Month: April 2025

Our team had the privilege of receiving the Minister of Investment, the team of the Regional Investment Center of the Souss-Massa region, and the local authorities recently at our packaging plant in Agadir.

We were delighted to share our ambitious vision and showcase our recent investments and future projects. This visit represents an important milestone that reflects our confidence in the promising potential of the Souss-Massa region.

It also confirms our commitment to contribute to the development of the local economy and strengthen our position in the packaging sector, within a sustainable, inclusive and innovative industrial system.

We are proud to be part of this trend and look forward to building fruitful partnerships with the Regional Investment Center to drive the regional economy towards greater prosperity.

International Paper (NYSE: IP; LSE: IPC) is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. With company headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) headquarters in London, UK, we employ more than 65,000 team members and serve customers around the world with operations in more than 30 countries. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time. Net sales for 2024 were $18.6 billion. In 2025, International Paper acquired DS Smith creating an industry leader focused on the attractive and growing North American and EMEA regions. Additional information can be found by visiting internationalpaper.com

NEW YORK, April 9, 2025 /3BL/ – Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. (G&A), a leader in corporate sustainability consulting and research, is pleased to announce the first webinar in its 2025 Pathfinder Webinar Series to be held on Wednesday, May 7 at 1:00 PM EST. Registration is now open: click here to register.

G&A Institute welcomes discussion leaders from the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), uniting industry experts to examine the business relevance of sustainability topics. By leveraging the methodology behind the CSA, we will showcase examples of how sustainability issues like biodiversity and human rights can present both risks and opportunities for companies. These examples will demonstrate how such issues impact key corporate value drivers and, ultimately, influence financial performance.

Agenda

• Introduction: Sustainability is still good for business
• Linking sustainability and business strategies with the CSA
• Examples: Biodiversity and Human Rights
• Q&A

Discussion Leaders

• Louis Coppola, CEO, G&A Institute
• Robert Dornau, Senior Director, Head of CSA Corporate Engagement, S&P Global
• Sara Cardona, CSA Corporate Engagement Lead North America, S&P Global

The Pathfinder Webinar Series is designed to inform and empower corporate reporters with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the increasingly complex landscape of both domestic and international sustainability reporting.

It is a must-attend for professionals seeking to plan and stay ahead in the dynamic field of global sustainability reporting and to ensure their company’s reporting practices are robust, relevant, and resonant on the world stage.

To keep up with additional information about the series and to sign up, please visit: https://www.ga-institute.com/webinars/pathfinder-series/getting-back-to-business/

ABOUT GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY INSTITUTE, INC. 
(www.ga-institute.com)
Founded in 2006, Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. (G&A) is a sustainability consulting and research firm headquartered in New York City. G&A helps corporate and investor clients recognize, understand, and develop winning strategies for sustainability and ESG issues to address stakeholder and shareholder concerns. G&A’s proprietary, comprehensive full-suite process for sustainability reporting is designed to help organizations achieve sustainability leadership in their industry and sector and maximize return on investment for sustainability initiatives.

CONTACT:
Louis D. Coppola
Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder 
Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc.
Tel 646.430.8230 ext 14 
Email lcoppola@ga-institute.com

The countdown has started for the implementation of the State of California’s corporate climate disclosure rules, SB 253 and SB 261, which are coming into effect in January 2026. Companies doing business in California that meet certain revenue thresholds will need to disclose carbon emissions and climate-related financial risks, and obtain third-party assurance of their emissions data by a verifying company.

More recently, a bill was introduced in the California Legislature that would extend climate disclosure rules to cover major suppliers doing business with the State. If enacted, SB 755 would require suppliers with over $25 million in state contracts to report their climate-related financial risks and Scopes 1-3 carbon emissions beginning in 2027, and suppliers with $5 to $25 million in State contracts to report their Scopes 1-2 emissions.

A first-of-its-kind analysis from Governance & Accountability (G&A) Institute and supporters Ceres, Carbon Accountable, and Persefoni, reveals that most of California’s largest state suppliers do not yet disclose key climate-related information. This research provides the first industry-wide benchmark assessing how major suppliers representing billions of dollars in procurement spend are aligned with California’s enacted and proposed climate disclosure regulations.

“Not all the suppliers in our analysis are in scope for reporting under SB 253 and SB 261, but most would be required to report under SB 755,” said Louis Coppola, CEO and & Co-Founder at G&A. “Our research finds low voluntary reporting rates among current suppliers, indicating a lack of readiness to comply with the proposed regulation. With SB 755 on the horizon, our research provides a critical baseline to measure the progress of supplier readiness over time.”

Key findings of the report show that just 25% of California’s top suppliers report Scopes 1-2 emissions and 18% report Scope 3 emissions, with only 10% obtaining third-party assurance for their reported emissions. In addition, just 17% of top suppliers conducted climate-related risk assessment aligned with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).

These low levels suggest that state agencies, procurement teams, and policymakers should proactively drive supplier readiness by providing guidance on the specific requirements of each bill and their applicability. This research also highlights the need for education on the complexities of climate reporting, and support for accurately measuring emissions and conducting climate-related risk assessments.

“Suppliers must do their part to help California achieve its ambitious climate goals,” said Catherine Atkin, Director and Co-Founder of Carbon Accountable, a climate data initiative and co-sponsor of SB 253. “This analysis helps clarify where industry gaps exist and where targeted action is needed.”

“Institutional organizations, ranging from finance institutions to corporations, universities to government agencies and more are actively reshaping their procurement processes around climate resilience,” said Annie Roberts, SVP Climate Consulting at G&A Institute. “They’re expecting suppliers not just to disclose carbon emissions, but also to proactively manage climate-related business risks and build adaptive capabilities. Since every organization contributes to someone else’s Scope 3 emissions, there’s now an essential business imperative to be transparent and prepared when it comes to emissions reporting and climate strategy.”

G&A’s team is prepared to assist companies as they prepare for the implementation of SB 253 and SB 261, and to help suppliers understand the potential requirements under SB 755. For more information contact us at: info@ga-institute.com.

This is just the introduction of G&A’s Sustainability Highlights newsletter this week. Click here to view the full issue.

Originally published on Aflac Newsroom

The high school years are a pivotal time in life — getting more involved in school activities, learning to drive, going to prom, choosing post-graduation plans, preparing for adulthood and so much more. For Katie Rutherford, it was also about surviving.

As a sophomore in high school, Katie was very active, singing in the chorus and playing soccer, basketball and softball. Then, one day, she noticed a hard bump on her chin. It continued to grow to the point that it affected her ability to talk and eat. Knowing something wasn’t normal, she went to the ER at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta to find answers. After many tests, including an ultrasound and biopsy, she was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare type of cancer that develops in muscle tissue. And it had spread to the lymph nodes.

“Honestly, I was in shock and went immediately into survival mode,” said Katie. “I worried about my parents and how they would juggle the stress and anxiety ahead while caring not just for me, but for my two siblings as well.”

Following the diagnosis, Katie immediately met with an oncologist to discuss options and began treatment in 2017 — 48 rounds of chemotherapy and 27 rounds of radiation. Katie’s parents shaved their own heads in solidarity as she went through treatment.

“Every time I went in for an appointment — though the treatment made me feel horrible — everyone at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center made me feel cared for,” said Katie. “They truly changed my life for the better.”

Her care team also included in-home tutors, who made sure she could graduate on time. And, to be sure she didn’t miss out on one of the most coveted teenage milestones, Katie’s family and friends planned a big party for her 16th birthday, surrounding her with lots of love and support — a day that Katie says was one of the best of her life.

In 2018, Katie completed treatment and got to mark the end of this journey by ringing the bell, a long-standing symbolic gesture of celebration and hope.

Katie just celebrated her 7^th anniversary of ringing the cancer bell in February, and in the seven years since that moment, Katie went to college, majored in public relations and landed an internship with the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center and, after graduation, joined the team full time as program coordinator for the foundation.

“I wanted to find a way to use my talents to give back to the community that poured so much into me, and as luck would have it, the perfect opportunity opened up at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center,” said Katie. “Every day is special here, and it’s such an honor to get to build relationships with the patients, families and caregivers and show them there is so much hope for life beyond the bell.”

Learn more about the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta — including volunteer and donation opportunities — by visiting www.choa.org/jointhefight.

Aflac WWHQ |1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999

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EXP 4/26

Modern human activities are partly responsible for rising temperatures, carbon emissions, and declining biodiversity.

With nearly 40% of carbon emissions coming from the built environment, the construction industry is building and renovating more and more sustainably. With innovative solutions and new construction methods, we have a whole new vocabulary that this podcast is going to decipher for you!

No, this isn’t a sci-fi scenario! Digital twins are real, and even useful in the construction sector, especially for building simulations. The aim? To save time and, above all, make buildings more efficient and sustainable!

Listen here D… for Digital Twin, a Saint-Gobain Podcast

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group, celebrating its 360th anniversary in 2025, remains more committed than ever to its purpose “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.

€46.6 billion in sales in 2024
More than 161,000 employees, locations in 80 countries
Committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050

by Elizabeth Alm, Saturna Capital 

While far from the traditional path, my transition from archaeology to bonds may not be as radical as it first appears. Many aspects of the bond market, especially in inefficient or emerging markets, require a lot of digging. I feel like a detective in my work, gathering information from various sources and perspectives to construct a narrative. I often get sideways, skeptical glances when I exclaim, with passion, that I love bonds.

I still have the same sense of wonder I had in that tomb halfway across the world, but now it’s directed toward investing with a global perspective and a sustainable lens. With 17 years in the world of fixed income, I am part of the 12.5% of portfolio managers who are women, working every day to gain a deeper understanding of our world and the systems that function within it. 

Bonds, though often overlooked, are uniquely tangible and integral to our daily lives. They finance the infrastructure we use every day — the schools we attend, the roads we drive — and can direct money toward specific projects. These properties make them vulnerable to climate risks, yet crucial to financing a sustainable economy. 

Read more about Elizabeth’s fascinating journey here – https://greenmoney.com/uncovering-the-wonderful-world-of-fixed-income-bonds

——–

AMSTERDAM, HONG KONG, and OAKLAND, Calif., April 10, 2025 /3BL/ – Solutions updated today will deliver greater transparency on credible, actionable social and labor compliance data to drive decent working conditions in global supply chains. Cascale’s Higg Facility Social & Labor Module (Higg FSLM) and the Converged Assessment Framework (CAF) from the Social and Labor Convergence Program (SLCP) address systemic labor challenges and advance fair working conditions across global supply chains, while minimizing audit fatigue for manufacturers and suppliers.

The SLCP has updated its CAF with a new version (1.7), further enhancing the ability to provide reliable social and labor compliance data. The Higg FSLM is built on SLCP’s CAF, and is part of Cascale’s Higg Index suite of tools, which are exclusively available on Worldly, the leading supply chain sustainability data insights platform.

“The Higg FSLM is a critical tool underpinning Cascale’s Support Decent Work for All strategic pillar, through which we aim to champion workers’ rights, ensure fair purchasing practices, and streamline audits to foster safe and equitable workplaces,” said Jeremy Lardeau, SVP of Higg Index at Cascale. “Especially at a time when tariffs highlight the fragility of global supply chains, these tools are critically important. When companies use a common benchmark to measure and improve performance, they build efficiencies that reduce audit fatigue and, ultimately, save time and money.”

Janet Mensink, CEO of SLCP, commented: “This update is part of our multi-year CAF roadmap, designed to ensure that the Converged Assessment Framework remains both relevant and scalable in an evolving regulatory environment. Version 1.7 introduces enhancements that will not only maintain high-quality reports and provide credible, actionable data, but also better align with emerging human rights due diligence standards. The new version also includes features that make it easier to identify and address social and labor issues, enabling facilities to share critical findings with brands during the assessment, rather than waiting for a final report.”

“Behind every supply chain are real people whose working conditions define the integrity of global businesses,” said Adele Stafford, Chief Growth Officer, Worldly. “With standardized assessments like the Converged Assessment Framework in the Higg Facility Social & Labor Module, companies get a clearer picture of risk — but visibility alone isn’t enough. Worldly turns that data into action, helping businesses proactively improve working conditions, protect workers’ rights, and strengthen their supply chains for the long term.”

“Adopting the CAF and Higg FSLM has been a good addition to our ecosystem,” said Khawaja Faheem Uddin, GM Systems & Compliance at Artistic Milliners Private Limited. “By streamlining our compliance processes and consolidating requirements, we’ve saved time and resources while still meeting rigorous industry standards. These tools not only support us in upholding decent work for our 17,500+ employees but also enable us to build stronger partnerships with our brand customers through greater transparency and accountability. We believe that it is a good beginning, and we should continue to improve the system collectively.”

Ray Zhang, global social compliance manager at Avery Dennison, commented, “The Higg FSLM/CAF have helped us significantly reduce audit duplication—hundreds of unnecessary audits avoided globally in the past few years. Beyond streamlining compliance, the tools enhance visibility into our supply chain, empower suppliers to manage their own social performance, and allow us to focus our resources where they matter most: building capacity and improving working conditions.”

Alongside the CAF update, SLCP is expanding verifications to 44 new countries and offering tool translations in additional languages for the self-assessment process. The CAF will now be available in Latin American Spanish, as well as already existing translations of English, Chinese, Turkish, and Vietnamese.

The Higg FSLM CAF v1.7 update enhances alignment with due diligence and governance requirements, ensuring a more standardized and structured approach to social and labor performance assessments while enhancing supply chain transparency in the consumer goods industry, making businesses more resilient and avoiding hidden risk. This structured approach enables facilities to systematically identify, address, and mitigate critical issues, reinforcing worker rights, well-being, and assess overall working conditions. Additionally, it more clearly identifies non-compliances across the data and aligns with Better Work Zero Tolerance Protocols and ILO Core Conventions, ensuring consistency with global labor standards.

The CAF and the Higg FSLM are updated annually by SLCP, Cascale, and Worldly in response to stakeholder feedback, ensuring relevance and improved functionality.

ABOUT CASCALE

Cascale is the global nonprofit alliance empowering collaboration to drive equitable and restorative business practices in the consumer goods industry. Formerly known as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Cascale owns and develops the Higg Index, which is exclusively available on Worldly, the industry’s leading sustainability data insights platform. Cascale unites over 300 retailers, brands, manufacturers, governments, academics, and NGO/nonprofit affiliates around the globe through one singular vision: To catalyze impact at scale and give back more than we take to the planet and its people.

LinkedIn | X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

ABOUT SLCP

The Social & Labor Convergence Program (SLCP) is a multi-stakeholder initiative with over 270 signatories striving for decent working conditions in global supply chains. The Program aims to unite and support all stakeholders by implementing a universal social assessment tool called the Converged Assessment Framework (CAF) that delivers credible and actionable data designed to support Human Rights Due Diligence implementation and enable collaborative action. By reducing duplication in social audits, the CAF helps save resources to redeploy towards improvement actions. Over 15,000 facilities have adopted the CAF, and over 95 brands and standard holders publicly accept SLCP assessments.

Website | LinkedIn

ABOUT WORLDLY

Worldly is the leading supply chain sustainability data insights platform, trusted by 40,000+ major brands, retailers, and manufacturers in fashion, outdoor, home goods, toys, and more. Worldly uniquely collects high-resolution primary data specific to companies’ value chains, operations, and products, providing insight into true impacts across carbon, water, chemistry, and labor. Featuring the most comprehensive source of ESG data for global manufacturers and the largest library of materials and product impacts, Worldly empowers businesses to scale responsibility into their global operations, faster and more accurately. Hosting, connecting with, and supporting the leading industry solutions and methodologies, including ZDHC, Bluesign, and the Higg Index — developed and owned by the global nonprofit alliance Cascale — Worldly delivers the insights businesses need to reduce their impact, comply with emerging regulatory and financial disclosure requirements, and meet the expectations of a new generation of customers. worldly.io

STAMFORD, Conn., April 10, 2025 /3BL/ – Henkel’s Dial® brand, a trusted brand for over 75 years, is proud to announce its new ‘Clean Sheet’ program partnership with the U.S. Soccer Federation. As part of this program, Dial® will donate an initial $50,000 to DonorsChoose, an education nonprofit that supports public school teachers and students nationwide, and for every clean sheet in a U.S. Senior National Team soccer match, Dial® will donate an additional $5,000 for a total contribution of $100,000 over the next year. Dial® hopes to engage soccer fans as they cheer on the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams while giving back to the teachers who do so much for students around the country.

”Preventing the opposing team from scoring any goals, delivers a ‘clean sheet’ match for the winning team. This is a mark of defensive excellence and is a significant achievement for both the goalkeeper and the entire defensive line, demonstrating the power of teams,” said Phil Schaffer, Corporate Senior Vice President of Henkel Consumer Brands North America. “Like the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams, Henkel’s success is also driven by our passion for team play, which is why we are so excited to not only celebrate with the fans, but also to give something back to the community through education grants to engage and inspire the future generation.”

A longtime goal and brand mission of Dial® is to give educators the tools they need to teach the next generation and foster healthier communities by providing resources that support clean skin and proper hygiene practices now and in the future. To help continue Dial® ‘s brand mission to support educators and future generations, the brand has once again partnered with DonorsChoose to support its new ‘Clean Sheet’ program.

“Henkel is a proud partner of the U.S. Soccer Federation, and we at Dial® are thrilled to take the partnership further with the launch of our ‘Clean Sheet’ program,” said Allison Feldman, VP of Marketing – Personal Care at Henkel. “For years, a primary goal for the Dial® brand has been to support charitable organizations that focus on helping their local communities. Donations as a result of the ‘Clean Sheet’ program will enable us to show our commitment to local communities and support future generations to chase their goals.”

Announced in November 2024, Henkel’s multi-year portfolio partnership with U.S. Soccer is designed to help to grow the game, elevate performance, and inspire the next generation of players. In addition to the Clean Sheet program, through the partnership, Henkel is also the presenting partner of U.S. Soccer’s Young Player of the Year Awards and community youth soccer clinics, and a supporting partner of the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center. The partnership marks Henkel’s first-ever portfolio deal and will leverage a range of its more than 30 popular brands in North America, to promote the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams, as well as the Youth and Extended National Teams, during the most exciting, unprecedented time for the sport in the United States over the next several years.

For more information on Henkel’s partnership with U.S. Soccer and Dial’s ‘Clean Sheet’ program, please visit henkel-northamerica.com.

*antibacterial liquid and foaming

About Dial®

America’s trusted brand for 75 years, Dial® delivers clean, healthy feeling skin for you and your family with products for Women, Men, and Kids. From bar soap, body wash, and hand soap, our products provide a wide variety of cleansing benefits for our consumers. See www.dialsoap.com for full details.

About Henkel in North America 

Henkel’s portfolio of well-known brands in North America includes all®, Purex® and Persil® laundry detergents, Snuggle® fabric softeners, Dial® soaps, Schwarzkopf® hair care, as well as Loctite®, Technomelt® and Bonderite® adhesives. With sales close to 6.5 billion US dollars (6 billion euros) in 2024, North America accounts for 28 percent of the company’s global sales. Henkel employs around 8,000 people across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.henkel-northamerica.com and on X @Henkel_NA.

About DonorsChoose
DonorsChoose is the leading way to give to public schools. Since 2000, 6.3 million people and partners have contributed $1.7 billion to support over 3 million teacher requests for classroom resources and experiences. As the most trusted crowdfunding platform for teachers, donors, and district administrators alike, DonorsChoose vets each request, ships the funded resources directly to the classroom, and provides thank yous and reporting to donors and school leaders. Charity Navigator and GuideStar have awarded DonorsChoose, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, their highest ratings for transparency and accountability. For more information, visit www.donorschoose.org.

Dial Contact:

Carolanne Coviello, Creative Media Marketing
Phone: 212-979-8884
Email: carolanne@cmmpr.com

Henkel North America Contact:

Erica Cooper
Phone: 475-232-4973
Email: erica.cooper@henkel.com

An expanding frontier of risk oversight 

Reputation and brand management oversight involves strategically governing how a brand is perceived and managed in the marketplace. Brand management focuses on creating a coherent narrative that resonates with target audiences, while reputation refers to the collective perception of stakeholders based on their interactions with the organization.

Effective board governance in this area is essential for organizations to prevent reputational crises and ensure long-term growth. In an evolving and volatile risk environment, managing reputation and brand has shifted from being a byproduct of operational success to a strategic asset that requires active oversight. Boards of directors are uniquely positioned to protect and guide this essential asset amid the distinct challenges presented by artificial intelligence (AI). These factors have altered the speed, scope and complexity of managing reputation and brand, compelling boards to place reputation oversight at the forefront of their governance strategies.

The strategic importance of reputation

Reputation is a critical asset that influences stakeholder relationships — including those with investors, employees, customers, regulators and communities. A strong reputation can enhance customer loyalty, engagement, access to capital and long-term profitability. Conversely, a damaged reputation can lead to financial losses, regulatory scrutiny, talent attrition and erosion of shareholder value.

Trust is a valuable commodity, and boards must recognize reputation as a key performance indicator (KPI) that requires continuous assessment, protection and enhancement.

The evolving risk landscape 

Social media — and AI tools to automate social media — have significantly accelerated the pace and breadth of public discourse. A genuine or perceived mistake can escalate into a major crisis within hours. Hashtag movements, viral content and influential voices can quickly bolster or undermine years of reputational investment. The decentralized structure of social media also allows for the unchecked spread of misinformation, fake news and targeted attacks—forcing organizations to engage in reactive damage control.

AI presents both opportunities and threats to reputation management. In one instance, AI-driven tools can offer advanced sentiment analysis, predictive monitoring and crisis forecasting, enabling organizations to take proactive measures. In another instance, AI technologies — such as deepfakes, generative content and automated misinformation campaigns — can unpredictably threaten corporate reputations. Boards must understand AI’s ethical, legal and operational implications while ensuring its responsible application within the organization.

Why boards should prioritize reputation oversight 

Today’s stakeholders demand greater transparency, accountability and alignment with societal values, making concerns about cybersecurity and environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors increasingly tied to corporate reputation. The role of the board is to ensure their organization complies with regulatory requirements and actively engages with stakeholders on critical issues. Reputation is fundamentally linked to various business risks, including cyber threats, regulatory compliance, supply chain vulnerabilities and environmental impacts.

For example, a data breach should not be viewed solely as a technical error but as a reputational event that can erode customer trust. Therefore, boards must adopt a holistic risk management approach that places reputation in decision-making. Additionally, while AI can significantly enhance these efforts by providing advanced analytics and predictive capabilities, it raises concerns that can impact reputation and brand. Data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the ethical use of AI can lead to public scrutiny and potential backlash if not managed responsibly.

Crisis preparedness is a board-level responsibility. In our fast-paced digital age, reputational crises can escalate rapidly, leaving boards no room for a reactive stance. Directors must ensure that crisis management frameworks are robust, well-practiced and adaptable. This involves conducting comprehensive scenario planning, providing media training and preparing organizational leadership to respond swiftly and authentically under pressure.

When it comes to accountability in the use of AI, boards must oversee the deployment of AI within the organization, particularly in areas that impact public trust — such as marketing, data privacy and decision-making algorithms. Establishing clear governance policies for AI, including ethical guidelines and bias mitigation strategies, is essential to maintain and enhance reputation.

Insights on the importance for boards 

• Impact on oversight: Boards play a crucial role to ensure that all facets of an organization are aligned with its strategic goals. By prioritizing reputation management, boards can provide effective oversight over risk management practices, crisis response protocols and the implementation of AI technologies. This proactive approach can help mitigate potential risks before they escalate into crises.
• Governance implications: Effective governance requires boards to establish policies and frameworks that uphold ethical standards, compliance and transparency. By addressing the evolving risk landscape, boards can implement robust governance measures that enhance accountability and trust. This includes establishing guidelines for the responsible use of AI, monitoring social media activities and ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements.
• Reputation and brand management: A strong reputation is a valuable asset that can differentiate an organization in a competitive market. Boards must recognize that reputation management is integral to brand management and long-term success. By actively engaging in reputation oversight, boards can protect and enhance the organization’s brand, foster customer loyalty and build trust with stakeholders.

The bottom line 

The evolving risk landscape, driven by AI, necessitates a comprehensive approach to reputation management. Boards must prioritize oversight, governance and accountability to safeguard the organization’s reputation, navigate potential risks and maintain stakeholder trust. This proactive stance not only mitigates potential threats but also strengthens the organization’s overall resilience and brand value.

Three key steps boards should consider 

1. Embed reputation into strategic discussions: Boards should prioritize reputation as a core governance issue, integrating it into strategy reviews, risk assessments and performance evaluations.
2. Enhance board competency: Directors should commit to continuous education on emerging technologies, social media dynamics and reputation management strategies. Adding directors with experience in these areas can further strengthen the board’s oversight capabilities.
3. Leverage technology for oversight: Management should ensure the effective use of AI-powered tools for sentiment analysis, reputational monitoring and early warning systems. These tools can provide actionable insights into stakeholder sentiment and emerging risks.

Ten questions boards should ask 

To address the evolving risk landscape driven by AI, navigate the complexities of AI-driven risks and ensure robust reputation management, boards should begin by asking these questions:

1. What are the specific AI-related risks that could impact our organization’s reputation?
2. How have other organizations in our industry managed similar risks?
3. What potential future AI developments could pose new risks to our reputation?
4. How might changes in public perception of AI affect our stakeholders’ trust?
5. What measures can we implement to proactively manage AI-related risks?
6. How can we leverage AI to enhance our reputation and stakeholder trust?
7. How do our current crisis management plans address AI-related risks?
8. What lessons have we learned from past AI-related incidents that can inform our future strategies?
9. How do our stakeholders perceive our use of AI, and what concerns do they have?
10. What values and principles should guide our AI governance to maintain trust and accountability?

Baker Tilly is here to help you navigate these risks and build a road map to enhance governance. Connect to learn more.