CSO Impact Podcast

In this episode of the CSO Impact Podcast, host Harald Neidhardt speaks with Sarah Chapman, the Global Chief Sustainability Officer of Manulife. They discuss Manulife's sustainability mission, the importance of a long-term perspective in insurance, and the evolving role of the CSO in today's corporate landscape. Sarah shares her journey to becoming a CSO, the challenges and opportunities in integrating sustainability into business strategy, and the impact of climate change on the insurance industry. The conversation highlights the need for adaptability, curiosity, and effective communication in driving sustainability initiatives.

In this episode of the CSO Impact Podcast, host Harald Neidhardt speaks with Ellen Jackowski, Chief Sustainability Officer at Mastercard. They discuss Mastercard's role as a technology company in the financial sector, the integration of sustainability into business practices, and innovative initiatives aimed at inspiring and enabling sustainable choices among consumers. Ellen shares insights on circular economy initiatives, the importance of stakeholder engagement, and the future of credit cards in a digital-first world. The conversation also touches on Mastercard's net-zero goals and the evolving role of the Chief Sustainability Officer in navigating regulatory landscapes and driving corporate sustainability efforts.

In this episode of the CSO Impact Podcast, host Harald Neidhardt speaks with Lena Hök, Executive Vice President of Sustainability and Innovation at Skanska Group. They discuss the significant role of the construction industry in carbon emissions, the innovative approaches Skanska is taking to drive sustainability, and the importance of collaboration and leadership in achieving sustainability goals. Lena shares her journey in sustainability, the challenges faced by the industry, and the future opportunities for innovation and impact.

In this episode of the CSO Impact Podcast, Saskia Günther, Head of Sustainability at Swisscom, talks to host Harald Neidhardt about the company's commitment to sustainability, innovative solutions for climate impact, and the importance of collaboration in achieving sustainability goals. Saskia shares insights on the role of technology in reducing CO2 emissions, the significance of circular economy initiatives, and the evolving role of Chief Sustainability Officers in organisations. She emphasises the need for passion, communication, and interdisciplinary understanding in sustainability leadership, while also reflecting on her personal journey in the field.

In this episode of the CSO Impact Podcast, Ingmar Rentzhog, co-founder of We Don't Have Time, discusses his journey in sustainability and the evolution of his media platform aimed at addressing climate change. He shares insights on the importance of communication in the climate crisis, the role of events in fostering dialogue, and the recent campaign 'Make Science Great Again' aimed at defending scientific integrity against misinformation. Rentzhog emphasises the need for collaboration and support for leaders in sustainability, as well as the importance of engaging with industries to facilitate a green transition.

In this episode of the CSO Impact Podcast, Carine De Boissezon, Chief Impact Officer at EDF, talks to Harald Neidhardt about the intersection of sustainability, culture, and energy transition. She emphasises the importance of integrating sustainability into all aspects of business, the role of art and culture in engaging the public, and the challenges and opportunities in the energy sector, particularly in relation to decarbonisation and the diverse energy portfolio of EDF. Carine also shares her journey from finance to sustainability and her vision for the future of the Chief Sustainability Officer role.

In this episode of the CSO Impact Podcast, Anna Celsing Klingberg, Chief Sustainability Officer of Alfa Laval, discusses the company's role in the energy transition and sustainability. She describes the innovative technologies provided by Alfa Laval, a 140-year-old Swedish company specialised in heat transfer, separation, and fluid handling. She highlights how these technologies are crucial for reducing CO2 emissions and achieving net-zero goals. Anna shares her career journey, the challenges faced in the sustainability sector, and the evolving role of the CSO in integrating sustainability into business strategies.

In this episode of the CSO Impact Podcast, host Harald Neidhardt speaks with Gail Whiteman, Professor of Sustainability at the University of Exeter and founder of Arctic Basecamp. They discuss the critical role of Arctic science in understanding global risks, the connection between Arctic change and extreme weather events, and the importance of storytelling in climate advocacy. Whiteman emphasises the evolving role of Chief Sustainability Officers in corporate environments and the need to empower the next generation of climate advocates. The conversation concludes with a call for support to ensure the continued presence of science at global summits like the World Economic Forum in Davos.

This special episode of the CSO Impact Podcast was recorded during the Futur/io CSO Reception in Paris, part of the ChangeNOW Summit in April 2025. In this panel, Carine de Boissezon, Chief Impact Officer at EDF, and Ulrike Sapiro, Chief Sustainability Officer at Henkel, discuss the Role of the CSO in Shifting Times. The conversation is moderated by Harald Neidhardt, CEO and Curator of Futur/io. Carine and Ulrike talk about integrating sustainability with finance, addressing challenges in the energy transition, and the social implications of sustainability efforts. They emphasise the need for systemic approaches to sustainability, the importance of data in decision-making, and that it is crucial that CSOs have a strategic view of their role.

In this episode of the CSO Impact Podcast, Tobias Raffel, co-founder of Biodiversity Bridge and one of the initiators of the European Biodiversity Coalition, talks to host Harald Neidhardt about the critical importance of biodiversity in the context of sustainability and corporate responsibility. He emphasises the need for collaboration between businesses and biodiversity experts to address the challenges and opportunities presented by biodiversity loss. The conversation explores various corporate initiatives, the role of financial institutions, and the importance of viewing biodiversity as a strategic business opportunity rather than just a risk. Tobias shares insights from his journey and the diverse perspectives of companies engaged in biodiversity efforts.