7 March 2023: CDP, the global non-profit that runs the world’s environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions, has appointed Daniel (Dani) Goldsmith as Chief Financial Officer, following an extensive global search process. He joins the Executive Leadership Team at CDP with immediate effect.
Mr Goldsmith brings a wealth of diverse and deep financial and operational experience to CDP, and a long track record of building and leading high-functioning global teams. His arrival, which follows shortly after the recent appointment of Sherry Madera as Chief Executive Officer in October 2023, further strengthens the senior leadership at CDP.
Based in Chicago, USA, Mr Goldsmith brings significant additional global capability to CDP’s Executive Leadership Team, having also previously lived and worked in Europe, Asia and South America. With a senior leadership career spanning more than 25 years, in both Fortune 500 and high-growth start-up firms, Dani has served as CFO and COO across numerous sectors, from financial services and manufacturing to finance and insurance. Immediately prior to joining CDP as CFO, Dani also spent several years running his own consulting business, 5 Why Consultants.
Former roles include CFO of HUB International, one of the world’s largest insurance brokerage firms, and COO and CFO at PCF Insurance Services, as well as leadership positions with Tenneco Automotive, Borg Warner, Terex Cranes, Almatis and Owens Corning.
Commenting on the appointment, Sherry Madera, CEO, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Dani Goldsmith to the CDP Leadership Team. His 25 years’ experience as a global business leader across a wide variety of industry sectors will be invaluable as CDP builds on its 20+ years of experience to drive forward even more ambitious increases and improvements in disclosure from companies, cities, states and regions in the next few years.
“Dani’s deep understanding of financial strategy and operations will be instrumental in guiding the financial decision making that will support our organizational strategy, ensuring continued financial stability as we enter an ambitious high-growth phase supported by our new technology platform which will be launched this year.”
Daniel Goldsmith added:
“I am thrilled to be able to fulfil my long-held and strong desire to serve the public good on a truly global platform and am honored to join CDP at such an exciting and pivotal time in the organization’s evolution. CDP pioneered and has been a driving force behind corporate environmental disclosure and data provision for the past 20+ years, working with businesses, capital markets, cities and governments.
“The data CDP gathers is used by and underpins hundreds of organizations and tools within the overarching ecosystem. CDP consistently raises the bar on corporate environmental ambition based on the latest science, and works with regulators and standard setters across the world. I am excited to bring my varied industry experience and skill set to support the organization as it delivers on the next ambitious phase of its disclosure and data strategy.”
In addition to his extensive commercial experience and numerous previous CFO roles, Mr. Goldsmith’s public service, non-profit and voluntary appointments include co-founding the US Soccer Federation Council, and serving as a board member for Meals on Wheels Chicago, Communities in Schools and RespectAbility, a non-profit that works to create systemic change in how society views and values people with disabilities, amongst other organisations. He holds a BS and MBA in Finance from DePaul University as well as a CMA and Executive MBA from Harvard University.
CDP partnered in its search for a new CFO with Executive Search company, Odgers Berndtson, who provided a diverse and global shortlist of high calibre candidates.
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For further information please contact: [email protected]
Notes for editors
CDP saw a record-breaking year in 2023 for environmental disclosures through its platform, with more than 23,000 companies now disclosing their data on climate change, water security and deforestation issues, signifying a 24% increase since 2022 – alongside more than 1,100 cities, states and regions in close to 100 countries worldwide.
About CDP
CDP is a global non-profit that runs the world’s environmental disclosure system for companies, cities, states and regions. Founded in 2000 and working with more than 740 financial institutions with over $136 trillion in assets, CDP pioneered using capital markets and corporate procurement to motivate companies to disclose their environmental impacts, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard water resources and protect forests. Over 24,000 organizations around the world disclosed data through CDP in 2023, with more than 23,000 companies – including listed companies worth two thirds global market capitalization - and over 1,100 cities, states and regions. Fully TCFD aligned, CDP holds the largest environmental database in the world, and CDP scores are widely used to drive investment and procurement decisions towards a zero carbon, sustainable and resilient economy. CDP is a founding member of the Science Based Targets initiative, We Mean Business Coalition, The Investor Agenda and the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative. Visit cdp.net or follow us @CDP to find out more