Amid the headlines and pendulum swings of U.S. regulatory priorities, some might say ESG is dead. It isn’t. Sustainability remains a central lens for how investors evaluate risk, strategy, and long-term value creation. Trillions in assets under management are still tied to sustainability mandates, and the buy side continues to scrutinize governance and business model resiliency to quantify risk and inform valuation decisions.
Whether it’s labeled ESG or rebranded as sustainability, investor relations professionals are still expected to provide clear, consistent, and credible disclosures — often without significant changes to the company’s underlying programs or strategy. For IR teams, sustainability disclosure is not optional; it is a permanent part of a comprehensive and credible investor relations program.
This seminar will provide an update on the current landscape of sustainability disclosure and provide IR professionals with practical tools to prepare for regulatory changes, mitigate risk, and strengthen shareholder engagement.
Who Should Attend
The NIRI Sustainability Summit is designed to meet the educational needs of investor relations professionals who are involved in or responsible for any part of the sustainability disclosure process and engaging with investors on sustainability-related considerations.
Agenda Highlights*
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 12:00 – 12:15pm | Opening Session: Framing the Future of Sustainability Disclosure To set the stage for the Sustainability Summit, this opening session will explore how the language, expectations, and purpose of sustainability disclosure are rapidly evolving, and why this moment demands focused attention. The discussion will also introduce the newly revised NIRI Sustainability Disclosure Policy Statement, highlighting its key updates and the role it plays in guiding IR professionals through this transition. Speakers: Matthew D. Brusch, President & CEO, NIRI: The Association for Investor Relations Aaron Rudd, Vice President, Broadridge |
| 12:15 – 1:15pm | Sustainability Disclosure in Transition: Best Practices for Compliance Hear from compliance experts how rapidly evolving sustainability disclosure standards are reshaping expectations for investor-facing communications. The session will take a deep dive into the latest developments across major frameworks, including the SEC’s proposed climate-related rules, emerging ISSB standards, the EU’s CSRD requirements, and new U.S. state-level mandates, and explain how these changes may affect public companies. Speakers will share best practices for preparing to integrate reliable sustainability metrics into IR materials and regulatory filings and being proactive as disclosure obligations continue to evolve. Speakers: Aaron Rudd, Vice President, Broadridge (moderator) Neil Stewart, Director of Corporate Outreach, IFRS Foundation Betty Huber, Partner, Latham & Watkins LLP Kristen Sullivan, Partner, Deloitte |
| 1:30 – 2:30pm | From ESG to Strategic Sustainability: Communicating Opportunity, Resilience, and Value Creation This session will explore how public companies can move beyond compliance-driven ESG reporting and develop clear, strategic sustainability messaging that resonates not only with investors but also with customers, supply-chain partners, and other key stakeholders. Rather than treating sustainability as a reporting exercise, companies are increasingly positioning it as a driver of value creation and long-term resilience. Sustainability initiatives may generate opportunity through operational efficiency, innovation, and regulatory readiness, and this opportunity can translate into competitive advantages that matter across the stakeholder landscape. This discussion will help IROs navigate the risks and opportunities of strategic sustainability disclosure to strengthen market positioning and meet the expectations of customers and other key stakeholders in addition to investors. Speakers: Mike Wallace, Strategic Advisor, Persefoni (moderator) Raven Adams, Director of Sustainability, Granite Construction Suzanne Fallender, VP, Global Impact & Sustainability, Prologis |
| 2:45 – 3:45pm | Inside the Investor Lens: What the Buy Side Really Values Learn how portfolio managers evaluate sustainability disclosures and determine which factors genuinely influence valuation. Speakers will unpack the material factors that shape investment decisions, illustrating how sustainability data is weighed, modeled, and compared across companies. Participants will receive practical guidance on improving investor conversations on sustainability and ultimately investor confidence. Speakers: Malin Clark, Partner, Third Economy (moderator) Robert Dornau, Senior Director, Head of Corporate Engagement, S&P Sustainable1 Yusuf George, Head of Equities Portfolio Specialists, TCW |
| 3:45pm | Closing Remarks |
*Agenda details will be updated regularly. Please check back for the most up-to-date schedule of events.
Thank you to our sponsor:
IRC credential holders can earn up to 2 professional development units (PDUs). IRC-credentialed volunteers and speakers may also earn PDUs.