This program was held on January 14, 2026
Description
Join two former Chief Executive Officers of global professional service organizations for an engaging discussion about the sustainability and integrated reporting field in our first course of SILC’s Masterclass, The History Behind Broader Multi-Stakeholder Business Reporting, Its Evolution And What Tomorrow Might Bring: Financial Market Considerations & the Future of the Sustainability Sector. The speakers will address the history of the sustainability sector, the purpose of sustainability and integrated thinking and reporting, and the factors that will impact the future of the financial markets in this area.
Program Video
Objectives
- To identify the impact of regulatory and legal changes on corporate sustainability practices
- To recognize the elements of integrated reporting and their impacts on financial markets
- To evaluate the role played by professional associations in furthering sustainability
Topics
- U.S. and European efforts to regulate corporate sustainability practices
- The role played by nonprofit organizations in defining standards and metrics
- The cost-effectiveness of market forces in positively impacting sustainability goals
CPE Information
Advanced Preparation – None
Who Should Attend – All professionals with responsibilities regarding regulatory and legal sustainability issues.
Field of Study – Accounting
Prerequisites – None
NYS CPE Credit Hours – 1.5*
Level – Basic
Registration for this session is now closed.
Presenters
Barry Melancon
CPA, CGMA, Former CEO, AICPA
LinkedIn
Barry C. Melancon was the CEO of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, the most influential body of professional accountants in the world with 650,000 members and students for 30 years. Formed in 2017, it combines the strengths of The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) and the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), which Melancon also leads as President & CEO.
Today he is Global Chairman of Baker Tilly International, one of the major global networks of Accounting Firms with locations in more than 100 countries. He also serves as a strategic advisor to several companies that serve the accounting profession and individual firms. He is on several USA focused Non Profit Boards including NBER and the Jack Miller Center. He also serves on boards outside the USA. He’s a frequent speaker and commentator on the profession globally.
Melancon joined the AICPA in 1995 when he was 37 years old, and holds the recognition as has the longest serving CEO in the organization’s history. Under his tenure, the AICPA has grown to become the largest membership body of CPAs in the world and has spearheaded a number of initiatives to benefit not only the profession, but also investors, business owners, lenders and the general public. These include audit quality centers; private company reporting standards; eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL); the computerized CPA exam; and two consumer financial literacy education programs and was the founder of CPA.com which is owned by AICPA.
Under Melancon’s leadership in 2011, the AICPA formed a joint venture with CIMA to elevate management accounting globally. They created the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation for those professionals who meet the highest benchmark of rigor and quality.
Building on this success, AICPA and CIMA members in June 2016 voted to evolve the joint venture into the Association. Its mission is to drive a dynamic accounting profession around the world that powers trust, opportunity and prosperity. Melancon was named the Association’s first CEO.
He was named to the Accounting Hall of Fame in August 2025 and has received numerous awards and recognition globally.
Charles Tilley
Former CEO of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC)
LinkedIn
Charles Tilley is the former CEO of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC). Prior to that role at the IIRC, Mr. Tilley served as Chair of its technical task force and Senior Advisor to the IIRC Board Chair. Mr. Tilley also served as Chair of the IFAC Professional Accountants in Business (PAIB) Committee 2014-2019.
Following his retirement as the Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA) in 2016, Mr. Tilley is now the Executive Chairman of the CGMA Research Foundation. As Chief Executive of CIMA since 2001, he significantly raised CIMA’s profile and brand, including developing and implementing a stakeholder-centric strategy resulting in impressive levels of member and student growth.
A prominent advocate for global reform of corporate reporting, and a commentator on a wide range of business issues, at CIMA Mr. Tilley has led advocacy to effect change on finance, governance, and accountancy issues with government, regulators, standard setters, and the World Bank, among other organizations. He continues to direct CIMA’s thought leadership activity, focused on governance, the development of effective external and internal reporting, performance management, and developments in the finance function. Under his leadership, CIMA formed a joint venture with the American Institute of CPAs to establish the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation.
He also sits on the UK Financial Reporting Council’s Lab Steering Group and is a council member of the Prince of Wales’ Accounting for Sustainability. Currently, he is Deputy Chairman of Great Ormond Street Hospital. Previously, between 2008 and 2015, he held various non-executive positions at the Ipswich Building Society.
Prior to joining CIMA, Mr. Tilley spent fourteen years at KPMG, becoming a partner in 1986. Subsequently, he held senior positions as Group Finance Director of Investment Banks at Hambros plc and Granville Baird.
Mr. Tilley was awarded an OBE for his services to the economy in the New Year’s Honours, 2016.
Credits
Charles Tilley OBE, FCMA, CGMA, Former CEO, International Integrated Reporting Council See LinkedIn Profile
Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, Former CEO, AICPA See LinkedIn Profile
PKF O’Connor Davies, CPE Sponsor See web site at https://www.pkfod.com/
For information about ESG services, contact Marc Rinaldi at https://www.pkfod.com/people/marc-rinaldi/
*CPE credits are sponsored by PKF O’Connor Davies, which is registered in New York State. CPE credits for the SILC Masterclass courses are only available to New York State licensed CPAs. PKF O’Connor Davies is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State Boards of Accountancy have the final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE Credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org. For information regarding complaint and/or program cancellation policies, please contact l&dsupport@pkfod.com.
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.