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Novisto 2024 ESG Forum

Walking the talk

Thursday Oct 3rd, 2024
Maison Alcan, 1188 Sherbrooke St W

Building a community of doers

The whirlwinds of change are inexorably and rapidly evolving companies’ understanding of sustainability reporting not as an end in itself, but as an accountability mechanism for managing their material impacts, dependencies, risks, and opportunities. In other words, they have to walk the talk. Only by doing so can they create value, both for themselves and for society.

Deepen relationships with global ESG leaders

Hear from industry analysts, regulators, thought leaders, and sustainability pioneers. Build relationships with your peers—fellow ESG practitioners and executive stakeholders.

To foster connection and meaningful dialogue, the conference is intentionally limited to 200 guests and will follow Chatham House rules.

Agenda

Event Schedule

This invite-only event will be delivered via Chatham house rules meaning that you will have exclusive access to the candid thoughts of ESG practitioners and global regulators.

October 2nd

5:30 - 9:00 PM
Opening Cocktail Reception

October 3rd

9:00 - 10:00 AM
Keynote: Opening Remarks and ESG Market Insights

To kick off the 2024 Forum, David Metcalfe, CEO of Verdantix, will deliver a comprehensive, research-based keynote on the current state of the ESG market. Verdantix is a research and advisory firm that provides in-depth analysis, market insights, and strategic guidance on ESG and sustainability topics, helping organizations navigate the complex landscape of ESG reporting, technology, and services. The keynote will be followed by an interactive Q+A.

Charles
Charles Assaf
CEO
Novisto
David Metcalfe
David Metcalfe
CEO
Verdantix
10:00 - 10:45 AM
Keynote: Sanofi’s pioneering journey towards the CSRD

Ranked 7th in sustainability globally by TIME Magazine, Sanofi’s pioneering path towards CSRD compliance will be the focal point of this fireside chat. Laurent will offer valuable do’s and don’ts from Sanofi’s experience, covering challenges like data collection, quality assurance, double materiality assessments, and drafting narratives. Attendees will gain practical insights into tackling CSRD demands, including strategies for collaborating with cross-functional teams, ecosystem engagement, and leveraging digital solutions for streamlined reporting.

This session will provide actionable takeaways for companies at various stages of CSRD compliance, drawing from Sanofi’s efforts in building a CSRD program from scratch.

David
David Hageraats
Senior ESG Innovation Analyst
Novisto
Moderator
Laurent Lhopitallier
Laurent Lhopitallier
Head of ESG
Sanofi
10:45 - 11:00 AM
Musical performance and meditation break
11:00 - 11:50 AM
Keynote: Novisto product vision

Our Chief Product Officer will explore how the Novisto ESG data management and reporting platform is evolving to meet the demands of the rapidly changing sustainability disclosure landscape. Centered on an overview of Novisto’s short- and long-term product vision, Marc will detail the strategic enhancements and innovations planned for the platform. The keynote session will be followed by an interactive Q+A.

Marc Sell
Marc Sell
Chief Product Officer
Novisto
12:00 - 1:30 PM
Networking lunch
1:30 - 2:15 PM
Breakout rooms
#1
Fireside chat: Reframing sustainability from reporting to performance

Companies are being overwhelmed by new reporting requirements that are shifting sustainability to a complex compliance activity. However, it would be a mistake to dive into compliance without really understanding the implications of reporting—especially where performance is not being managed. The solution lies in rethinking sustainability in terms of performance and innovation.

Dr. Mario Abela
Reporting and Governance Expert
Bain Advisory Network
Marie-Josee Privyk
Marie-Josée Privyk
Founder and ESG Advisor
FinComm Services
Moderator
#2
Interactive panel: Value creation in ESG

Nawar Alsaadi, a top corporate sustainability voice on LinkedIn and founder of Kanata Advisors, will be accompanied by a panel of ESG leaders to discuss the vectors of value creation in ESG. Attendees will leave with practical insights and experiences from their peers in addition to a framework on how to develop a strong narrative around creating value through ESG—whether it be through revenue generation, driving efficiencies or risk mitigation.

Nawar Alsaasi
Nawar Alsaadi, FSA, SIPC
Founder
Kanata Advisors
Moderator
Pyarali Jamal, FRSA
Pyarali Jamal, FRSA
Senior Transformation, ESG & Sustainable Finance Specialist
ICAEW
Constance Drilhon
Constance Drilhon
ESG Strategy Director
CAE
Pyarali Jamal, FRSA
Jennifer Dudgeon
Sustainability Director
Aspen Technology Inc
2:25 - 3:10 PM
Breakout rooms
#1
Interactive panel: Best practices for ESG committees and collaboration

Join seasoned ESG professionals in this interactive panel session as they share insights on forming effective internal ESG committees and fostering interdepartmental collaboration. Panelists will discuss strategies for assembling impactful committees, overcoming challenges in cross-functional initiatives, and aligning ESG goals with business objectives.

Engage in a dynamic Q&A session and share experiences and challenges with peers. Gain practical takeaways to enhance your organization’s sustainability efforts through improved internal governance and relationships, whether you’re new to ESG committees or optimizing existing teams.

Zoë Frances
Head of Product Marketing
Novisto
Moderator
Leslie Dunham
Leslie Dunham
Head of Sustainability
LPL Financial
Diane Crowe
Diane Crowe
Group Sustainability Director
Reconomy
David Ung
David Ung
Director, Sustainable Investing
Manulife Investment Management
#2
Fireside chat: Preparing for external assurance

The paradigm shift in corporate sustainability reporting towards regulated disclosures is also driving the external assurance of those disclosures to make them as reliable as possible. Producing audit-ready disclosures is neither a simple nor a quick task. Even as they grapple with collecting their data and complying with comprehensive reporting standards, sustainability practitioners need to simultaneously set the wheels in motion to be ready for external assurance when the time comes.

Marie David, MSc, CPA
Audit Partner and ESG Audit Lead
KPMG
Marie-Josée Privyk
Founder and ESG Advisor
FinComm Services
Moderator
3:10 - 3:30 PM
Break
3:30 - 4:30 PM
Recap panel: Insights to walk the talk

Esteemed ESG practitioners share their practical takeaways from the day’s events to help you continue “walking the talk” in your own organizations. Leave with valuable perspectives and strategies to advance your organization’s ESG efforts and turn insights into action.

David Metcalfe
David Metcalfe
Chief executive officer
Verdantix
Asheen Phansey
Asheen Phansey
Director of ESG & Sustainability
PagerDuty
Denis Sangulin
Senior Director of Internal Audit & Global Head of Sustainability
Balchem
Roddell McCullough
Roddell McCullough
Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer
First Financial Bank
Milla Craig
Milla Craig
Founder, CEO, president
Millani Inc.
4:30 - 6:00 PM
Closing cocktail

Featured speakers

Experience the charm of Montréal

Forge new connections in vibrant Montréal, recognized as one of the top 15 global cities in the 2023 Corporate Knights Sustainable Cities Index. From the cobblestone streets of the Old Port to the iconic Golden Square Mile, make your conference visit an opportunity for a memorable getaway.

Montreal Layout 1