Conference Program
The Fourth Sustainability, Natural Capital & Value Creation Conference
Day One
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Rankin Family Pavilion 214/215
7:15 – 8:15 am
Breakfast & Registration
8:15 – 8:30 am
Opening Remarks
- Tim Kenyon, Vice-President Research, Brock University
- Barry Wright, Dean, Goodman School of Business
- C.S. Agnes Cheng, Dale Looper Chair in Accounting, University of Oklahoma
- Justin Jin, Director, CPA Ontario Centre for Accounting Research in Regulatory Reporting
- Sasan Saiy, Co-Director, Bachelor of Sustainability and Financial Management, University of Waterloo
8:30 – 10:00 am
Keynote Address & Panel Discussion
Moderator · Samir Trabelsi, Brock University
8:30 – 9:15 am
Keynote Address
Shiva Rajgopal
Roy Bernard Kester and T.W. Byrnes Professor of Accounting and Auditing
Chair of the Accounting Division
Columbia Business School, Columbia University
9:15 – 10:00 am
Panel
Canada as a Force of Nature — From Natural Capital to Economic Value
- Bailey Church, KPMG
- Neila Ben Zina, Wimbee Tech
- Jonathan Parenteau, University of Ottawa
- Jean-Philippe Levasseur, Carbone Québec
- Shahryar Rahman, Brock University
10:00 – 10:15 am
Coffee Break
10:15 – 11:45 am
Presentation Session 1
Moderator · Agnes Cheng, University of Oklahoma
10:15 – 10:55 am
1
Emissions Restatements after the SEC’s Request for Public Input
PresenterDaniel Aobdia, Penn State University
DiscussantKareen Brown, Brock University tbc
11:00 – 11:40 am
2
Water Compliance and Cost of Capital: Evidence from EPA Enforcements
PresenterHien Nguyen, Wilfrid Laurier University
DiscussantJustin Jin, McMaster University
11:45 am – 12:45 pm
Lunch
The Goodman School of Business Atrium
12:45 – 2:15 pm
Presentation Session 2
Moderator · Simon Suwanyangyuan, Brock University
12:45 – 1:25 pm
3
Anti-Greenwashing Legislation and Environmental Reporting: Evidence from Canada
PresenterJingjing Wang, University of Calgary
DiscussantLanxin Jiang, Stony Brook University
1:30 – 2:15 pm
4
Rendering Indigenous Rights Legible to Markets: A Critical Evaluation of Global Sustainability Disclosure Frameworks
PresenterRaylene J. Whitford, University of Alberta
DiscussantRussell Evans, University of Guelph
2:15 – 2:30 pm
Coffee Break
2:30 – 4:05 pm
Featured Research Presentations
Moderator · Sasan Saiy, University of Waterloo
2:30 – 3:10 pm
Decolonizing Natural Capital Accounting: Centering Indigenous Perspectives in Canada’s Sustainability Discourse
PresenterRussell Evans, University of Guelph
Government Procurement Sensitivity to Corporate Contractors’ Negative Reputation Incidents
PresenterMuhammad Azim, University of Waterloo
The Externality of Machine-based Information Processing for Local Power System Reliability: Evidence from Concurrent Earnings Announcements
PresenterBohan Song, University of Alberta
Q&A Panel · 10 min
3:15 – 4:05 pm
Advancing Greenhouse Gas Reporting with Blockchain and Life Cycle Assessment
PresenterLanxin Jiang, Stony Brook University
When Earth Whispers: Biodiversity Risk and Corporate Internal Carbon Pricing
PresenterLanxin Jiang, UNSW Business School
Are Natural Assets Integrated in Insurance and Banking in Canada? An Explorative Study
PresenterOlaf Weber, York University
Democratizing Measurement of Unstructured Corporate Giving Using an AI-based Framework
PresenterDina El Mahdy, Morgan State University
Q&A Panel · 10 min
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Conference Dinner at Trius Winery & Restaurant
1249 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Day Two
Sunday, October 11, 2026
Rankin Family Pavilion 214/215
7:30 – 8:15 am
Breakfast & Registration Continue
8:15 – 9:40 am
Presentation Session 3
Moderator · Linda Myers, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
8:15 – 8:55 am
5
The Effect of Mandatory Carbon Disclosure on Cross-Border Innovation Collaboration
PresenterXi Chen, University of Bristol
DiscussantMuhammad Azim, University of Waterloo
9:00 – 9:40 am
6
Employee Whistleblowing and Corporate Environmental Performance
PresenterMadhu Kalimipalli, Wilfrid Laurier University
DiscussantHarshit Rajaiya, University of Ottawa
9:45 – 10:00 am
Coffee Break
10:00 – 11:25 am
Presentation Session 4
Moderator · Sasan Saiy, University of Waterloo
10:00 – 10:40 am
7
Corporate Climate Lobbying and Audit Risk
PresenterOle-Kristian Hope, University of Toronto
DiscussantSimon Suwanyangyuan, Brock University
10:45 – 11:25 am
8
How Do ESG Incidents at Private Firms Affect Their Eventual Success in Product and Financial Markets?
PresenterYudong Liu, University of Houston
DiscussantOlaf Weber, York University
11:30 am – 12:15 pm
Keynote Address
Charles H. Cho
Professor of Sustainability Accounting
Erivan K. Haub Chair in Business & Sustainability
Schulich School of Business, York University
12:15 – 1:15 pm
Lunch
The Goodman School of Business Atrium
1:15 – 2:00 pm
Editors Panel
From Good Research to Great Impact
ModeratorC.S. Agnes Cheng, University of Oklahoma
- Elizabeth Demers, University of Waterloo
- Linda Myers, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- Shiva Rajgopal, Columbia University
- James Ohlson, New York University
- Anup Srivastava, University of Calgary
2:00 – 3:25 pm
Presentation Session 5
Moderator · Fayez Elayan, Brock University
2:00 – 2:40 pm
9
Disclosure Regulation and Social Insurance Compliance
PresenterOle-Kristian Hope, University of Toronto – Rotman School of Management
DiscussantFayez Elayan, Brock University
2:45 – 3:25 pm
10
Ethical Fading, CEO Career Prospects, and Greentech Orientation
PresenterAlan Douglas, University of Waterloo
DiscussantAgnes Cheng, University of Oklahoma
3:25 – 3:45 pm
Closing Remarks
Atrium, Goodman School of Business
- Justin Jin, Professor, McMaster University
- Jennifer Li, Associate Dean of Research, Brock University
- Samir Trabelsi, CPA Ontario Distinguished Scholar, Brock University
Conference Organizing Committee
- Amna ChalwatiAssociate Professor of Accounting, Saint Mary’s University
- Agnes ChengDale Looper Chair in Accounting, University of Oklahoma
- Fares BelkhiriaAssistant Professor of Marketing, Laval University
- Linda MyersHaslam Chair & Distinguished Professor, Accounting, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- Justin JinProfessor of Accounting & Financial Management Services, McMaster University
- Sasan SaiyAssociate Professor of Accounting, University of Waterloo
- Samir TrabelsiDirector, NatCap Valuation Hub Research Centre; CPA Ontario Distinguished Scholar, Brock University
With gratitude to our sponsors
- NatCap Valuation Hub Research Centre, Brock University
- CPA Ontario Centre for Accounting Research in Regulatory Reporting
- The Hub for Sustainability Integration, School of Accounting and Finance, University of Waterloo
- Global Initiative for Governance and Sustainability (GIGS)
- Goodman School of Business, Brock University
Conference Program
The Fourth Sustainability, Natural Capital & Value Creation Conference
Day One
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Rankin Family Pavilion 214/215
7:15 – 8:15 am
Breakfast & Registration
8:15 – 8:30 am
Opening Remarks
- Tim Kenyon, Vice-President Research, Brock University
- Barry Wright, Dean, Goodman School of Business
- C.S. Agnes Cheng, Dale Looper Chair in Accounting, University of Oklahoma
- Justin Jin, Director, CPA Ontario Centre for Accounting Research in Regulatory Reporting
- Sasan Saiy, Co-Director, Bachelor of Sustainability and Financial Management, University of Waterloo
8:30 – 10:00 am
Keynote Address & Panel Discussion
Moderator · Samir Trabelsi, Brock University
8:30 – 9:15 am
Keynote Address
Shiva Rajgopal
Roy Bernard Kester and T.W. Byrnes Professor of Accounting and Auditing
Chair of the Accounting Division
Columbia Business School, Columbia University
9:15 – 10:00 am
Panel
Canada as a Force of Nature — From Natural Capital to Economic Value
- Bailey Church, KPMG
- Neila Ben Zina, Wimbee Tech
- Jonathan Parenteau, University of Ottawa
- Jean-Philippe Levasseur, Carbone Québec
- Shahryar Rahman, Brock University
10:00 – 10:15 am
Coffee Break
10:15 – 11:45 am
Presentation Session 1
Moderator · Agnes Cheng, University of Oklahoma
10:15 – 10:55 am
1
Emissions Restatements after the SEC’s Request for Public Input
PresenterDaniel Aobdia, Penn State University
DiscussantKareen Brown, Brock University tbc
11:00 – 11:40 am
2
Water Compliance and Cost of Capital: Evidence from EPA Enforcements
PresenterHien Nguyen, Wilfrid Laurier University
DiscussantJustin Jin, McMaster University
11:45 am – 12:45 pm
Lunch
The Goodman School of Business Atrium
12:45 – 2:15 pm
Presentation Session 2
Moderator · Simon Suwanyangyuan, Brock University
12:45 – 1:25 pm
3
Anti-Greenwashing Legislation and Environmental Reporting: Evidence from Canada
PresenterJingjing Wang, University of Calgary
DiscussantLanxin Jiang, Stony Brook University
1:30 – 2:15 pm
4
Rendering Indigenous Rights Legible to Markets: A Critical Evaluation of Global Sustainability Disclosure Frameworks
PresenterRaylene J. Whitford, University of Alberta
DiscussantRussell Evans, University of Guelph
2:15 – 2:30 pm
Coffee Break
2:30 – 4:05 pm
Featured Research Presentations
Moderator · Sasan Saiy, University of Waterloo
2:30 – 3:10 pm
Decolonizing Natural Capital Accounting: Centering Indigenous Perspectives in Canada’s Sustainability Discourse
PresenterRussell Evans, University of Guelph
Government Procurement Sensitivity to Corporate Contractors’ Negative Reputation Incidents
PresenterMuhammad Azim, University of Waterloo
The Externality of Machine-based Information Processing for Local Power System Reliability: Evidence from Concurrent Earnings Announcements
PresenterBohan Song, University of Alberta
Q&A Panel · 10 min
3:15 – 4:05 pm
Advancing Greenhouse Gas Reporting with Blockchain and Life Cycle Assessment
PresenterLanxin Jiang, Stony Brook University
When Earth Whispers: Biodiversity Risk and Corporate Internal Carbon Pricing
PresenterLanxin Jiang, UNSW Business School
Are Natural Assets Integrated in Insurance and Banking in Canada? An Explorative Study
PresenterOlaf Weber, York University
Democratizing Measurement of Unstructured Corporate Giving Using an AI-based Framework
PresenterDina El Mahdy, Morgan State University
Q&A Panel · 10 min
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Conference Dinner at Trius Winery & Restaurant
1249 Niagara Stone Road, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Day Two
Sunday, October 11, 2026
Rankin Family Pavilion 214/215
7:30 – 8:15 am
Breakfast & Registration Continue
8:15 – 9:40 am
Presentation Session 3
Moderator · Linda Myers, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
8:15 – 8:55 am
5
The Effect of Mandatory Carbon Disclosure on Cross-Border Innovation Collaboration
PresenterXi Chen, University of Bristol
DiscussantMuhammad Azim, University of Waterloo
9:00 – 9:40 am
6
Employee Whistleblowing and Corporate Environmental Performance
PresenterMadhu Kalimipalli, Wilfrid Laurier University
DiscussantHarshit Rajaiya, University of Ottawa
9:45 – 10:00 am
Coffee Break
10:00 – 11:25 am
Presentation Session 4
Moderator · Sasan Saiy, University of Waterloo
10:00 – 10:40 am
7
Corporate Climate Lobbying and Audit Risk
PresenterOle-Kristian Hope, University of Toronto
DiscussantSimon Suwanyangyuan, Brock University
10:45 – 11:25 am
8
How Do ESG Incidents at Private Firms Affect Their Eventual Success in Product and Financial Markets?
PresenterYudong Liu, University of Houston
DiscussantOlaf Weber, York University
11:30 am – 12:15 pm
Keynote Address
Charles H. Cho
Professor of Sustainability Accounting
Erivan K. Haub Chair in Business & Sustainability
Schulich School of Business, York University
12:15 – 1:15 pm
Lunch
The Goodman School of Business Atrium
1:15 – 2:00 pm
Editors Panel
From Good Research to Great Impact
ModeratorC.S. Agnes Cheng, University of Oklahoma
- Elizabeth Demers, University of Waterloo
- Linda Myers, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- Shiva Rajgopal, Columbia University
- James Ohlson, New York University
- Anup Srivastava, University of Calgary
2:00 – 3:25 pm
Presentation Session 5
Moderator · Fayez Elayan, Brock University
2:00 – 2:40 pm
9
Disclosure Regulation and Social Insurance Compliance
PresenterOle-Kristian Hope, University of Toronto – Rotman School of Management
DiscussantFayez Elayan, Brock University
2:45 – 3:25 pm
10
Ethical Fading, CEO Career Prospects, and Greentech Orientation
PresenterAlan Douglas, University of Waterloo
DiscussantAgnes Cheng, University of Oklahoma
3:25 – 3:45 pm
Closing Remarks
Atrium, Goodman School of Business
- Justin Jin, Professor, McMaster University
- Jennifer Li, Associate Dean of Research, Brock University
- Samir Trabelsi, CPA Ontario Distinguished Scholar, Brock University
Conference Organizing Committee
- Amna ChalwatiAssociate Professor of Accounting, Saint Mary’s University
- Agnes ChengDale Looper Chair in Accounting, University of Oklahoma
- Fares BelkhiriaAssistant Professor of Marketing, Laval University
- Linda MyersHaslam Chair & Distinguished Professor, Accounting, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- Justin JinProfessor of Accounting & Financial Management Services, McMaster University
- Sasan SaiyAssociate Professor of Accounting, University of Waterloo
- Samir TrabelsiDirector, NatCap Valuation Hub Research Centre; CPA Ontario Distinguished Scholar, Brock University
With gratitude to our sponsors
- NatCap Valuation Hub Research Centre, Brock University
- CPA Ontario Centre for Accounting Research in Regulatory Reporting
- The Hub for Sustainability Integration, School of Accounting and Finance, University of Waterloo
- Global Initiative for Governance and Sustainability (GIGS)
- Goodman School of Business, Brock University