# CSB in Conversation with Brunswick: Corporate Boards Need ESG Expertise Now More Than Ever

Center for Sustainable Business

June 23, 2021 ![Brunswick](/sites/default/files/styles/246w/public/assets/images/brunswick.png?itok=-WVuO_xU) CSB Director [Tensie Whelan](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/experience-stern/about/departments-centers-initiatives/centers-of-research/center-sustainable-business/about-csb/our-team/about-tensie-whelan) spoke with Brunswick Partner[ Maria Figueroa Küpçü](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjVgfXm_q3xAhWKl-AKHdptBLYQFjAAegQIAxAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.brunswickgroup.com%2Fmaria-figueroa-kupcu-i1637%2F&usg=AOvVaw06YxsyHYiM7R_iS-f5H6Ge) about the current ESG landscape. In the article, "[Directors Learn Their ESGs](https://www.brunswickgroup.com/esg-boardroom-tensie-whelan-i19084/)," Whelan speaks to boards' critical role in integrating ESG across business functions and comments on how long-term sustainable growth strategies are hindered by continued investor pressure for short-term financial gains.

CSB's research on [corporate boards' lack of ESG expertise](https://www.stern.nyu.edu/sites/default/files/assets/documents/U.S.%20Corporate%20Boards%20Suffer%20From%20Inadequate%20%20Expertise%20in%20Financially%20Material%20ESG%20Matters.docx%20%282.13.21%29.pdf) finds that out of 1,100 Fortune 100 company board members, less than 33% had relevant ESG experience.

Excerpt: "While many have been talking for many years about climate change and diversity and racism issues and the need for companies to work with their stakeholders in a value creation way, it hasn’t been seen as existential or mandatory."

**Read the full article [here.](https://www.brunswickgroup.com/esg-boardroom-tensie-whelan-i19084/)**