Safiya Ghori-Ahmad Joins APCO to Lead Global Public Affairs in Washington, Bolster Geopolitical Advisory Capability

Washington – January 11, 2024: Safiya Ghori-Ahmad, a global strategic advisor with experience advising C-suite executives and government leaders on political, regulatory and geopolitical outcomes, joined APCO Worldwide as the global public affairs lead in Washington, D.C.  Her appointment brings additional strength to APCO’s trailblazing Geo-Commerce offer, which guides clients through geopolitical uncertainty in the global operating environment.

Prior to joining APCO, Ghori-Ahmad served as a senior managing director at McLarty Associates, where she advised global investors and multinational companies on government affairs and go-to-market strategies—maintaining a broad range of commercial and government contacts globally. Ghori-Ahmad spent almost a decade in government, and previously served on the staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, covering South Asia—specializing in elections, political risk and economic issues. She also served in the State Department as an advisor on Pakistan and Afghanistan in the Office of the Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP) under Secretaries Clinton and Kerry.

“In an increasingly interconnected global operating environment, corporate leaders must navigate dynamics in multiple markets to be successful, and understanding the complex nuances of global and regional geopolitical and business issues is essential to seamlessly navigate markets and capture business-critical opportunities,” APCO CEO Brad Staples said. “With a command of the intricate relationships at the intersection of government and business in Washington, D.C., and key markets, Safiya is a trusted leader, connecting markets and opportunities around the world. Her experience and insight further augments APCO’s global network and market-leading ability to help clients in multiple geographies simultaneously.”

“Safiya has extensive experience and deep knowledge on critical regulatory and policy issues around the world—with a focus on South Asia—and C-suite executives and high-level government leaders have relied on her sage counsel to make impactful decisions,” Courtney Crowder, North America managing director and chair of advocacy and managing director of APCO’s Washington, D.C., and Raleigh offices, said. “I sincerely welcome Safiya to APCO and look forward to working with her to help clients better understand geopolitical risks and opportunities around the world to support their growth.”

Industry leaders and international organizations rely on APCO’s robust team of geopolitical, public affairs and government relations experts to anticipate and respond to complex and ever-changing regulatory and policy issues. With an established network of key relationships with decision-makers in business and policy hubs around the world—from Washington, London, Brussels and Beijing to Dubai, Mumbai, New Delhi and across dozens of other global markets where APCO operates—APCO’s global team is a trusted advisor and partner to businesses, governments, associations and non-profit organizations worldwide.

Governments around the world are increasingly using multinational businesses as tools of statecraft in pursuing their own interests, often entangling multinationals in their conflicts with foreign and domestic rivals. With an election-packed year ahead, businesses need to be particularly proactive in managing their global and geopolitical positions. APCO’s Geo-Commerce Solutions—a set of strategic advisory tools to support clients as they navigate these asymmetric risks and respond coherently to competing national interests and political agendas—combines privileged global insights born from decades of experience working at the intersection of international business, government and public opinion, with on-the-ground knowledge and executional capabilities to help clients maintain commercial viability and remain true to their core values.

Ghori-Ahmad will work with key members of APCO’s public affairs, government relations and geo-commerce teams, including:

• Tim Roemer, former member of Congress and U.S. ambassador to India;
• Rahul Sharma, managing director of APCO in India;
• Yash Kansal, deputy managing director of APCO in India;
• Teresa Lu, managing director of APCO’s Global China practice;
• Dan Scandling, North America government relations lead;
• James Robinson, executive director for the firm’s Geo-Commerce practice;
• Mohamed Bahaa, managing director of public affairs for the MENA region;
• James McGregor, chairman of greater China region;
• Roi Feder, head of APCO’s Global Solutions division;
• T. McCrimmon, head of government affairs for APCO South;
• Brandon Neal, senior director and political strategist;
• Nina Verghese, head of state campaigns and advocacy; and
• Theo Moore, Europe public affairs lead and managing director of APCO’s Brussels office.