“There is value in being able to articulate the qualitative value of sustainability…And yes, obviously revenues can be attached to that, but obviously just the opportunity to open up new markets more broadly and innovate…There’s the risk and compliance component, which tend to be more easy to actually quantify. And then there’s the brand reputation…So you can make the case qualitatively in any of those three areas…There’s this movement from morality to materiality now that CFOs are involved…We actually take that all the way to the financial statements, to the balance sheet, to the profit and loss statement, and identify those specific line items where there could be savings or synergies or increases.”
Maura Hodge on Electric Ladies Podcast
Companies have to focus on long-term value and returns, and a recent report by KPMG found that 88% of them say sustainability creates both. They also see it as a competitive advantage. Why?
Listen to Maura Hodge, Chief Sustainability Officer of global management consulting and accounting firm KPMG in this enlightening conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson.
You’ll hear about:
- How companies see sustainability as a competitive advantage.
- How sustainability and ESG initiatives drive return on investment and long-term value.
- Why CFO’s are on board with ESG, as both a risk mitigation and revenue driver.
- What companies can do to make progress themselves.
- Plus, career advice, such as:
“My experience has been looking for those opportunities of new area growth, innovation. Of course, there’s risk. There’s going to be risk when you move into those areas…I actually pivoted and started working with venture capital backed life sciences companies…then I got to come back to sustainability after that. …I think keeping your eyes open, keeping your ears open, developing your network, and being willing to make those changes and taking those pivots in your career will pay off….(And) the way that you get ahead is actually sometimes by taking two steps back. And so, it’s more of a step up, plateau, then maybe take a step down and then start moving up again. And that’s how you kind of break into the next level.”
Maura Hodge on Electric Ladies Podcast
Read Joan’s Forbes article on Maura’s panel at the Workiva conference here, and her Joan’s other Forbes articles here.
You’ll also like:
- Business Leaders Bridging the Climate Gap – Joan’s panel at The Earth Day Women’s Summit 2025 with four top business leaders.
- Sustainable Business Is Good Business – Tensie Whelan, Founding Director, NYU Stern School of Sustainable Business.
- Leveraging AI for Sustainability – Mandi McReynolds, VP of External Affairs & Chief Sustainability Office at Workiva
- The Politics of Climate & Energy – with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, Co-Chair, Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus
- 6 Ways Sustainability Can Help Businesses Navigate Tough Times and Drive Growth – From Workiva, KPMG and NYU
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