Beyond Compliance: Turning Sustainability into Enterprise Value

Sustainability is no longer just a compliance exercise—it’s a core business issue tied directly to risk, cost management, and long-term value creation. In this episode of the Privately Speaking podcast, host and KPMG partner Erika Whitmore, is joined by Maura Hodge, partner and US Sustainability Leader at KPMG, for a practical, board-level conversation on how private companies should be thinking about sustainability in today’s dynamic environment.

Drawing on real-world examples and evolving regulatory expectations, this episode will explore how sustainability shows up across enterprise risk management, AI and data center growth, supply chains, M&A diligence, and valuation—shifting the conversation from “doing the right thing” to making smart, value-driven business decisions.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why sustainability is now a board-level risk—from climate risks and resource shortages to AI-driven changes
• How sustainability affects deals and valuation—including growing diligence demands from investors, buyers, and private equity
• Where private companies can begin—a step-by-step guide to compliance, emissions tracking, data management, and integrating sustainability with risk management

Whether you’re a board member, executive, or advisor to high-growth private companies, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at how sustainability can move beyond compliance to become a lever for resilience, efficiency, and enterprise value.