Auburn Advisors

Auburn Advisors regards the confluence of culture, the financial markets and politics. Our recommendations consider a comprehensive picture of the landscape in which you operate. In helping you build influence, there are likely multiple approaches. No one wins with only one play. The two men having a live streamed whine fest tonight are also aware of this. They know the global markets are awaiting indications on the strength of the US economy. And although a president has limited influence, a CEO of a multi-billion dollar company has significant influence. Tonight, they will disingenuously and misleadingly attempt to control the markets and the tenuous state of political affairs for personal gain. It's got me thinking of my grandpa. He got a kick out of my prepubescent confidence. I’d regale him with tales of bullies and injurious teachers unaccustomed to a mentally nimble Black child - it was the 80s. Sometimes I’d present a precarious circumstance, he'd chuckle, “your mouth's writing checks your ass can’t cash.” We should brace ourselves for an onslaught of checks for which their posteriors have insufficient funds tonight. Politics and the performance of global markets are linked. Presidents have always taken credit for strong markets; then declared their options limited when the economy struggles. The occupant of the White House has limited influence over the ups and downs of the financial markets. But the appointments of secretaries like Commerce and the chair of the Federal Reserve provide leverage over the markets. Power lies primarily with the Fed chair who’s responsible for setting interest rates. Although a president's selection for Fed chair may have philosophical alignment and a president may offer perspective during times of uncertainty, the Federal Reserve, including its chair, are independent of the president and political fickleness. ?? A president’s policies also offer indirect influence. Policies can signal which industries may benefit, potentially driving greater investment. Much of this speculation is happening right now.? ? The majority reading this post are unlikely to be persuaded. But the contributors to tonight’s conversation won’t be speaking to us. They are speaking to a very specific segment of the American economy in an effort to bring them back into the (done with democracy) fold. They should receive their boastfulness and pronouncements as self serving, and decline their checks for insufficient integrity. ????? There will be many memes, disinformation, and other outrageous claims tonight. They will be selfish; hopefully not too dangerous. As the participants employ the tools at their disposal to write a massive check they can’t cash, the most important takeaway is evident: Those with interests that go beyond personal gain should maintain a more expansive view of culture, the markets, and politics. Our communities, clients and consumers deserve the powerful combination of influence and integrity.

We are thrilled to announce the launch of Auburn Advisors, a political, philanthropic and business advisory firm providing strategy and solutions to overcome complex challenges. While today marks our official launch, we have been serving clients for nearly a year, including three incredible philanthropies seeking to answer the question: how could we be doing better? We love the vulnerability and openness of leaders posing this question. Auburn was built for exactly this purpose. To guide powerful and clarifying explorations that lead to understanding your next right move. It feels amazing to create something new.? We’re here because we saw a gap in the traditional approach to consulting. We avoid jargon, conventional wisdom, and strategy by volume. We say what we see, because people trust us for our thoughtfulness and candor. And we have found in working for leaders at all levels that nothing wastes time (and your resources) like simply saying what we know you want to hear. Auburn believes that intention is the foundation of success. We take time to understand your unique objectives and design an approach that leverages your strengths and our expertise to deliver a playbook and path forward. We believe in being deliberate so you can go further. It builds trust. It’s a better use of your time and resources. It’s more effective. It wins. We’ve put our hearts into creating a firm that would be instrumental in bringing about a country where thriving is the norm and surviving is a given. The “fierce urgency of now” is inherent to our work and in our name - Auburn Advisors. That’s why we’re eager to launch Auburn at this particular moment. This is a time to innovate and for industries to cross-collaborate in pursuit of sustainable solutions. Whether a foundation, commercial enterprise, an issue campaign or direct services nonprofit, now is the time to ask, “what is ours to do?” what do we do best?” Let’s all strengthen our commitment to those we serve. In less than 90 days, regardless of who wins or loses on Election Day, the country will experience a profound change. As optimistic as we are about the future, we believe there is even more work to do if our friends are in power. Over the next several weeks, as we’re doing our part to ensure the security of our freedom and democracy, we also want to hear from you. How can Auburn help you plan for the changes ahead? What can we help you do better? What big challenge, whether internal or external, can we help you solve? What could we create together? There’s a lot happening in America and throughout the world. As much as we are concerned, we’re excited to lead Auburn Advisors at a time when there are so many willing to partner to do great things. Let’s continue the conversation. We’d be honored to work with you.???

Today, as the Civil Rights Act turns 60, we can’t help but reflect on how it happened. Not just the marches, meetings, and bill signing, but also that Dr. King breached a gaping hole in America’s power structure. He didn’t just challenge discrimination laws; he challenged elected office holders, including two presidents whose powers were protected by those laws. It is hard to imagine that approach in today’s world where the modern consulting class so often works, undoubtedly without intention, to the detriment of bold vision and calculated risk. As King biographer, Jonathan Eig wrote in the New York Times last year, “Americans prefer a version of history in which most decent people did the right thing in the end.” But as is now well documented, the idea of federal civil rights policy was forced onto Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson and others in Washington who did not believe it was an idea whose time had, or should, come. Imagine the rooms where it happened; King, Rustin and so many others negotiated among themselves the ways to persist without becoming arrested in concern over their access to the Oval Office. They knew it was a tool, not the prize. They did not have to maintain status at the White House. Even as they represented a political thorn, King knew that his movement was marshaling the attention and energy of the people to keep a standing invitation. Consultants to movements have a responsibility to counsel in service of the mission, and to discard the notion that the business imperative is to maintain their own standing. We cannot sell our services by professing commitment to missions and recommend lukewarm strategies and tactics that stall and undermine them. So much depends on our ability to help leaders define achievable, bold missions; clarify goals; decide upon the next right move; and then act, learn and refine. Yes, our relationships matter, but there is no business development strategy quite like winning.