A weaker foundation puts companies in greater danger, especially in times of difficulty like the COVID-19 pandemic. ✔️ Buyers should be responsible when exiting contracts. Contracts have been misused at the height of the pandemic, and consumers are now urging businesses to be accountable for their shortcomings. David Snyder was appointed professor of law at the American University Washington College of Law in the fall of 2007 and was appointed director of the Business Law Program in 2008. During 2021-2022, he also holds a Fernand Braudel Senior Fellowship at the European University Institute (Florence). He graduated summa cum laude from Tulane University Law School in 1991, and he has been a professor of law at Tulane, Indiana (Bloomington), and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He has been a regular visiting professor at the law school of the University of Paris II (Panthéon-Assas) since 2012, and has also been a visiting professor at the University of Paris 10 (Nanterre La Défense), Boston University, and the College of William and Mary. In addition, he has taught summer courses at the University of Mainz (Germany). After graduating from law school, Professor Snyder served as a law clerk to the Honorable John M. Duhé Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and subsequently joined the D.C. firm of Hogan & Hartson (now Hogan Lovells). In 2014 Professor Snyder was awarded a MacCormick Fellowship during which he delivered the annual Wilson Memorial Lecture at the University of Edinburgh. Sarah Dadush's research lies at the intersection of business and human rights. Her scholarship explores various innovative legal mechanisms for improving the social and environmental performance of multinational corporations. She directs the Law School's newly-established Business & Human Rights Law Program and co-leads an ABA Business Law Section Working Group that has developed a comprehensive toolkit for upgrading international supply contracts to better protect workers' human rights. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a podcast (or do you want to)? Join the only network dedicated to compliance, risk management, and business ethics, the Compliance Podcast Network. For more information, contact Tom Fox at tfox@tfoxlaw.com.

Assent Compliance's Travis Miller and Jared Connors join us as they discuss their work in conflict minerals supply chains, how ESG compliance plays a role, what companies should do to interpret data and increase efficiency and recovery, and the future of risk management.  ▶️ ESG Supply Chain Compliance with Travis Miller and Jared Connors: Key points discussed in the episode: ✔️ Companies are starting to realize the significance of making a commitment to ESG through responsible sourcing. ✔️ Outsourcing usually occurs in the most regulated, most dangerous, and least profitable businesses.  ✔️ Business continuity planning is crucial in risk management, more flexible disaster response, and efficient operations. Aside from environmental and social, risk is also a financial concern. ✔️ The most important letter of ESG is P – product, people, and policies. Middle-aged workers are the most vulnerable and highly targeted in inhumane business practices and violations. ✔️ Dig deeper into organizations and understand their commitments to mitigate and prepare for risk.  ✔️ Non-financial risks are pressuring investor disclosures. ✔️ ESG is reorienting the global market and the world. Large-scale environmental and social scandals ruin reputation and business. ✔️ Educating the supply chain contributes to overall company efficiency and risk management. ✔️ Compliance toolkits should be utilized even outside the company. The legal space has become the ideal practice ground for compliance. ✔️ Companies should be proactive in detecting supply chain issues internally. ✔️ Translate technical speak to an executive language to gain interest from the C-level suite. ✔️ Assess supply chain maturity. ✔️Companies are now compelled to make a change due to their global influence. Consumers' cries for environmental and social accountability are now heard – all thanks to social media. Jared Connors is a senior subject matter expert on Corporate Social Responsibility at Assent Compliance, the worlds' leader in supply chain data management. His expertise involves achieving ESG goals by understanding and mitigating potential supply chain risk, the transition from CSR to ESG, how companies can take a holistic approach to ESG, and ESG-related regulations, such as those pertaining to human trafficking and slavery, conflict minerals, and anti-bribery, anti-corruption. Travis Miller is an international trade and compliance attorney who specializes in ITAR/EAR/sanctions, global anti-corruption and anti-slavery, codes of conduct, environmental health and safety, product stewardship, and corporate social responsibility. He manages Assent's worldwide legal activities, advises the Board of Directors on legal matters, and oversees corporate compliance, governance initiatives, and other commercial transactions. Before coming to Assent, he served in various high-level counsel positions with companies such as Microchip Technology, Foresite Group, and St. Jude Medical. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a podcast (or do you want to)? Join the only network dedicated to compliance, risk management, and business ethics, the Compliance Podcast Network. For more information, contact Tom Fox at tfox@tfoxlaw.com.

Gatekeepers of third parties have to handle evolving new questions that ensure ESG initiatives align with the company's values, providing for the welfare of the employees, communities and the environment. Erika Peters, Managing Director and Global Head of Third Party and Supply Chain Risk management at Exiger, chats with Thomas Fox on The ESG Compliance Podcast on the importance of these third parties as an extension of the company and how to hold them accountable.   Watch ▶️ The ESG Standards with Thomas Fox & Erika Peters ✔️ Admittingly, the risk is all around a company's entire ecosystem. Peters says that no third party is more critical and may have a higher risk than another. From an ESG perspective, companies must look at all parties involved that can potentially hurt their brand and reputation.  ✔️ On an ESG framework that doesn't really exist. Many companies around ESG have been asking for government guidance, regulation, or other government signals on standards they should follow. The first step is to see what they already have and the existing data and bring it to one place. ✔️ Technology is the only way to go in 2022 to assess the criticality of a third party. Many companies are still not using technology to bring data together to map their supply chain and then understand the effects of the inherent downstream risks.   ✔️ Transparency is vital for supply chain and third-party risk management solutions provider Exiger. With the launch of the platform Supply Chain Explorer, companies can instantly look into any entity in the world's supply chain. ✔️ Supply chain and third parties are more than just your direct counterparties. Tom Fox and Erika Peters explore how companies should know third parties more than simply their direct counterparties and have direct contact with the fourth, fifth and perhaps even sixth party all the way down the line. ✔️ Erika cites how leadership is an important component of everything in ESG. More information is necessary for those companies in terms of biographical information to start layering on the risk question and set the framework for creating that compliance picture.   Erika Peters is the Managing Director and Global Head of Third Party and Supply Chain Risk management at Exiger. Exiger is the global leader in AI-powered supply chain and third-party risk management solutions. Visit https://www.exiger.com/ and get the early free trial of Supply Chain Explorer in May 2022. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a podcast (or do you want to)? Join the only network dedicated to compliance, risk management, and business ethics, the Compliance Podcast Network. For more information, contact Tom Fox at tfox@tfoxlaw.com.

Attorney David Simon joins us to share his expertise on the essence of G in ESG, the responsibilities of compliance practitioners, how lawyers are the perfect fit for ESG, and the importance of practicing authenticity and integrity in compliance.  ▶️ The Meta Contract and Compliance in Governance with David Simon: Key points discussed in the episode: ✔️ David Simon defines the meta contract as taught by Professor Alan Morrison in his Governance and Ethics course at Oxford University. ✔️ Procedures and internal controls should be given attention in the ESG space. ✔️ The meta contract is the corporation's word. It can also be the organization's brand, culture, and purpose for existing. It embodies what your business is all about. ✔️ Integrity and authenticity are the two key concepts companies must adhere to when applying ESG. Businesses should be real with their values and rank their stakeholders accordingly. ✔️ The FCPA has become a “one-stop-shop” for compliance, providing frameworks and roadmaps. But for any advances to happen, companies must adjust their programs focusing on their individual business risks.  ✔️ Compliance professionals and lawyers shine in ESG roles. Their skillset suits the responsibility of reporting back to the C-levels. They can take meta contracts and enforce them consistently through accurate data tracking and providing feedback. ✔️ The meta contract is an implicit representation of how companies follow legislation. Breaking it is a violation of trust among consumers and their community. David W. Simon is a litigation attorney who devotes much of his practice to helping corporate clients avoid and manage crises that potentially give rise to government enforcement actions. He provides compliance advice, conducts internal investigations, defends companies against enforcement actions, and represents companies in litigation. The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act is a principal focus of Mr. Simon's practice. He also has extensive experience representing clients in antitrust matters and in defending False Claims Act investigations and litigation.  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a podcast (or do you want to)? Join the only network dedicated to compliance, risk management, and business ethics, the Compliance Podcast Network. For more information, contact Tom Fox at tfox@tfoxlaw.com.

GCMR co-founder Mike Munro joins us as he discusses his predictions for ESG standardization and regulations down the road, his written work, the significance of compliance, and staying open to the possibilities of all components of ESG.  ▶️ The Future of ESG in 2022 with Mike Munro: Key points discussed in the episode: ✔️ Mike Munro lists down his firm's services and core focus: helping people understand what ESG is all about. ✔️ Mike Munro believes 2022 will be a pivotal year for ESG and his articles aim to put ESG at the forefront. ✔️ Through their directives, the SEC and the EU will bring specificity on what needs to be tracked and reported. The FCC is also expected to issue climate-related standards. ✔️ The EU has become the frontrunner in implementing human rights regulations. Switzerland and Germany have passed a law requiring reporting. The US still needs to improve in addressing modern slavery issues. ✔️The SEC shows growing interest in human capital. ✔️Once the IFRS Sustainability Board puts out standards, verification and auditing will follow. ✔️ With ESG, companies can be part of the solution. Bigger names shouldn't receive the brunt of the blame as businesses of all sizes should be accountable. ✔️ ESG can be simplified with its focus: getting data accurately and reporting it in an appropriate way. ✔️ The role of compliance is to assist and advise. It helps companies understand the regulations and risks associated with doing business in certain countries. It also promotes educating teams in organizing and collecting accurate and useful information. ✔️ The environmental component is a pain point among compliance professionals. Mike Munro gives advice on how to be more open to the E in ESG: basic knowledge of issues and strong ties with environmental groups. ✔️ Embrace the true value of ESG to your organization. With the understanding of ESG, do your own research and stay curious. ✔️ ESG will continue to gain more attention in the coming years. With more mandates and the recognition of compliance professionals, the future seems optimistic. Mike Munro is the principal and co-founder of GCMR, an ESG and compliance advisory firm. His previous experience includes being the CCO of Odebrecht Engineering & Construction, a partner at Norton Rose Fullbright, deputy general counsel and CCO of Transocean, and global director of ethics and compliance at Baker Hughes. He is a member of the OECD's Trust in Business Network (TriBuNet) and a member of the Executive Consultation Group for the OECD's work on a multi-stakeholder ESG initiative, the Blue Dot Network. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a podcast (or do you want to)? Join the only network dedicated to compliance, risk management, and business ethics, the Compliance Podcast Network. For more information, contact Tom Fox at tfox@tfoxlaw.com.

Compliance and ethics expert Kristy Grant-Hart joins us as she discusses the importance of the compliance function, how it plays into each aspect of ESG, and how CCOs are the most well-suited to take the first step in corporate ESG efforts. Watch ▶️ Leading Compliance Efforts as CCOs with Kristy Grant-Hart: Key points discussed in the episode: ✔️ Kristy Grant-Hart talks about the current situation at Spark Consulting, a book she co-authored, The Compliance Entrepreneurs Handbook, and its impact. ✔️ Compliance is a driver for reputation enhancement. People not only vote with their dollars but also their employee time. ✔️ Kristy Grant-Hart says the ability to gather people and put programs into a framework is what CCOs must have to lead ESG efforts. The 7 Elements of Effective Compliance Program can guide CCOs in creating an ESG program and its monitoring and implementation. ✔️ California becomes the first state to pass a gender-diversity-centered initiative. The social element of diversity goes deeper into the working conditions in the supply chain, sustainably-sourced products, and low carbon emissions. ✔️ With ESG, companies can be part of the solution. Bigger names shouldn't receive the brunt of the blame as businesses of all sizes should be accountable. ✔️ With the UK Modern Slavery Act, ESG has been placed at the forefront, pressuring companies to disclose the truth in what transpires in their supply chains. ✔️ Having a strong law background, Kristy Grant-Hart and Thomas Fox exchange ideas on the significance of lawyers in ESG endeavors. Learning the new jargon and talking to experts can help ease the hesitation to delve into this playing field. ✔️ CCOs are encouraged to be the frontrunners in compliance as they hold the authority to create a significant impact on a corporate scale. The ability to be relevant is a great opportunity in compliance. Kristy Grant-Hart is a compliance and data privacy thought leader specializing in transforming compliance departments into in-demand business assets. She's been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Compliance Week, Compliance and Ethics Professional Magazine, and many others. She was named a Trust Across America 2019 Top Thought Leader in Trust. She is the CEO of Spark Compliance Consulting, a London, Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago-based consultancy providing pragmatic, pro-business, proportionate compliance ethics solutions. She is the creator of Compliance Competitor, an facilitated online training game built on business simulation software. She's the author of the best-selling book, "How to Be a Wildly Effective Compliance Officer." LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristygranthart/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a podcast (or do you want to)? Join the only network dedicated to compliance, risk management, and business ethics, the Compliance Podcast Network. For more information, contact Tom Fox at tfox@tfoxlaw.com.

This is perhaps one of the most unique stories in this podcast series. Business sophomore Jules Oringel's goal is to work in ESG and sustainability at a global, impactful organization. Double-majoring in business administration with a concentration in ESG and human organizational leadership and development, Jules Oringel strives to make her passion into a professional career by immersing herself in environmentally-inclined projects to gain experience. She also encourages people her age to do the same.  ▶️ Pursuing ESG as an Academic Path for the New Generation with Jules Oringel: Key points discussed in the episode: ✔️ Jules Oringel talks about her current studies and hobbies. ✔️ Jules Oringel gives a background on her childhood experiences that have greatly influenced her pursuit in ESG: entrepreneurial parents, losing a friend in a school shooting, and battling with anxiety. ✔️ Jules Oringel's new purpose has opened her eyes to how policy and business work hand-in-hand and be part of the solution in protecting the planet. ✔️ Jules Oringel is heavily involved in designing an ESG program in her school. She cites her writings on Ben & Jerry's sustainability strategy and Patagonia's “Don't Buy That Jacket Campaign” and the business classes she takes. ✔️Businesses can benefit financially from working towards ESG. Jules Oringel explains her preference for Patagonia coats and the responsibility of consumers to be more mindful of their purchases. ✔️ Companies should create products that are both sustainable and cost-effective. With the growing awareness of ethical consumption, companies are facing a new challenge: reducing prices by cutting production without risking employee welfare. ✔️ Jules Oringel points out the environmental implications of traveling and how organizations like TripDoodler are spreading the word on “sustainable traveling,” making it accessible, and creating employment and training for the youth. ✔️ The Kenan Scholars Program supports business students who aim to create social good in the private sector. ✔️ Only 100 companies have been responsible for 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions since 1988. The new generation of consumers vote with their dollars on brands that not only strive to reduce their environmental impact but also protect their employees. ✔️ Jobs that involve social and environmental impact require 5-10 years of experience. ✔️ The UN Sustainability Goals and how they can help companies align with this strategy. Jules Oringel is a full-time student at UNC Chapel Hill pursuing a major in Business Administration (double concentration in Sustainability/ESG and Marketing) with a minor in Public Policy. Her goal is to positively influence social justice efforts at the intersection of the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, hopefully in the Corporate Social Responsibility world. She enjoys exploring current opportunities for sustainability in business through inquisition, research, and ideation - taking these skills across the world in her work at TripDoodler, a startup based in Copenhagen, Denmark. She is also interested in nonprofit advocacy, as demonstrated by her leadership in gun violence prevention 501(c)3 Return Home Supplies. Her hobbies include international travel, fitness, watching college gymnastics, acoustic guitar, public speaking, and videography LinkedIn: Jules Oringel ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a podcast (or do you want to)? Join the only network dedicated to compliance, risk management, and business ethics, the Compliance Podcast Network. For more information, contact Tom Fox at tfox@tfoxlaw.com.

Ben Colton has a fiery passion for ESG sustainability. In this episode, he guides us through companies' responsibility in disclosing data, its financial benefits, and how his stewardship greatly influences businesses to eliminate hindrances in ESG reporting and allow diversity in thought among employees in all positions.  Watch ▶️ Embracing the Opportunity in ESG Stewardship with Ben Colton: https://youtu.be/r0-wSMGWabE. Key points discussed in the episode: ✔️ Ben Colton defines his role as the Global Head of Asset Stewardship Team at State Street Global Advisors (SSGA). Regulatory advocacy, thought leadership, company engagement, and accountability mechanisms - these are the most powerful tools he uses. ✔️ All companies should report according to the TCFD framework. Engage with companies to understand sector specificity and disclosure laggards. ✔️ Ben Colton believes transition investing opens doors for business expansion and opportunities. He also points out polarizing the discussion and shaming companies can be counterintuitive. “Don't ask them when they want to get there but how they want to get there.” ✔️ Ben Colton provides well-documented evidence on the positive impact of SSGA's Fearless Girl campaign. Gender is just one facet of diversity, as his company aims to instill diversity in thought - more underrepresented communities in leadership positions. ✔️ SSGA has published guidance in 2017 on how companies can enhance diversity-related practices. They aim to imprint these methods on business in the United States and other prepared nations.  ✔️ An SSGA article titled “The World Targets Change” says, “Climate strategies are driving economic transitions.” Ben Colton states the SSGA has outlined expectations based on the IIGCC, Climate Action 100+, and high-emitting companies. ✔️ With ESG, companies can be part of the solution. Bigger names shouldn't receive the brunt of the blame as businesses of all sizes should be accountable. ✔️ The proprietary ESG score, created by SSGA, intends to establish credibility in disclosure expectations, engagement priorities, and voting activity. ✔️ Diversity is closely correlated with human capital management and corporate culture. Progressive diversity and inclusion practices promote employee satisfaction. ✔️ Companies that tap into the opinions of employees are willing to listen to diverse perspectives, putting them on equal footing with stakeholders. Ben Colton is the Global Head of the Asset Stewardship Team at State Street Global Advisors (SSGA). His team is responsible for developing and implementing SSGA's global proxy voting policies and guidelines across all investment strategies, and managing SSGA's proxy voting activities and issuer engagement on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. His team aims to generate a positive impact on financially material ESG issues through voting, engagement, thought leadership, and advocacy. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-colton-20b73521/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a podcast (or do you want to)? Join the only network dedicated to compliance, risk management, and business ethics, the Compliance Podcast Network. For more information, contact Tom Fox at tfox@tfoxlaw.com.

Harvard Business Review published author and business researcher John Katsos prides himself in his international work in conflict zones, specifically Myanmar, Ukraine, Northern Ireland, Ethiopia, and Iraq. Witnessing the destructive effects of climate change and civil unrest, John Katsos has taken the lead in corporate responses such as ESG to make the world a better place.  ▶️ ESG Reporting in Conflict Zones with John Katsos: Key points discussed in the episode: ✔️ John Katsos describes his personal and professional background and his current projects. ✔️ John Katsos gives his insights on the issues driving migration like political turmoil and how it has escalated since civilization. He cites Syria as an example of drought acting hand-in-hand with armed conflict, compelling citizens to seek refuge in neighboring countries. ✔️Climate change is environmental destruction on a global scale. People continue to relocate to areas with employment and food, but such rapid changes take a toll on the environment. ✔️ Staying ethical in economic desperation is a real challenge for companies. Downward wage pressure happens when immigrants accept lower salaries for high-paying jobs. Some companies take advantage of the situation, even evading taxes to cut production costs and maximize profit. CEOs have to compete with such unethical practices. ✔️ John Katsos explains the role of a corporation when complying with ethical standards in conflict zones. Do no harm, and have a clear picture as to why you're operating there. ✔️ Ensure effective due diligence. If you can't adequately audit workers' conditions while doing business in conflict areas, always assume the worst. The best course of action is to withdraw and plan on shutting down your factories there. ✔️ Mass migration places people at risk of labor exploitation. John Katsos urges companies to thoroughly examine worker contracts and verify the content's authenticity. They must ensure no one is harmed as they operate in war-torn zones. ✔️ Reporting structures are in place - from international organizations and NGOs to academic institutions - to allow companies to achieve thorough environmental reporting. ✔️ The holy grail of John Katsos' work is gathering data about the direct impacts of conflict on business operations. It proves to be a challenge, as most information is collected from people's first-hand accounts and the number of casualties. ✔️ John Katsos emphasizes that fighting against corruption, bribery, and abuse in conflict zones is everyone's responsibility. John E. Katsos is an Associate Professor of Management. John researches business operations in conflict zones. He examines specifically how businesses can mitigate political risk and enhance peace in conflict and post-conflict zones. He is also one of the top global authors for business on the website Medium. John sits on the Boards of the UNGC UAE Local Network, the UNPRME Business for Peace Working Group, and DiverseCity, a social enterprise. John has his JD and MBA from George Washington University and his BA in Religion from Haverford College. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a podcast (or do you want to)? Join the only network dedicated to compliance, risk management, and business ethics, the Compliance Podcast Network. For more information, contact Tom Fox at tfox@tfoxlaw.com.

Consulting expert Laura Tulchin passionately advocates the implementation of ESG, working in the mantra of “minimizing risk today means optimizing opportunity.” In this episode, she dives deep into the growing significance of ESG in the pandemic, the social and monetary advantages, the cruciality of regulation, and how ESG is looking into the future.  ▶️ Optimizing ESG Opportunity in the Pandemic with Laura Tulchin Key points discussed in the episode: ✔️ Laura Tulchin summarizes her professional and educational background. ✔️ Laura Tulchin explains the increasing relevance of ESG in the past two years. Companies with perceived good ESG performance are financially outperforming their competitors. ✔️ESG gains steam in today's fractured social and capitalist system. Consumers are seeking purpose, even in the way they spend their money. Transparency in ESG is enough incentive for companies to step up. ✔️ The formation of the International Sustainability Standards Board in the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference was a step forward for ESG standardization. Laura Tulchin believes that we still have a long way to go. A hodge-podge of voluntary standards still remains in the ISSB, along with jurisdictional regulations in the EU. ✔️ Interpretation and analysis - or looking under the hood - are still challenging in ESG reporting. The necessary tools needed to achieve a higher level of transparency aren't readily available. Some businesses resort to presenting a positive but generalized report to gain mass favor. ✔️ ESG isn't a one-size-fits-all program. It's bound to be managed in different ways across industries. ✔️Compliance lays a strong foundation for a good ESG program. ✔️ ESG should be an accurate portrayal of an organization's social and environmental impact. ✔️ ESG isn't just about saving the elephants. It's also about saving your dollars. Running an ESG program brings long-term profit. Nowadays, consumers are more conscious of who they're buying from and whether products are ethically sourced and manufactured. ✔️ ESG would soon become a natural business practice. Laura Tulchin is an MBA with expertise in ESG risk, compliance, and governance. She has extensive experience with investment professionals, large multinationals, and financial institutions in managing risk and bringing the right frameworks, processes, and tools for risk management. She is hands-on with big-data and technology implementation experience to help clients determine strategic vulnerabilities and use data effectively to understand, measure and mitigate risk. Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-tulchin-b5577611/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a podcast (or do you want to)? Join the only network dedicated to compliance, risk management, and business ethics, the Compliance Podcast Network. For more information, contact Tom Fox at tfox@tfoxlaw.com.

Christian Perez-Font has one of the most unique law practices I've come across. We spoke at a conference around three years ago, and we've kept in touch since then. I've had him come on several podcasts to talk about his analytical and data-driven approach to legal issues in the world of ESG.  Watch ▶️ ESG Through a Legal Lens with Christian Perez-Font Key points discussed in the episode: ✔️ Christian Perez-Font gives us a background on his professional experience - a lawyer by trade who sees compliance as business support. He also defines the mantra of his company, Thinkeen Legal. ✔️ The right perspective going into data tracking and analyzing - seeing data as fuel for your business and a measure of progress. ✔️ The intersection of ESG and compliance in social responsibility and governance. ✔️ Manufacturing companies are cognizant of the environmental aspect of ESG. However, “E” goes beyond companies with plants subjected to carbon footprint regulation. ✔️ Data analytics is all about utilizing and presenting relevant data.  Don't be the Instagram of corporations. You don't have to publish every number for investors to avoid the threat of transparency. ✔️ Track political contributions. Talk about diversity.  ✔️ There are no a-ha moments in data tracking. Don't wait for the trends to pass. Start now, then it'll be easier to spot any spikes or changes so you can quickly make adjustments to your ESG program. ✔️ Data shouldn't be used to prove how good a company is. It should be to learn and know if you're on the right track. ✔️ The role of the auditor in data tracking. ✔️Data analytics and tracking play a major role in business acquisitions. Know as much as you can about the other. Understand the company's ESG program and have a clear grasp of its social responsibility and environmental footprint. ✔️ Trade sanctions and trade compliance have become a huge part of data analysis in ESG. ✔️Using data visualization to convince your board that the ability to present information is a valuable asset. ✔️Changing policies isn't a sign of weakness but of progress. Christian Perez-Font is the managing partner of Thinkeen Legal, a law firm that specializes in corporate and commercial law, domestic and cross-border transactions, and compliance with a focus on startups, small and mid-sized companies. His company has experience in many industries but we are particularly strong in healthcare. They also offer outside general counsel services to clients who are not yet ready to hire an in-house counsel or those in need of a secondment while they fill a position. They have significant external and in-house legal experience having worked for premier firms and multinational companies such as Arnold & Porter, Baker & McKenzie, Baxter International, Olympus Corporation, and OPKO Health, Inc. They have been clients so they understand that Legal is a business support function. His aim is to add value by delivering simple and pragmatic business advice with a legal content. Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianperezfont/  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a podcast (or do you want to)? Join the only network dedicated to compliance, risk management, and business ethics, the Compliance Podcast Network. For more information, contact Tom Fox at tfox@tfoxlaw.com.

Bryan Sillaman, Head of the Paris office of Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP, returns to the show to share the breadth and scope of some of the regulatory frameworks already in place, what the green taxonomy is all about and how it relates to an overall ESG program.   ▶️ Exploring ESGs from the European Perspective with Tom Fox & Bryan Sillaman. Key points discussed in the episode: Bryan Sillaman shares his current practice and interesting evolution from a white-collar defense lawyer to an ESG aficionado. ✔️ The key differences in the regulatory approach to ESG between the EU and US. ✔️ The robust and rigorous exercise at a scientific and technical level to define sustainable activity versus not generating different opinions & viewpoints. Bryan expects this lengthy process in the EU in 2021 to become a lot more in 2022. ✔️The EU has been ahead a bit on the front where the United States is in terms of the ESG regulatory approach. Sillaman shares that this is part of what's driven by the regulatory framework, but even more so, as companies face pressure from their investors, employees, unions, NGOs and various stakeholders. ✔️ Companies claim to be involved in sustainable activities but not really involved. And it comes back to the concern of greenwashing and establishing the taxonomy set out to define at a technical and scientific level what is sustainable and what is not. ✔️The sustainable financial disclosure regulation and its operation into an overall ESG framework. It requires asset managers as financial market participants to first disclose how much of their activities are aligned with the taxonomy. ✔️The Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive and how it fits in. ✔️With directives defined, Bryan shares where he sees EU reporting standards for ESG headed and envisioned as the technical criteria will evolve over time.  ✔️ ESG has become a really top-of-mind issue for many companies and institutions. Sillaman shares that this is part of what's driven by the regulatory framework, but even more so, as companies face pressure from their investors, employees, unions, NGOs and various stakeholders.  ✔️ Interesting trends for 2022 following the regulatory Bryan cites interesting cases and lawsuits brought by NGOs to pursue reductions in carbon emissions and other damages against companies.  ✔️ Several countries pass enhanced disclosure and due diligence requirements on the supply chain, and companies are operating in their jurisdiction focus on human rights issues.  Bryan J. Sillaman is Managing Partner of the firm's Paris office. During his time at Hughes Hubbard, Bryan has counseled clients across a range of governance and compliance issues, including the development of policies and procedures, due diligence relating to third-parties and joint venture partners, and internal reviews and audits of their global operations. Bryan has spent significant time advising clients in connection with independent corporate monitorships and has traveled extensively in connection with his activities, including to Angola, Brazil, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Middle East, Nigeria, Russia, Thailand and Venezuela.  Prior to joining Hughes Hubbard, Bryan was an attorney in the Division of Enforcement of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) where he earned a Division Director Award.  Connect: bryan.sillaman@hugheshubbard.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a podcast (or do you want to)? Join the only network dedicated to compliance, risk management, and business ethics, the Compliance Podcast Network. For more information, contact Tom Fox at tfox@tfoxlaw.com.

Thoughtful evaluation - that's what Trysha Daskam says about what sets apart Silver Regulatory Associates from other investment firms. With her strong foundation in compliance and regulatory expertise, Trysha unpacks the fundamentals, trends, and projections of ESG through the lens of private fund managers. ▶️ Unfolding ESG for Private Investments with Trysha Daskam. Key points discussed in the episode: (00:34) Trysha Daskam gives a rundown of her professional background as the managing director and head of ESG strategy in Silver Regulatory Associates. (01:16) The three distinct services that Silver Regulatory Associates provides and the type of clients they've been working with since 2018. (02:09) The unique ways Silver Regulatory Associates helps firms “shine” in the regulated space. Daskam explains how their firm evaluates managerial decisions through the lens of the investment strategy, putting themselves in their clients' shoes. (03:42): ESG programs must be treated with the same cautiousness and prudence as other policies. There should be an emphasis on training members to regulate and execute the program efficiently and properly. (05:37): Having an ESG program is more than just an idea. Daskam describes how she guides investment firms into putting their strategies to fruition with the correct procedures, monitoring practices, and tools. (07:28) Different industries are starting to realize the importance of ESG rolling out climate–centered projects and transparent DENI statistics. Financial services are pressured to come into the picture. Daskam predicts 2022 as a hallmark year for regulatory momentum among fund managers. (09:31) The three key areas of focus for private investment managers in 2022. (12:44) Greenwashing has become the core of regulatory movements. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission sees it as “a major risk in the current marketplace.” The urgent call for established standards to prevent misleading investors with deceptive language continues to intensify. (14:31) Daskam forecasts a standardization of ESG reporting in the DENI and the FCC in 2022 as two prominent organizations have utilized diversity, equity, and inclusion questionnaires. (15:54) Fierce competition in the investment space regarding managers putting extra effort in ESG programs and joining meaningful organizations to import outwardly on their climate impact. (18:08) Comparable data is difficult to find in ESG market participants. But standardization progress is projected for 2022 as the International Finance Reporting Standards Board developed the International Sustainability Standards Board. (22:38) A more sophisticated marketplace among investment firms is taking place as more players enter to take a slice of the pie. (25:13) The investment space going into the future. Trysha Daksam is a seasoned sustainability practitioner with an academic background unique to the industry and manages ESG strategy for investment firms, including the development and implementation of ESG policies, procedures, and internal reporting processes and conducting and overseeing ESG due diligence. Expert in policy writing and implementing regulatory controls, Trysha specializes in interpreting the impact of global regulation on a firm's ESG program. Connect: tdaskam@silverreg.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Do you have a podcast (or do you want to)? Join the only network dedicated to compliance, risk management, and business ethics, the Compliance Podcast Network. For more information, contact Tom Fox at tfox@tfoxlaw.com.