Mandi McReynolds is the Chief Sustainability Officer at Workiva, a reporting software company, and serves as Vice President of its global ESG division. Jill Klindt is the Chief Financial Officer at Workiva, responsible for the company's global financial management, corporate accounting, tax strategy, procurement, and enterprise risk management.

The start of 2025 brings a convergence of key events: the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, the first reporting period under the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), and the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting opening in Davos under the theme "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age." Together, these events shape a pivotal year for Chief Sustainability Officers (CSOs) and Chief Financial Officers (CFOs).

At events such as Climate Week NYC and COP29, Workiva engaged with hundreds of executives from its global base of over 6,000 customers, and a clear consensus emerged: amid risk and uncertainty, the dynamic duo of the CSO and CFO must unite to thrive in the new low-carbon economy.

As global sustainability pressures rise and artificial intelligence takes center stage, CSOs and CFOs are facing a dual mandate: driving sustainable growth while navigating the turbulence from over 70 global elections and the demands of digital transformation. Despite the political noise, Workiva's recent post-election survey shows that eight in ten executives remain committed to sustainability.

Meanwhile, our inboxes are flooded with articles, opinions, and endless debates about the ESG backlash. The truth is: the only way to resolve these tensions is to focus on business integration, exploring new markets, and putting innovation first.

Three Opportunities to Connect Sustainability and Finance

1. Sustainable Business Integration

If you still view sustainability as a box-ticking exercise, you are already behind and missing opportunities for business growth and mutual learning. CFOs need to see sustainability as a value driver, not a side project; CSOs should shift from compliance execution to proactive leadership. After all, our recent survey shows that 97% of executives believe integrating financial and ESG data helps uncover growth opportunities, and 88% of investors prefer companies that do so.

Here are some best practices we have compiled for integrating sustainability: establish joint governance and board reporting mechanisms; invest in team development; invite external experts to provide insights on topics such as ROI, double materiality, and CSRD; and build a robust data approach to support risk management and the supply chain.

But perhaps our most recommended practice is unexpected: travel together and learn together. Three years ago, Workiva became the first SaaS company to join the "CFO Coalition for the SDGs," a UN-supported initiative focused on aligning corporate financial strategy with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This kicked off our journey of attending events together. At global gatherings, we are often the only CSO/CFO pair in the room, or we are invited separately to our respective gatherings. It is those casual hotel conversations and shared rides that have helped us connect sustainability and finance, laying the groundwork for strategies that drive business and societal outcomes.

2. M&A and New Market Entry

In today's environment, M&A is unlikely to succeed without the CSO and CFO at the heart of decision-making. In KPMG's 2024 study of global M&A dealmakers, 71% of respondents said ESG considerations have increased in importance in deals over the past 12 to 18 months, and 82% said ESG issues are on their M&A agenda.

The CSO drives strategic alignment, ensuring acquisitions support long-term sustainability goals, and evaluates sustainable innovation opportunities to foster growth in new markets. The CFO leads financial due diligence, valuation, and post-merger integration, ensuring the financial success of the acquisition.

When Workiva acquired Sustain.Life last year, our CSO and CFO were both key members of the project team. We worked closely together to ensure we understood how Sustain.Life fit our sustainability goals and financial objectives—both equally important to us. Together, the CSO and CFO can unlock growth potential, strengthen competitive positioning, and navigate the complexities of M&A transactions to maximize value and align business goals for long-term success. Their collaboration is essential to making M&A a catalyst for innovation and sustainable growth.

3. Data, Insights, and AI-Driven Digital Investment

Following Climate Week NYC and COP29, the World Economic Forum's 2025 Annual Meeting will focus on "Collaboration for the Intelligent Age," exploring how the public and private sectors can use technology to address global challenges. A 2024 Workiva survey found that 83% of executives believe generative AI will help with regulatory compliance, and more than half of investors use AI to assess financial and ESG performance. To lead effectively, CSOs and CFOs must pause and ask their teams three key questions.

  • How do we integrate AI-driven insights to strengthen sustainability reporting and attract investor confidence in a complex political environment while maintaining a secure operating platform?
  • How do we navigate the intersection of U.S. nationalism and global cooperation to ensure our investments in digital technology and green innovation remain competitive internationally?
  • How do we design AI systems that enhance both efficiency and environmental sustainability? How do we leverage generative AI and digital transformation to address talent shortages, enhance talent acquisition, and build cross-border partnerships through digital translation capabilities, ensuring we have the right capabilities to execute our sustainability and growth goals despite global talent constraints?

The Coming Year Is a Defining Moment

The stakes in 2025 are higher than ever. In the year ahead, CSOs and CFOs must take a bold dual path: sustaining growth amid regulatory and digital change while placing sustainability at the strategic core. Companies that combine financial discipline with digital sustainability leadership will stand out in the new low-carbon economy. In this increasingly complex world, leading together is the right time.