Former Democratic operatives including Kamala Harris campaign aides start consulting firm to help CEOs navigate 'woke capitalism' and avoid getting 'cancelled'

 A new consulting firm launched Monday made up of Democratic campaign veterans led by a top aide in Kamala Harris's 2020 presidential campaign is on a mission to help CEOs navigate the pitfalls of 'woke capitalism.'

C Street Advisory Group was started by Jon Henes, who served as national finance chair for now-Vice President Harris during her For The People campaign. He's also a 20-year veteran of law firm Kirkland & Ellis. 

Henes served as finance co-chair for two other failed candidates, according to Linkedin: businessman Ray McGuire's bid for New York City mayor and Jaime Harrison's campaign to unseat South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham.

The firm will provide advice to C-suites and boards of directors on corporate governance, diversity, equity and inclusion among other issues. 

It's aimed at coaching CEOs and businesses to avoid getting 'cancelled' as shifting societal and cultural norms have shifted public focus to how large businesses reflect and market their values. 

Consumers today look for brands to align with their beliefs, and coupled with the increased transparency forced by social media, many businesses are pressured to take a stance on hot-button issues. 

Vice President Kamala Harris
Jon Henes, who served on then-Senator Kamala Harris's 2020 presidential campaign as a national campaign finance chair, started C Street Advisory Group aimed at helping businesses navigate 'woke capitalism'

Jon Henes, who served on then-Senator Kamala Harris's 2020 presidential campaign as a national campaign finance chair, started C Street Advisory Group aimed at helping businesses navigate 'woke capitalism'

The company's website says it prepares leaders for issues of today as well as 'how to be prepared for future social movements'

The company's website says it prepares leaders for issues of today as well as 'how to be prepared for future social movements'

Companies like Nike and the NBA have faced both backlash and praise over their stances on controversial social and political issues like voting access and police violence. 

More than 110 businesses including Amazon, Heineken and Microsoft publicly signed onto a net zero carbon climate pledge as more and more people across the world see it as the dominant crisis facing the globe. 

The company's website says it prepares leaders for issues of today as well as 'how to be prepared for future social movements.'

Other new C Street additions close to Harris include Minyon Moore, who is one of the vice president's biggest allies and served as a political director under former President Bill Clinton. Moore is now on the group's advisory board.


Melissa Prober, who served on Harris' national finance committee alongside new boss Henes, is C Street's new general counsel and head of crisis advisory.

Prober also worked in Clinton's White House Counsel's Office. According to her C Street bio, Prober was part of a team that defended Clinton during his impeachment proceedings.

Brian Mathis is another Clinton administration veteran, having served in the former president's Treasury. He's now a C Street senior adviser, according to Axios.

Michael Bloomberg campaign aide Lily Patricof is C Street's talent advisory director.

Patricof was a National Associate on the Committee for Mike, part of his 2020 campaign, according to the company's website.

Minyon Moore is one of Harris's closest confidantes and served as Deputy Director of Political Affairs in the Clinton White House

Minyon Moore is one of Harris's closest confidantes and served as Deputy Director of Political Affairs in the Clinton White House

President Clinton walks down the steps of the Old Executive Office Building with Communications Director Ann Lewis, second from right, Public Liason Director Minyon Moore, right, and Lynn Cutler, at left, following a meeting in Washington Sunday, September 13, 1998

President Clinton walks down the steps of the Old Executive Office Building with Communications Director Ann Lewis, second from right, Public Liason Director Minyon Moore, right, and Lynn Cutler, at left, following a meeting in Washington Sunday, September 13, 1998

Former Hillary Clinton senior aide Lisa Hernandez Gioia is managingexternal affairs and head communications for the group. Gioia worked for Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign as deputy national finance director.

After President Joe Biden chose Harris to be his running mate, Gioia lauded her as a 'fundraiser's dream,' adding she provided 'star power that will be like an afternoon shot of espresso to the campaign's fundraising' at the time in an interview with Spectrum News.

The consulting company's chief, Henes, said being aware of diversity and inclusion is beneficial to business growth today.

'Young people know the difference between genuine change and window dressing,' Henes told Axios. 'You have to understand your own organization and make real, systemic changes.' 

'Change can be scary, and in today's world fear can lead to inertia... But, inclusive leadership and inclusive change will lead to incredibly valuable, value-driven organizations.' 

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