WHEN AND WHERE
DATE: Wednesday, November 13
SCHEDULE:
– 5:30 – 6:15 pm Check in/registration and networking
– 6:15 – 7:30 pm Panel discussion
– 7:30 – 8:15 pm Networking and program close
HOST: Grant Thornton
LOCATION: 757 3rd Ave 9th floor, New York, NY 10017
FEE: $10.00
ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
Materiality is at the core of how corporate sustainability leaders, regardless of industry, may shape their aims and ensure a full stakeholder engagement perspective to strategic plans. While new views and materiality terms have been recently introduced, the exercise to assess materiality continues to be conducted manually, back of an envelope at worst and excel spreadsheet at best. In this session, understand today’s view on materiality (double materiality or other new terms) as it shapes sustainability/ESG strategies. Gain an understanding of materiality terms, as defined by the US Supreme Court and globally, whether you are subject to jurisdictional disclosure requirements such as CSRD or use SASB, ISSB, or GRI as a voluntary disclosure framework. Panelists will provide varying perspectives, from an investor, an ESG ratings agency, an accountant, and a “how-to” from a public company. Gain a better handle on definitions, opportunities, challenges and the importance of conducting a materiality assessment before you create your corporate sustainability/ESG strategy, aims and KPIs.
PANELISTS
Paula Luff
Director of Sustainability Research and Engagement
DSC Meridian Capital
Paula is the Director of Sustainability Research and Engagement at DSC Meridian Capital, where she is responsible for integrating sustainability within the investment process and leading DSC Meridian’s engagement with portfolio companies on sustainability matters.
Prior to joining DSC, she served as Director of Sustainability and Impact for Inherent Group, an ESG-focused investment manager.
Prior to joining Inherent Group, Paula was Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility for Hess Corporation where she established and led the global social responsibility function for the company and integrated key ESG issues into operations and enterprise risk. She also led engagement efforts on a range of sustainability issues with host governments, NGOs, investors, and other external stakeholders.
Prior to joining Hess, Paula was Senior Director of Strategic Health Partnerships for Pfizer Inc, where she set global access to medicines strategy and led the design and implementation of global health programs and policies for the company and its foundation. She also represented Pfizer on social impact and global health issues with investors, the media, public officials, bilateral and multi-lateral organizations, NGOs, and other external stakeholders.
Paula holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and master’s degrees from New York University and The New School.
Paula is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. She is co-chair of the Audit Committee of the Access to Nutrition Foundation. Paula is also a member of the University of Wisconsin International Division’s Advisory Board and is an Advisor to the Center for Sustainable Business at NYU’s Stern School of Business. Paula was a member of the Aspen Institute’s Business and Society Leaders Forum, served on the Executive Pay Principles Working Group, and is an active participant in Aspen’s ESG and private capital work. She also served on the Executive Council for Development and as a Senior Associate with the Project on Prosperity and Development at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She served on the board of Malk Partners until its recent acquisition by SLR.
Gregg Meyer
Chief Sustainability Officer
Steven Madden, Ltd.
Gregg Meyer is the Chief Sustainability Officer at Steven Madden, Ltd. and President of the Steve Madden Corporate Foundation.
In his role Gregg oversees global sustainability, corporate responsibility, social mission, community engagement, charitable giving and all ESG initiatives for Steve Madden and its portfolio of brands including Betsey Johnson, Ann Klein, Blondo, Dolce Vita, Greats, and BB Dakota by Steve Madden.
Prior to his current role, Gregg served as Deputy General Counsel and Vice President for Corporate Social Responsibility where in addition to working on ESG matters he managed various legal issues for the company including international litigation, compliance, product safety and government relations.
Before joining Steve Madden, Gregg commuted between New York City and Burlington, Vermont where he worked in private legal practice as well as for several NGOs and local and state governments focusing on litigation, environmental law, philanthropy, public policy and legislative advocacy.
Gregg earned his Juris Doctor degree from Vermont Law and Graduate School and his Bachelor of Science from Cornell University.
Stanley Goldstein, one of the founders of the Sustainability Investment Leadership Council, launched the accounting firm Goldstein Golub & Kessler (now part of RSM). After the firm was bought, Stanley became a private equity investor and is now the Chairman of Knickerbocker Financial Group. Mr. Goldstein has served on numerous corporate boards and is the founder of American Friends of James Joyce, The New York Hedge Alternative Investment Roundtable and Donors' Forum (a philanthropic roundtable).
Rebecca Craft
Andrea Schmitz
Nidhi Chadda
Jeffrey Yin currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer and General Counsel of Artsy (
Sarah Tomolonius is the Vice President of Investor Relations at M13, a consumer tech-focused full-service venture capital engine. Ms. Tomolonius is the co-founder of the Sustainability Investment Leadership Council. Ms. Tomolonius served as Vice President, Marketing and Investor Relations for Arlon Group, a food and agriculture investment firm, from December 2012 to June 2018, and served as Senior Professional, Management Reporting & Analytics from December 2010 to December 2012. From October 2008 to December 2010, Ms. Tomolonius served as Associate, Investor Relations for Citi Private Equity, a private equity group that was acquired by StepStone Group in October 2010. From October 2005 to September 2007, Ms. Tomolonius served as Research Analyst, Corporate & Public Affairs Group of Edelman, a global public relations firm. Ms. Tomolonius served as Program Assistant, Water & Coastal Program of Natural Resources Defense Council, a non-profit international environmental advocacy group, from October 2002 to September 2005. Ms. Tomolonius has served as a Director on the Board of Quest Resource Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: QRHC) since 2016 and is a member of the Audit and Nominations & Governance Committees. Ms. Tomolonius also served in numerous board capacities for non-profit organizations, including Chair of the Sustainability Committee for the New York Alternative Investment Roundtable and President of the Board of HeARTs Speak, a nonprofit organization, from February 2014 to February 2017, and she remains a board member for the organization.
Mohita Sinha serves as the Co-Chair of SILC’s Education Committee. With extensive experience leading complex finance and risk regulatory reporting transformations at global financial institutions, Mohita helps organizations evolve from voluntary action to regulatory compliance to true value creation. Her current focus is on climate risk integration, guiding companies to understand, operationalize, and embed risk considerations into business strategy while meeting compliance requirements.
Jessica Moon, Education Co-Chair, is a strategic leader at the Sustainable Investment Leadership Council (SILC), where she champions the integration of sustainability into core business and investment strategies. She designs and leads convenings that unite leading cross-sector professionals in critical dialogues focused on unlocking sustainable financial returns through innovative solutions. With over two decades of experience, Jessica brings a unique perspective, combining her legal acumen with deep sustainability expertise and a holistic understanding of the interconnectedness of business functions. Her leadership at Scholastic Inc., where she pioneered their ESG & Sustainability function, demonstrates her ability to develop and implement strategies that drive both environmental and financial value. Jessica empowers leaders to see sustainability as a key driver of strategic advantage and long-term financial success, fostering a future where impact and returns are intrinsically linked.
Dr. Michael Kraten is an executive management consultant and business educator. He maintains specialties in entrepreneurship, business modeling, decision analysis, sustainability and resilience, educational gaming, strategic planning, valuation, risk management, and forensic analysis.
Sophia Shahabadi
As a Managing Director at Silver Leaf Partners and sustainable finance subject matter expert, Marc Tannous established the Sustainable Finance Practice as a service organization to represent managers and companies seeking alpha by scaling sustainability / impact solutions. The Practice provides capital introduction, customer referral, and advisory consulting. 
Sydney Improta
As a coach, facilitator and consultant, Deborah Goldstein works with NY, U.S. and international organizations and individuals who are motivated to thrive in the 21stcentury workplace environment.
Jason Dodier is an American international business professional at Schneider Electric, which is the global specialist in energy management. Since commencing his career with Schneider Electric, Jason has lived in the United States, Middle East and Europe, while performing a variety of functions on behalf of the company in operations, business development, marketing and sales management. Jason is currently a Corporate Ambassador for electrical distribution, communications technology, sustainability, and innovation, activity on social media and delivering speeches on these topics worldwide.
Fitzgerald Angrand is a transactional attorney specializing in debt finance and alternative investments in the cannabis industry, representing investors, private equity funds, private debt funds, family offices, distressed debt funds, lenders and operating companies.
Matthew Levy is a Manager with PKF O’Connor Davies in the Not-for-Profit Services Group. He is a CPA and has been with PKFOD since 2012. He graduated from Lehigh University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. He currently serves as the treasurer of the Sustainability Investment Leadership Council.
Heather Loebner leads Sustainability and ESG strategy at CircleIT, a B Corporation in the IT Asset Disposition (ITAD) industry. Sustainability plays a critical role at CircleIT, focused on repurposing IT devices at end-of-life and eliminating e-waste aligned with a circular economy model. Loebner leads an internal and client-facing ESG strategy that increases transparency, establishes a path to carbon neutrality and net zero, and builds social and environmental impact through strong governance aligned with B Corporate values and certification.
J. Michael Kirkland, CPA, CGMA is a veteran financial executive with over 30 years of experience in accounting, industry, consulting, and business development. He also serves the CPA profession with distinction, lending strong and visible leadership to professional and student groups.