Intro: Matthew Sekol joined ESG News during Climate Week NYC to discuss his latest book, ESG Mindset: Business Resilience and Sustainable Growth, a guide for business leaders, ESG specialists, and CSR strategists through the nuanced and most thoughtful ways to focus on sustainable growth. Interview was conducted by ESG News CEO Matt Bird.

BOOK REVIEW – ESG Mindset: Business Resilience and Sustainable Growth by Matthew Sekol explores how companies can integrate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into their operations to drive long-term value and resilience. The book offers a comprehensive guide for business leaders and ESG professionals, covering critical topics like ESG data standards, governance, and the role of technology in sustainable business practices.

Key highlights include:

1. Foundations of ESG: Sekol traces the origins of ESG, emphasizing its evolution as a tool for assessing corporate resilience and ethical commitment in uncertain times. He also explains why a consistent ESG framework is crucial for aligning business strategies with sustainable goals.
2. Data and Standards: The book delves into the complexities of ESG data, examining the role of rating agencies and the value of robust data standards to ensure credible reporting and stakeholder trust.
3. Corporate Impact and Leadership: Sekol emphasizes the importance of leadership in ESG, particularly how governance can make or break a company’s efforts. He discusses the significance of strong ESG governance to enhance stakeholder relationships and ensure sustainable growth.
4. Technology and ESG: Sekol identifies technology as a pivotal aspect of ESG, both as a tool to solve ESG challenges and as an area with its own set of risks and opportunities. He highlights the dual role of technology in supporting ESG initiatives and driving innovation.
5. Mainstreaming ESG: The book offers practical strategies for embedding ESG into business processes and fostering a mindset shift that can lead to industry-wide transformation.

Through case studies and real-world examples from companies that have successfully integrated ESG practices, ESG Mindset provides actionable insights on tackling complex ESG issues while maintaining business resilience​.

Brought to you by: Datamaran and CFA Institute.

Special consideration to our event partners: The Nest Climate Campus and Climate Week NYC.

Matt Bird

Matt Bird is the Founder, CEO, and Editor-in-Chief of ESG News. He brings 25 years of experience in corporate strategy, media, fintech, and communications, including 15 years specializing in news and journalism. Matt was recognized by the United Nations as #3 of the “Top 10 Most Influential Media Executives for Impact” in 2015 during the launch of the UN SDGs.
He has advised the Sustainable Stock Exchange initiative (SSEI), UNCTAD, and the UN, and hosts event coverage at the World Economic Forum, ADFW, Climate Week NYC, EU Parliament, COP, the Vatican, NASDAQ, NYSE, and more. Matt is a founding board member of the Humanity 2.0 Foundation, a Vatican-based NGO focused on identifying and removing impediments to human flourishing.
He previously rang the NASDAQ Closing Bell in honor of his partnership with NASDAQ OMX to launch the world’s first retail investor targeting and newswire monitoring platform with the NASDAQ Financial Services Group. Matt launched ESG News in 2021, leading coverage of more than 10,000 news stories as of 2026—and truly loves what he does.