The Pre-Read

Workiva
  • 4.8 (39)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. The CSO Role Is Evolving: A Strategic Partner to the CFO

    5H AGO

    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

    31 min
  2. Evolving the Go-to-Market: An Executive's Guide to AI's Impact

    NOV 3

    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

    15 min
  3. Why AI Needs Humans

    OCT 27

    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

    33 min
  4. Getting AI Right: Ensuring Success and Avoiding Brain Rot

    OCT 20

    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

    27 min
  5. Auditing AI: The New Imperative for Internal Audit

    OCT 13

    Auditing AI: The New Imperative for Internal Audit

    AI is transforming audit, risk, and corporate governance—but most companies are struggling to keep up. In this episode of The Pre-Read, Radical Compliance's Matt Kelly and Shane Negangard, Senior Director of Internal Audit at Workiva, join hosts Steve Soter and Alyssa Zucker to discuss: ✅ Why "shadow AI" is a real compliance threat ✅ How governance and internal controls must evolve ✅ The risks of AI in employee training and internal audit ✅ How auditors can move from reactive to proactive in an AI world Timestamps 00:00 – Intro: The real risk of "shadow AI" in audit and compliance 02:10 – Why AI is rewriting governance faster than policies can catch up 05:25 – The blurred line between automation and accountability 09:40 – What internal auditors are seeing on the ground 14:05 – How CFOs and CAOs can partner with marketing and data teams on AI 17:30 – Governance, controls, and the need for real-time oversight 21:15 – Why culture and education matter more than ever 25:10 – The future of AI governance and trust in reporting If you're in audit, risk, compliance, or finance, this episode is your playbook for governing AI responsibly—without slowing innovation.

    30 min
  6. How I Became a CFO

    OCT 6

    How I Became a CFO

    Jill Klindt, Workiva CFO, sits down with Ayssa and Steve live at Amplify 2025 in D.C. Hear how she navigated early startup life, tackled the challenges of being the public face of a company, and what advice she has for aspiring professionals.  00:00 Introduction 02:20 Early Career and Transition to Workiva 03:58 Building Workiva from the Ground Up 05:09 Becoming the CFO: Challenges and Insights 10:06 Reflections and Career Advice 14:43 Conclusion and Farewell

    18 min
  7. Your Guide to AI Governance in Corporate Reporting

    SEP 29

    Your Guide to AI Governance in Corporate Reporting

    AI is no longer just hype; it's a powerful tool in corporate reporting. But what does it take to truly trust the outputs it produces? On this episode of The Pre-Read, Workiva Chief Information Officer Kim Huffman talks with Deepa Rao, a leader in sustainability and AI governance. They break down the essential steps for executives to govern and validate AI, including the "AIRS" framework for accountability, integrity, reporting, and stewardship. You'll learn why data quality is paramount, why a hybrid approach of artificial intelligence plus human intelligence is the most successful model, and the critical skills teams need to develop to challenge the machine's outputs and build confidence in their data. Episode Highlights: * 0:00 Introduction  * 01:00 Is AI a copywriter or a core part of corporate reporting? * 03:50 The biggest gaps in data readiness and why you can't trust what you can't trace. * 08:30 Best practices for integrating AI: Start small and scale with confidence. * 10:15 The 'ARES' framework for responsible AI governance. * 14:30 The power of a human intelligence and artificial intelligence hybrid model. * 18:00 The critical skills teams need to develop beyond basic AI training.

    20 min
  8. Beyond Compliance: Building Businesses on Voluntary Sustainability Efforts

    SEP 22

    Beyond Compliance: Building Businesses on Voluntary Sustainability Efforts

    Sustainability isn't a silo anymore—it's shaping strategy across the balance sheet. In this episode of The Pre-Read, two CEOs share how they're modernizing corporate approaches to climate challenges. Natalia Dorfman, CEO of Kita, explains how carbon insurance de-risks voluntary markets and drives capital into climate projects. Then, Orianna Bretschger, CEO of Aquacycl, shows how innovations in industrial wastewater treatment can reduce costs, lower emissions, and strengthen resilience.  00:00 Introduction 01:45 Types of risks in carbon projects 03:20 Why carbon projects are resilient to short-term political shifts 05:00 How profitability and ROI drive climate technology 06:40 The future of the voluntary carbon market 08:30 How executives can reframe sustainability as a financial metric 10:00 Why water is a critical business resource 11:30 Rethinking wastewater as a business opportunity 13:00 The financial and reputational risks of poor water stewardship 15:45 Metrics that prove ROI in wastewater management 17:00 Advice for leaders on making their operations more resilient #CFO #Sustainability #ESG #CarbonMarkets #ClimateFinance #RiskManagement

    33 min
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Trailer

4.8
out of 5
39 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Workiva
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    155
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023
  • Show Website
    The Pre-Read

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