Leadership Now Project Files Amicus Brief in Trump's Supreme Court Immunity Case

Washington, D.C, April 9, 2024, — Leadership Now Project, with the support of pro bono counsel Covington & Burling, has filed an amicus brief in Donald J. Trump v. United States of America. The brief makes the business case for why former President Trump must not be granted immunity from being prosecuted for potential criminal acts committed while President to subvert the results of the 2020 presidential election. 

“Leadership Now’s amicus brief underscores a core principle that underpins both our democracy and our economy: no individual, regardless of position, is above the law. This principle is crucial for maintaining the stable and predictable economic conditions essential for business confidence and growth,” says Daniella Ballou-Aares, CEO, Leadership Now Project.

The brief says:

“For over 230 years, the American business community has relied upon our founding governmental principle that no one is above the law as the essential guarantor of business investments and expectations.    

The unparalleled American economic prosperity fostered by this principle has resulted in immense benefits not only for business owners but also for the millions of people employed by them, and for consumers, investors, and other stakeholders in the economy. But America’s economic prosperity and competitiveness, and other benefits fostered by the rule of law, can endure only when all political and economic actors, including the nation’s highest government officials, are constrained by that rule of law and its prohibitions against criminal activity.”

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on April 25th.

Wisconsin Business Leaders Defend Election Administrator

Update (January 16, 2024) — Dane County Circuit Court Judge Ann Peacock declared Friday that she agreed with the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC), which argued that election system stability heading into the 2024 election was in the public interest. Her decision cleared Wisconsin elections chief Meagan Wolfe to remain in her role, overruling a Republican effort to oust her and name a new leader.

Leadership Now, along with Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy, supported WEC Administrator Meagan Wolfe's bid to retain her seat, submitting an amicus brief on Nov. 22. Wolfe had faced scrutiny for three years following false claims by former President Trump about his election loss and 2020 election procedures in the state, and Wisconsin legislative leaders had filed a lawsuit seeking a new WEC appointment.

Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy released the following statement featured in WisPolitics: “Ms. Wolfe’s unwavering leadership at the Wisconsin Elections Commission guarantees stability and transparency in the electoral process, creating an environment vital for business growth. This ruling ensures our top election official can keep doing the important work of administering free and fair elections. In an era where political stability shapes business decisions, this case underscores the imperative for Wisconsinites to stay actively engaged. The inseparable link between a resilient democracy and a flourishing business environment demands our collective commitment.” – John Florsheim (Leadership Now Member)

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On November 27, 2023, Leadership Now Wisconsin Chair Anoop Prakash and Member Tom Florsheim Jr. talked with Anthony DaBruzzi of Spectrum News 1 regarding an amicus brief that Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy, in collaboration with Leadership Now Project, filed in support of Elections Administrator Meagan Wolfe after state legislators attempted to remove her from office without cause. 

The brief emphasizes the need for impartial election administration and warns that Wolfe's removal could destabilize Wisconsin's democracy ahead of the 2024 election.

The legal challenge to Meagan Wolfe's position arose from a lawsuit filed in Dane County by state legislative leaders who aimed to force the Wisconsin Elections Commission (WEC) to select a new administrator. Notably, Wolfe has held the role of state Elections Administrator since her appointment in February 2018. She received unanimous confirmation for a four-year term from the GOP-controlled Senate in May 2019. However, a State Senate vote in September to remove her was later acknowledged as symbolic and held no legal significance. 

During the interview, Prakash emphasized the importance of allowing Meagan Wolfe to continue her role. He highlighted the need for the legislature to focus on economic development and job creation rather than repeatedly investigating past elections. 

Florsheim emphasized the bipartisan nature of their efforts, uniting business leaders from both Republican and Democratic backgrounds to protect democracy against threats and attempts by the legislature to limit voter access.

"Everyone has to realize that running elections in a big state like Wisconsin is a complicated process," Florsheim said. "Here we have somebody that ran an election through a pandemic, which has a lot of challenges in itself, that did an exemplary job, and she's received accolades from both Republicans and Democrats."

Wisconsin Business Leaders for Democracy's actions underscore the importance of upholding democratic values, especially during crucial elections. Their bipartisan approach emphasizes that democracy's strength transcends party lines, relying on collective commitment to protect its foundations.

Watch the news segment here. 

(Spectrum News 1/Anthony DaBruzzi)

Leadership Now Project Files Amicus Brief in Disney v. DeSantis, Highlighting Government Retaliation as Threat to Business and Democracy

Orlando, FL, August 10, 2023 – Leadership Now Project has filed an amicus brief in Walt Disney Parks v. DeSantis, underscoring the threat that government retaliation poses to businesses and democracy. The brief highlights the alarming trend of state governments punishing companies for their constitutionally protected speech. 

The health of the U.S. democratic system and the economy relies on business, which are strained by the threat of government retaliation, hindering investment and innovation. Leadership Now Member and CityView CEO, Sean Burton warns of the risks, stating, "This case is particularly egregious because it involves government interference with established contracts. Such interference jeopardizes economic prosperity by decreasing the ability of companies to be autonomous and manage themselves. It prevents companies from investing in ways that create the most value for their employees, customers, and shareholders."

The brief underlines that this case relates to action by political leaders with little precedent in the United States and reminds us of what the future could look like for American democracy and business — a nation where political leaders could use their office to cancel contracts or enact laws directed at specific companies with whom they disagree. 

Leadership Now Member and Executive Chairperson of Jack Cooper, Sarah Amico shares her concern in the precedent this could set, explaining, “The state has weaponized the power of government to punish a private business for exercising its right to free speech on behalf of employees, customers and stakeholders. This kind of retaliation is, simply put, antithetical to the core tenets of U.S. democracy. As the Executive Chairperson of one of North America’s largest women-owned logistics businesses, I am deeply concerned about the outcome of this case. American businesses invest in our communities, create jobs for our families, and bolster our nation’s competitiveness. Government can be an important partner in that work — but only if it defends a key element contributing to the stability of the American economic system — the well-settled principle that contracts will be enforced and upheld."  

Leadership Now's CEO, Daniella Ballou-Aares, points out that “Leadership Now submitted a brief because we believe it is essential that business leaders stand together and respond when political leaders use their power to punish companies who express alternative views than them.” As U.S. businesses face mounting pressures, the threat of government retaliation only amplifies challenges, endangering economic security and democracy. By taking a clear position on this case, the Leadership Now Project’s membership of business leaders aims to protect democratic stability against these threats.

Daniella Ballou-Aares discussed the threat of political retribution in depth with Triple Pundit Managing Editor Mary Mazzoni: Beyond Disney: Government Overreach Threatens Free Speech and Good Business, Executives Say

New Report Addressing Financial and Economic Dangers of Democratic Backsliding

On July 11, the States United Democracy Center and the Brookings Institution published a new report by Princeton Professor Layna Mosley, cautioning that the erosion of democratic practices and norms in the United States poses risks for investors. The report provides a range of tools for institutional investors to mitigate those risks and help protect American democracy. 

The report makes clear that the risks posed by democratic erosion are material, meaning that to fulfill their fiduciary duty, institutional investors must closely consider political risks. To do so, understanding the potential dangers and vulnerabilities that undermine democratic principles is crucial. Economic volatility, increased capital costs, reduced business activities, and threats to the liberal international order are among the risks associated with democratic erosion. 

The report explores democratic backsliding in America, global and U.S. democracy landscapes, and the connection between political risk and economic outcomes, and also offers concrete suggestions to effectively respond to these risks.

Key recommendations for mitigation include:

• Institutions should add U.S. political risk to the set of factors assessed when seeking to safeguard the assets of shareholders and beneficiaries.

• When seeking to acquire existing operations or open new ones, businesses should consider a state’s voting laws and assurances of full access to the ballot, as well as any state-level efforts to interfere with the democratic process.

• Institutional investors should advocate for full disclosure of corporate lobbying expenditures as a means of ensuring that lobbying is consistent with corporate strategy, as well as with respect for democratic political institutions.

• Institutional investors should identify an appropriate subset of U.S. portfolio companies (based on risk profiles, market impact, and responsiveness, among other factors) and focus mitigation strategies — including discussions of U.S. political risk — on them.
  

Leadership Now was glad to provide input to the analysis.

To view the full report, click here.

Additional resources: 

• Review our Democracy State Report Cards, which help business leaders make informed decisions about investing and operating in all 50 states. 

• Our Corporate Civic Engagement Best Practice Guide has case studies and resources for business leaders.

How CEOs Can Navigate Today's Politically Fraught Environment

JUST Capital, the platform for measuring corporate performance in the stakeholder economy, featured Business & Democracy Initiative founding partners Daniella Ballou-Aares, CEO & Co-Founder of the Leadership Now Project, and Rhett Buttle, Founder & Principal of Public Private Strategies, discussing why businesses have a vested interest in a stable democracy and why leadership matters.  

JUST Capital: 2 Key Ways CEOs Can Navigate Today’s Politically Fraught Environment

In this piece, Buttle and Ballou-Aares explained the important role CEOs play in making change and why business leaders should continue to take meaningful action on issues that are important to them.

1) CEOs can’t forget the role they play in today’s society. As trust in the government, media, and other institutions remains low worldwide, business leaders have emerged as relatively more trusted to be transparent and put the interests of their stakeholders first.

“People don’t feel that the government is responsive to their interests and needs and are looking for leadership elsewhere,” Buttle and Ballou-Aares said. “That’s part of why CEOs are in the hot seat.”  

2) Executives must get more comfortable speaking out. Media bias, cancel culture, and the challenge of navigating different stakeholders can make speaking out a difficult decision for CEOs. But Buttle and Ballou-Aares underscored that the American public wants to hear from its business leaders. 

“Business leaders should be confident that their voices matter and that the people they interact with – from employees to customers to communities – want to hear from them on critical issues,” they wrote. 

“Freedom of speech is fundamental to our democracy and our economic stability. Rather than standing down in the face of retaliation, companies have a vested interest in working together to uphold our democratic values.”

Learn more about the Business and Democracy Initiative and explore additional steps the Leadership Now Project recommends business leaders take to protect democracy.

Disney CEO Defends Corporate Freedom of Speech

As major national corporations increasingly come under political attack by state governments looking to prosecute culture war fights, a prominent CEO is pushing back.

“A company has a right to freedom of speech just like individuals do,” Disney CEO Bob Iger told shareholders earlier this month. Iger used his freedom of speech to call out Florida Gov. Ron De Santis for his retaliatory moves against the entertainment giant, calling him “anti-business and anti-Florida.” 

Disney is the state’s largest corporate employer and taxpayer and has been subjected to a series of escalating moves by the state government in response to Disney taking a public position on policy. Disney, which has been operating in Florida for 50 years, spoke out against a law that would restrict speech in schools on LGBTQ topics, the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law. The state of Florida in turn sought to restrict some of Disney’s power to control the land around and on which Disneyland sits.

Told of Iger’s comments, a spokesperson for the Florida governor promised to continue the state’s fight with the company, warning, “As Governor DeSantis recently said, ‘You ain’t seen nothing yet.’”

Iger’s actions are just the latest example of companies redefining what stakeholder capitalism looks like by taking bold steps to support issues that matter to workers, customers, the community, and others critical to long-term success. Tech giant Salesforce, for example, has sought to change the narrative around stakeholder capitalism by speaking out on voting rights issues. In this 2019 New York Times opinion piece, CEO Marc Benioff described why businesses and executives must value purpose alongside profit.

Daniella Ballou-Aares, CEO of the Leadership Now Project, spoke to The Hill about how CEOs are starting to respond proactively to political retribution. As the last few years have shown, businesses that remain silent in the face of attacks on free speech, ESG, and democracy only invite further abuses of power.

To learn more about stakeholder capitalism

and how other businesses are confronting their role in democracy, you can read Leadership Now’s Business Leader’s Guide to Democracy.

January 6th, ECA Reform and a Hopeful Start to 2023

On the second anniversary of January 6th, our CEO, Daniella Ballou-Aares, shared her thoughts on the state of our democracy and the year ahead. Read her article below and subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter here.

“Today, on the second anniversary of the January 6th insurrection, I want to share a few brief reflections on what this moment tells us about the state of American democracy. 

In short: As we start 2023, I am hopeful about the direction of America’s politics. The most hopeful I’ve been since 2016. The midterm elections proved that election denial is a losing proposition (as deniers lost high-profile races to pro-democracy candidates), critical referendums strengthened voting protections, election and campaign finance reforms continued to win over voters, and independent voters broke for the middle and political normalcy. 

And on December 23rd, Congress took another critical step — passing reforms to the Electoral Count Act. This puts in place key provisions to prevent another insurrection. It clarifies that the vice president’s role in counting electoral votes is purely ceremonial, raises the objection threshold from just one member in each chamber to 20 percent of Congress, and requires that Congress accept the lawful slates of electors for each state. Read more here.

The Leadership Now Project is proud to have joined the year-long effort to enact the legislation. In that time, Leadership Now members made the business case for protecting elections, engaged with numerous senators, made our support known in the press and in many on- and off-the-record convenings, and encouraged other business associations to sign on.

As we look to the year ahead, I am hopeful we can take steps to reinvigorate our system while remaining vigilant in responding to potential threats. January 6th reminds us that the risk of political violence persists. And my own memories of that day, when I lived only six blocks from the Capitol, are still surreal. Keeping my daughters playing in the basement while outside sirens blared. How, in the weeks that followed, a green zone was established that ended at my corner. Military vehicles patrolling the streets. They were the sort of scenes I’d observed working in emerging economies, not ones I had ever imagined seeing in my own country. 

Preventing another Jan 6th, and making our system more dynamic for the future, is why the Leadership Now Project exists. We hope you will join us in the year ahead in being hopeful, vigilant, and committed to building a stronger American democracy.”

New Research: How Are Business Leaders Engaging in Politics?

Tufts University Associate Professor of Political Science and Leadership Now member Dr. Eitan Hersh recently released findings from a new survey funded by Leadership Now that examines the changing partisan landscape of the business community and business leaders’ attitudes toward political engagement. On a call with our members, Dr. Hersh dove into the results and shared his thoughts. Here are some of the key findings:

Shifting Political Alignment

No matter their political preference, the majority of survey respondents believe US businesses have become more aligned with Democrats in the last decade. Executives say CEOs and employees have the most influence over corporate political alignment compared to other stakeholders such as customers or investors, and they believe CEOs and employees are causing the political realignment.

Policy Focus Areas

There is a widespread appetite among business leaders for companies to do more on most policy issues. The one exception is election administration policy — no matter their political affiliation, business leaders overwhelmingly disfavor companies becoming more involved in elections. Of the variety of social/policy issues companies can get engaged with, economic policy is the most popular. More engagement in environmental and social policy engagement was also of interest to business leaders, regardless of their political affiliation. There was near unanimous support from all respondents for companies encouraging people to vote as a strategy for civic engagement.

Corporate Political Activities

Most business leaders prefer political engagement in the form of “traditional elite methods”, such as advocacy through industry groups and executives meeting directly with lawmakers. Executives strongly disfavored turning away objectionable customers that disagreed with their own values; however younger executives in customer facing organizations/roles were much more likely to support dropping objectionable customers. About one-third of executives said that their companies regularly make political contributions and most executives believe that their companies should scale down their political contributions. Additionally, overall executives have concerns that increased company political activism would harm profitability, employee morale, and brand favorability; however, Democratic business leaders have a stronger preference for corporate activism than Republican business leaders.

In addition to the survey, Dr. Hersh conducted 30 hour-long one-to-one interviews with executives and was able to get a sense of the constraints the business leaders face, as well as the lack of awareness of what it would mean to be involved in lawmaking and policy efforts.

Dr. Hersh recently published an op-ed in The Atlantic with his thoughts on “political hobbyism — a performative form of civic engagement that has become the white-collar set’s preferred approach to public affairs.” He uses the example of companies that publicly stated they would not contribute to politicians who voted against certifying the 2020 election and then quietly went back to donating to them. He encourages business leaders to strategically get involved in long-term civic engagement, rather than take public stands but not hold themselves accountable.

Dr. Hersh plans to expand his research to include input from the general public and expects results in January 2023. We will be sure to share those findings once they are released.

How to Boost Your Brand Through Civic Engagement

With voter turnout in the 2022 midterm elections at the second highest level in more than 40 years, many businesses are seizing the opportunity to engage stakeholders and tie their brand to civic engagement.

A recent Inc. Magazine article lays out four ways companies can promote their brand during an election season:

1. Provide accurate and accessible voter information.

2. Make it easier for employees to vote by giving them paid time off.

3. Focus on one issue important to the company and its stakeholders.

4. Help voters get to the polls.

Our work was highlighted in the piece: ”One of the most commonly reported barriers of getting to the polls is getting time off from work, according to a report from Leadership Now Project, an organization formed by a group of Harvard Business School graduates who seek to improve governance.”

Read the full article: https://www.inc.com/xintian-tina-wang/midterm-election-2022-campaigns-brands.html

Political Violence and Election Denial are on the Ballot

A Midterm Message from Our CEO

As we approach a highly uncertain election, I’ll attempt to cut through the noise and share a few thoughts on what’s at stake, what is being done, and what you can do. 

But first – be sure to vote. November 8th is election day and many states have already started early voting. Encourage friends, colleagues, customers, and employees to participate. Find info on your polling place at vote.org.

What’s at stake in this election?

Political violence and election denial are on the ballot.

• The attack on Paul Pelosi is a warning sign. His attacker was fueled by online conspiracy theories. While Pelosi was recovering from surgery, Twitter’s new owner, Elon Musk, used his platform to spread disinformation about the violent incident.

• 60 percent of Americans will have an election denier on the ballot. This isn’t an isolated incident of disinformation. In many GOP primaries, election denialism is an essential requirement to win.

• Governor and Secretary of State races are key to future election legitimacy. These elections will determine if election denial becomes a governing philosophy in states from Arizona to Michigan and even New York. 

• Arizona is ground zero. Aggressive armed patrols of ballot boxes and pervasive doubts about election legitimacy are increasing the threat of election violence and risk deterring voters in Arizona. Unabashed election deniers are running for governor, secretary of state, and attorney general – and all have a solid chance of prevailing.

• While the risks are significant, turnout and engagement may be high, particularly among women. In battleground states, registration by women has surged. As I discussed on Morning Joe in October alongside Leadership Now member Tom Rogers, addressing the priorities of independent women will be critical.

How are business leaders responding to the threats?

Leaders unite from Michigan, Wisconsin, and beyond, but much more is needed.

• Wisconsin business leaders set clear democracy standards. A few weeks ago, bipartisan Leadership Now Wisconsin members gave a questionnaire to each candidate for Governor to confirm their commitment to certifying elections without bias. Only Governor Evers made that commitment; Michels didn’t respond. Watch what they had to say below and read about it here.

• Michigan business leaders support the Promote the Vote Ballot Initiative. The Detroit Regional Chamber and business leaders in the state endorsed the November ballot initiative, which protects access to voting and reduces the politicization of elections.

• The Electoral Count Act has a strong chance of passing in the lame-duck session, backed by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. Leadership Now and our members have endorsed reforming the ECA, as has the Partnership for New York City, Business Roundtable, and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM).

• We joined a massive response to the Supreme Court Moore v. Harper case that could give state legislatures unprecedented control over elections. Read Leadership Now's amicus brief. We joined more than 60 groups and individuals submitting amicus briefs last week, including former generals, state attorneys general, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the US solicitor general herself. Our brief uniquely makes the case that independent state legislatures would create substantial risks to businesses and markets through gerrymandering and election interference. Oral arguments for the case start on December 7.

What can you do?

Be prepared and vote.

1) First, be prepared not to know all of the results on Election Night. Several key states – including Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin – do not allow the counting of mail-in ballots until Election Day or the day before. Other states, including New York and California, can take days to tally mail-in ballots, which can be postmarked through Election Day. While much is uncertain, if history is a guide, it will likely be a night where Democrats lose more than they win (the party not occupying the White House usually does well in midterm elections). Election violence or refusal to accept results by local or even statewide election boards is possible, and lawsuits are almost guaranteed.

2) Vote early or make a plan to vote on Election Day. It may seem obvious, but it must be said. Encourage your family, friends, networks, and employees to act on their civic duty and make a voting plan.

3) Support candidates that meet the Principled Candidate standard and commit to free, fair, and secure elections. We've continued our practice, started in 2018, of highlighting a list of extraordinary, highly-qualified candidates for Congress.

4) No matter what happens in the election, the ECA and the Supreme Court Independent State Legislature case will be critical to the conduct of future elections. Make your voice heard by engaging your members of Congress or publicly speaking out on these and other democracy issues.

5) Read on to learn about our new State Democracy Report Card, and for the latest Leadership Now news and recommended reads.

Thanks again for your commitment and leadership.

Best,
Daniella

5 Articles about Democracy You Must Read Before the Midterms

At Leadership Now, we understand there is an influx of news from a wide variety of sources about democracy. Therefore, we regularly curate the latest, trustworthy information from our members, researchers, and media sources into this Democracy Digest.

Latest Democracy News

Why Business Leaders Should Take an Active Role in Preserving Democracy

At Fast Company’s Innovation Festival, execs from Edelman, the Leadership Now Project, and Seventh Generation discussed how leaders should weigh in on thorny social issues.

Former NFL Commissioner Stresses Need to Protect Democracy

"No outside adversary, no internal critic, no individual or institution, and no ideology—can be permitted to destroy or diminish our democracy," states former NFL commissioner and LNP member Paul Tagliabue in his recent Newsweek article.

Corporate America Has Embraced ‘Both Sides’ Political Spending - That Has to Stop

In this article, we make the business case and provide a pathway for updating political giving practices.

Independent Women Hold the Keys to Power in the Midterms

Women who don't identify as Republican or Democrat will make the greatest difference in key 2022 congressional race outcomes. LNP member Tom Rogers shares findings on their viewpoints from our recent survey in this article.

Wisconsin Business Execs praise Gov. Evers for Pledging to Accept Election Results

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel featured a new ad produced by Project Democracy PAC last week. Four Wisconsin business leaders, including members Anoop Prakash and John Florsheim, made the business case for why they support Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. The ad will run through election day. Our members Kahlil Byrd, Patrick McGinnis, and Minh-Thu Pham are directors of the PAC, which is endorsing a slate of democracy-focused candidates in the midterm elections.

A Little Something Extra…

We know that the seriousness of our current social and political environment can be draining; therefore, we also regularly highlight something of interest beyond the need-to-know updates. This week, we are featuring the Broadway revival of The 1776 Project. “This new 1776 means less to reanimate the nation’s founding than to talk back—or even down—to it,” writes Jane Kamensky, the Trumbull Professor of American History at Harvard.

Wisconsin Business Leaders Speak Out on the Importance of Democracy

Wisconsin LNP members John Florshiem and Sachin Shivaram recently released an op-ed urging business leaders to take action and protect American democracy. Florshiem is the president of Weyco Group and Shivaram is CEO of Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry. Below are highlights from the article.

• After the January 6, insurrection, businesses across the country overwhelmingly spoke out against the events, including implementing policies to prohibit providing funding election objectors.

• These actions played an important role in ensuring a peaceful transition of power.

• However, since the insurrection, threats to our democracy have continued. These threats have a direct impact on market stability and economic growth.

• Because they have a variety of stakeholders, businesses are put in the difficult position of deciding if and how to act when threats to democracy occur.

• Business leaders must use their collective voice to ensure political stability and adherence to the rule of law.

“We also know that the tempation to turn a blind eye — to believe this is not a problem of ours — is strong. But it is wrong.”

— John Florsheim & Sachin Shivaram

Read the full op-ed here.

Vote for Democracy at SXSW 2023

South by Southwest (SXSW), deemed “one of the largest and most influential gatherings on the planet'“, returns to Austin, TX March 10-19, 2023. Launched in 1997, SXSW has featured countless disruptive tech innovations, groundbreaking music and film, and influential keynotes, from Lady Gaga to President Obama. But what does this have to do with democracy? That depends on you!

You can play an integral part in shaping SXSW 2023 programming. Community voting is now open, and votes from the general public will make up 30% of the final programming decision. There are a number of panels in the running this year focused on democracy, public policy, civic engagement and social impact, many of which feature our very own LNP members. See below for the highlights and cast your vote by August 21!

Navigating the Current Political Climate

Description: Business leaders today face many challenges, including consumer and employee demands to respond to the headlines and today’s polarized political environment. We’ll share tools and case studies used by top crisis communication experts and hear from a diverse group of speakers. The workshop will introduce the origins of our political discontent and conclude with non-partisan actions businesses and individuals can take to address partisan discord and promote a strong democracy.

Speakers: Marjorie Clifton, Chief Communications Officer, Leadership Now Project; Rawi Abdelal, Herbert F. Johnson Professor of International Management at Harvard Business School and the Emma Bloomberg Co-Chair of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, Harvard Business School; Katherine Cousins, President, Sperry (plus Keds & PRO-Keds)

Can Innovation & Entrepreneurs Save Our Elections?

Description: Our democracy has been ravaged by a two-party system that leaves voters apathetic, or forced to choose between the lesser of two evils. Whether you’re concerned about the climate, privacy, inequality, or individual freedoms, solutions seem impossible when they’re caught up in dysfunctional partisan politics. It’s no wonder that a majority of eligible voters, including more than half of Millennials and Gen Z, say the major parties don’t represent them and they’re looking for systemic fixes to repair our election process. Join us for a frank conversation among community organizers and nonprofit leaders building or advocating for innovative tools for election reform. Learn how you can help change the rules and disrupt the current broken system, creating a brighter future for all!

Speakers: Todd Connor, CEO, Veterans for Political Innovation; Farhad Mohit, Founder, Good Party; Nathan Lockwood, Executive Director, Rank the Vote; Danielle Allen, Principle Investigator, Democratic Knowledge Project at Harvard University

Risk vs. Reward: When Bold Brands Take a Stand

Description: Your business is operating in an increasingly complex social and political environment where both action and inaction on hot topics like abortion, democracy, and equity pose real risks. But by approaching these issues with a strategic business lens, you can minimize the threats of employee dissatisfaction, consumer boycotts, investor pressure, and political retribution, while maximizing the opportunity to do good for people and the planet. This session gives you the proven frameworks, bold case studies, and access to the network of change agents needed to launch or enhance your corporate social impact efforts. Specifically, we’ll help you determine the “right” causes; launch meaningful philanthropic, political influence and communications programs; and measure your impact.
Speaker: Deirdre Walsh, CEO, IGC

Corporate Activism: Speaking Out and Taking Action

Description: Corporate social responsibility has become mainstream, ESG practices have reshaped business approaches, and, more recently, diversity, equity, and inclusion have become foundational efforts. Civic engagement is both a natural evolution of this trajectory and an urgent response to threats to democracy. Amalgamated Bank, Ben & Jerry’s and Patagonia serve as models for how businesses can use their platform to speak out for social justice and leverage their relationships (investors, customers, employees, board members, vendors, stakeholders) to have an impact on those issues.
Panelists will discuss how corporations have the opportunity, and responsibility, to join with other corporate and nonprofit leaders and other stakeholders in addressing social issues.

Speakers: Priscilla Sims Brown, President and CEO, Amalgamated Bank; Corley Kenna, Head of Communications and Policy, Patagonia; Christopher Miller, Head of Global Activism Strategy, Ben & Jerry's

The Future of American Democracy: What’s At Stake

Description: Under our current electoral rules, candidates are rewarded for extreme, anti-democratic views that put them in positions of power. Something must change, but what? The Electoral College, gerrymandering, zero-sum ballots and winner-take-all rules are all breaking our democracy and we deserve bold solutions. Congressman Jamie Raskin, Harvard’s Danielle Allen, and FairVote’s long-time CEO Rob Richie will discuss the problem and propose bold, yet viable solutions - from a comprehensive constitutional amendment to statutory changes like the Fair Representation Act, Ranked Choice Voting and the National Popular Vote plan. Attendees will hear Raskin’s powerful personal story, learn more about the challenges we face, and hear how to make powerful changes on the local, state and national level.

Speakers: Rob Richie, CEO and President, FairVote; Jamie Raskin, Congressman, House of Representatives; Danielle Allen, James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University/Director of Harvard’s Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, Harvard University

Postmortem: Voter Suppression & the 2022 Election

Description: In response to the massive turnout in 2020, some state legislatures passed aggressive voter suppression legislation that closed polling locations, shortened the window for early voting, and eliminated drop box locations. These bills in states like Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, and Ohio target black and brown communities, young people, and poor people so that voting will be more difficult in the 2022 midterms. Without national voting rights legislation, we are left to out-organize even more in red and purple states. Join our panel of voting rights experts and organizers for a conversation about how these voter suppression tactics impact ongoing elections and the 2022 midterms, and how we can all advocate for more fair elections to protect our democracy.

Speakers: Liz Walters, Chairwoman, The Ohio Democratic Party; Marcus Bass, Executive Director, Advance North Carolina; Jeremy Smith, CEO & Founder, Civitech; Kendra Cotton, Chief Operations Officer, New Georgia Project

The New Actionists: Brands Driving Social Impact

Description: The New Actionists is a discussion that will lead attendees through the dynamics of how brands are leveraging their own platforms, communities, data and technology to take stands and drive impact. Not five years ago, corporations stayed away from hot-button issues, encouraging employees to keep their politics at home. Today, more companies are compelled, even required, to pursue ESG platforms and take stands that matter to their employees, customers and mission. This discussion features organizational leaders who have had unique opportunities to pursue global-policy-shifting, triple-bottom-line outcomes, and even advocacy, as part and parcel of their day jobs.

Speakers: Bart Myers, Founder and CEO, Countable; Corley Kenna, Head of Communications and Policy, Patagonia; Rob Jekielek, Managing Director, The Harris Poll; Jennifer Warren, VP, Global Brand Marketing, Indeed

Participatory Democracy in the Age of Polarization

Description: We are living in an era of rampant polarization, disinformation, and institutional mistrust that has created unprecedented stakes for the future of democracy. We need solutions that bridge divides while furnishing new frameworks for resilient participatory governments. In this panel, we speak with the architects of America in One Room (A1R), a landmark democratic reform effort that has brought together record-setting samples of the American voting electorate to participate in respectful political discourse. Lauded by Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, A1R has radically reduced polarization and increased civic engagement among participants. This panel will explore the power of Deliberative Polling, the mechanism behind A1R, to catalyze democracy for the people, by the people.

Speakers: Henry Elkus, CEO and Founder, Elle Communications; Jim Fiskin, Director, Center for Deliberative Democracy; Alice Siu, Associate Director, Center for Deliberative Democracy 

2023: Democracy Is Worth The Fight

Description: We are at an inflection point in American democracy. As people demand more from their government and push for a vibrant and bold democracy, far-right movements that do not represent the majority of Americans have gained outsized political power in states, communities, and even at the Supreme Court, seeking to prevent positive change and reverse progress. What we do now will determine the future of people and democracy. While the playbook for this moment remains to be written, history provides a roadmap of how people have fought against long odds for democracy and won. This panel will feature a discussion about the fight for democracy’s future in the states-and the courts-in the face of the political realities of 2023 and the legacy of the late Rep. Barbara Jordan.

Speakers: President and CEO, Democracy Forward; Tayhlor Coleman, individual, individual; Shawn Thierry, Representative, Texas House of Representatives Elected Official

Imagineering American Democracy 2050

Description: Forget the 2022 elections or even 2024. How can we rethink American democracy to create a 21st century version that works well for the populous, diverse, multiracial country that we have become? The United States today is a gigantic country (only China and India have more people) and a highly heterogenous one at that. Unfortunately, our existing systems of electing those who represent us increasingly don't seem to do a very good job of producing people who actually represent us or our interests. Are there alternatives such as proportional representation or multi-member districts or top 4 primaries (or others) that would do better? And how do we get there when faced with an uninterested and often hostile political class, not to mention openly antagonistic courts?

Speakers: Michael Li, Senior Counsel, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law; Moon Duchin, Professor, Tufts University; Lee Drutman, Senior Fellow, New America; Todd Henricks, Data & Research Analyst, NAACP Legal Defense & Education Fund

How Our Democracy Impacts Our Health

Description: The American Medical Association recently affirmed Voting as a Social Determinant of Health. How did they get here and what does this mean? How can strengthening our democracy improve the health of our country? And how can doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals innovate within their roles to contribute to the foundations of trust in our political systems? Join to learn more.

Speaker: Aliya Bhatia, Executive Director, Vot-ER

Redefining Corporate Leadership to Meet the Moment

Description: The past few years have given rise to critical moments in our society that have birthed social movements. Corporations have very publicly committed themselves in those moments to furthering social progress. But how can companies successfully embed themselves in the work of doing good for the long-run, while moving from commitments to measurable impactful outcomes? Hear from a panel of experts about the opportunities and hurdles to advancing stakeholder-centric approaches that help companies maintain relevance and be a force for good, long-term.

Speakers: Ashley Marchand Orme, Director, Corporate Equity, JUST Capital; Lisa Osborne Ross, Chief Executive Officer, U.S., Edelman; Kelly McGinnis, Senior Vice President & Chief Communications Officer, Levi Strauss & Co.; Julia Boorstin, CNBC Senior Media & Technology Correspondent and Author of "When Women Lead", CNBC

Beyond Philanthropy: CSR in the Social Justice Era

Description: Gone are the days when companies could just cut a check to an executive’s favorite non-profit and check a box to say that they are “doing good.” In today’s complex social environment, employees, customers, investors, and other corporate stakeholders are more closely scrutinizing how companies give back to the community and address social issues. To make a true impact, companies must look at the issue they’re addressing holistically, and be willing to engage in an authentic, meaningful way with comprehensive programs, spanning internal policies, philanthropy, and public policy engagement. This session will provide you with the best practices on how to create a robust, meaningful, and defendable corporate social impact program.

Speaker: Jackie Padgett, COO, IGC

Entrepreneurship for Good: The New Competitive Edge

Description: The future economy isn’t just about quarterly profits. It’s centered on products and services that meet societal needs and contribute to the greater good. As businesses transform and new entrepreneurs emerge, they must prioritize issues like sustainability, responsible stewardship, and more equitable corporate structures. These are things that today’s consumers don’t just expect — they demand them. We must empower our youth with entrepreneurial skills to become leaders who solve complex problems that spark social change, creating value for shareholders, employees, and society. This new wave of entrepreneurs is crucial to a thriving economy.

Speakers: Stacey Ross Cohen, CEO, Co-Communications, inc; Marc Steren, Co Founder and Co-CEO, University Startups; Craig Vezina, Co Founder and Co-CEO, The Spaceship, President & Founder, The Z-17 Collective, The Spaceship; Z-17 Collective; Arooj Sheikh, CEO, Covo.io

Fast Company: American Democracy is Under Threat. Business Leaders Must Act to Ensure Safe and Fair Elections

Below is an op-ed by Daniella Ballou-Aares, David Clunie and Rhett Buttle published in Fast Company on June 6, 2022

The erosion of democracy is bad for business and the world, but everyone benefits when businesses step up to protect it.

The health and stability of American democracy are in the midst of serious threats, putting our elections and business environment at risk. The business community can take decisive action to support democracy and turn the tide.

America was downgraded from a “full” to a “flawed” democracy by the Economist Intelligence Unit in 2016, and multi-pronged threats are increasing the risk that we could face serious political instability in upcoming elections. Particularly concerning is the lack of faith in election outcomes: 32% of voters believe that the 2020 election was stolen, and politicians seeking to capitalize on this belief have introduced over 600 bills in 49 states targeting voting rights since 2020. And a major American political conference is being hosted in Budapest this year to celebrate and learn from Hungary’s autocratic prime minister, Viktor Orbán.

Political instability and the erosion of the protections that democracy offers can increase the cost of capital, stifle innovation, impact supply chains, and lead to declines in the rule of law that is foundational to the success of capitalism. Most recently, when companies like Walt Disney took public stances that ran counter to the views of the state’s elected leaders, they faced swift retaliation, echoing a pattern of political retribution against business that we’ve seen in states like Georgia and Texas. Political retribution is a tool of autocrats, not leaders of the world’s proudest democracy.

Business leaders understand the connection between a thriving democracy and economy. Forty-five of the 50 largest companies in the world were founded in democracies, and according to new data from a Morning Consult survey of over 2,500 business leaders and consumers, an incredible 96% of corporate leaders agree that a well functioning democracy is “important” to a strong economy.

Over half of business leaders surveyed say their companies are more likely than they were five years ago to take a public stance in favor of democracy, or to encourage employees to speak out themselves. Finally, the Morning Consult data show that over 80% of business leaders agree that companies should act to ensure safe and fair elections and protect democratic institutions.

This commitment to democratic engagement is evident across the business community. In the wake of the January 6 insurrection, over 120 of the nation’s largest companies halted political contributions to politicians who voted against certifying the 2020 election. Those members of Congress have lost 59% of their funding from corporate PACs (in 2021 vs. 2019) as a result. And over 450 American companies have withdrawn or suspended key operations in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

Everyone benefits when businesses step up to uphold democracy. For example, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 narrowed the wage gap between Black and white workers by up to six percentage points. When democracy is strong, communities build prosperity and businesses both fuel and reap the benefits.

It’s never been more clear that a strong economy requires a strong democracy. That’s why our three organizations have launched the Business & Democracy Initiative—to empower business leaders to collectively stand up for American democracy, rebuild trust in democratic institutions, and secure the next generation of stable and inclusive American prosperity.

The Business & Democracy Initiative has defined concrete actions business can take to uphold democracy. Business leaders can establish pro-democracy policies, such as giving employees time off to vote or work the polls and ensuring PAC contributions only go to recipients who demonstrate commitment to the democratic process. Businesses can advocate for federal and state democracy legislation, such as opposing measures that would make it harder for any eligible voter to cast their ballot. Corporate donation programs can also be expanded to include donations and in-kind resources for nonpartisan state elections infrastructure, from stress tests to tech upgrades and training.

Businesses depend on a functioning democracy in order to thrive, and face dramatic downside risk if the political system descends into polarization or even violence over contested election outcomes. Supporting a strong democracy is also a positive agenda for businesses and citizens to reinvigorate our social fabric, protect access to the franchise, counter polarization, and build institutions that secure our economy into the future.

Daniella Ballou-Aares is the CEO and cofounder of the Leadership Now Project; David Clunie is the executive director of the Black Economic Alliance; Rhett Buttle is the founder of Public Private Strategies.

Launch of the Business and Democracy Initiative

Leadership Now Project, in partnership with the Black Economic Alliance and Public Private Strategies, today announced the Business & Democracy Initiative to empower business leaders to collectively stand up for American democracy, rebuild trust in democratic institutions, and secure the next generation of stable and inclusive American prosperity.

Business leaders across the country are concerned about the health of our democracy. New research by Morning Consult on behalf of the Business & Democracy Initiative shows the business community wants to be active in protecting American democracy, and their customers will support them. The results show:

• 96% of business leaders say the existence of a well-functioning democracy is “important” to a strong economy.

• 80%+ of business leaders think that businesses should act to protect democracy and act to ensure safe and fair elections.

• 51%+ of business leaders say their business is more likely than they were five years ago to encourage employees to take a stance or speak out in support of democracy, or to take a public stance as a business.

• 64%+ of consumers say that a business with a public commitment to democracy shows the business cares about its customers, their employees, and has the right values.Tomorrow, the House Select Committee’s first public hearing will surface findings from the more than 1,000 interviews conducted in its months-long investigation of the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“The Business & Democracy Initiative will provide business leaders with the knowledge and platform to lead on the issues — from preventing election crises to expanding civic engagement — and secure a strong economy for the next generation,” said Daniella Ballou-Aares, CEO of the Leadership Now Project.

We encourage you to read and share the full announcement with your networks, and please let us know if you’re interested in getting involved. Thank you for your continued commitment to our democracy.

Beyond the Buzz: Business Leader's Guide to Democracy

From dark money to stakeholder capitalism, business leaders today are expected to know the terms and concepts being used in the civic space. Yet, when is the last time you learned about the difference between representative democracy and inclusive democracy? Probably a high school civics class, if you were lucky.

At Leadership Now, we worked with our nationwide network of business and thought leaders to create a guide to go beyond the buzz and help you understand the fundamentals of democratic systems, the basics of campaign finance, and common democracy threats like gerrymandering. We also provide insights on how businesses engage in politics and examples of innovations in democracy.

Have a question or proposed topic? Let us know! We update this guide frequently with feedback from leaders like you.

How to Bring Transparency to Corporate Political Spending

In April, Kevin Brennan, co-head of the Investment Engine and Director of Investment Systems at Bridgewater Associates, and Paige Warren, a longtime finance executive and current senior fellow at the Advanced Leadership Initiative at Harvard University, co-authored a memo outlining how ESG—a field that has traditionally focused on issues such as environmental degradation, diversity and racial equity, human rights, board structure, and executive compensation—intersects with corporate political spending. 

Our findings? Corporate political influence is a critical but overlooked driver of ESG impact.

The Leadership Now Project ESG Task Force has championed this work, spending the past several months interviewing investors and corporate executives and gathering data from resources such as OpenSecrets, InfluenceMap, and the Center for Political Accountability. This research has helped inform our thesis:

• Corporate political influence matters to ESG.

• Political spending is often an overlooked arena when it comes to ESG.

• CEOs are more likely to align corporate political spending and ESG priorities when they experience pressure from key influencers: investors, board members, and executives and employees, supported by media awareness.

At Leadership Now, we recommend leaders of U.S. public companies take a few critical actions to ensure corporate political spending is transparent, aligned with their ESG goals, and contributes to a stable political and economic environment. 

Read more in our new memo “ESG and Corporate Political Spending: Practical Actions For Business Leaders to Reduce Risk, Ensure Alignment, & Support A Stable Economic Environment” 

Since publishing the memo, Kevin and Paige are looking ahead to what comes next. After a year exploring the potential for the ESG investing wave to help strengthen US democracy, they identified an opportunity to focus on corporate political influence. They are now working on launching a new initiative called OpenBook that aims to create the norm for corporations to provide transparency and accountability for their political spending and influence activities. Look out for their interviews on our blog in the coming weeks. 

For more insights on ESG and Corporate Political Influence, visit our ESG learning center.

ESG & Political Risk: A New Leadership Imperative

Nearly every week seems to bring a new crisis for business leaders to navigate -- from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the Supreme Court’s leaked Roe v. Wade decision to Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ legislation to the acquisition of Twitter. With business remaining the most trusted voice in society, it’s more clear than ever that leaders need to be proactive about what their values are -- and what those values mean in the policy and political sphere.  

How does this relate to democracy and ESG? Increasingly investors and employees seek to understand how political spending aligns with a company’s ESG priorities and if that spending is creating unintended risks. For instance, companies like Airbnb and Microsoft decided that politicians who supported the Jan 6th insurrection were creating too great a political risk to America’s economy and democracy. They promptly pulled their political contributions, and a majority of companies continue to refrain from funding those political leaders. Similarly, companies en masse halted business activities in Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

As state legislators introduce bills impacting the LGBT community and abortion rights, the question of how a company responds will become more local. Executives will need to decide if this type of state legislation threatens their commitment to inclusion and equity as Yelp CEO Jeremy Stoppelman argued this week, and if they will stop supporting state legislators advancing those bills, many of whom receive substantial campaign funding from companies.

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Leadership Now launches new ESG memo

ESG and Corporate Political Spending: Practical Actions For Business Leaders to Reduce Risk, Ensure Alignment, & Support A Stable Economic Environment 

The memo, written by Kevin Brennan, co-head of the Investment Engine at Bridgewater Associates, and Paige Warren, a senior fellow at the Advanced Leadership Initiative at Harvard, highlights how political spending impacts ESG priorities and offers a roadmap for company leaders to proactively manage risks through greater transparency.  

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Companies can take several steps to proactively manage risk. The first is to make sure political spending is transparent. This is measurable -- it is currently tracked by the CPA-Zicklin Index -- and is a factor ESG investors can consider. Second, decision-makers need to be clear on what their corporate values and risks are -- whether it is climate change, election risks, or inclusion -- and understand if those priorities are reflected in the candidates and political organizations their company funds. In order to accomplish this, the authors provide practical guidance for company leaders on the integration of political spending data into ESG frameworks.

These are tricky times for all leaders to navigate. As the Disney case study illustrates, political risk requires proactive management, not reactive steps taken in the midst of a crisis.

At Leadership Now, we are excited to build upon this first memo and grow our ESG initiative. If you’re interested in getting involved or learning more, please reach out to Suraj Patel.

Article: When Should Business Take A Stand?

Not engaging in political, social and moral issues is no longer an option for companies. Leadership Now recently spoke with the Financial Times about the increasing pressure for business leaders to speak out on a range of issues from voting rights to climate change.