APCO

Fintech is at a turning point as technological innovation, regulatory shifts and national strategies converge to reshape the global financial landscape. In his reflection on DC Fintech Week 2025, Jeffrey Zelkowitz, APCO's global financial lead, explores the challenge: How do we unlock the full potential of borderless technology in a fragmented world?   Jeff emphasizes how collaboration, interoperability and public trust are essential to unlocking the promise of digital assets and next-generation financial infrastructure. The decisions made now will drive economic empowerment, inclusion and resilience for years to come. Read more for key insights on the future of finance: https://lnkd.in/ekeyyJD5 #DCFintechWeek #Fintech #Blockchain #DigitalAssets #UncommonGround

At DC Fintech Week, Mannar N. Hanna, senior director at APCO, joined a panel to discuss the ongoing challenges facing crypto regulation in the U.S.    As featured in CoinDesk, Mannar shared insights on the Senate’s slow progress and suggested that comprehensive market structure legislation may be delayed until next year, given Congress’ busy schedule. Upcoming meetings between leading crypto CEOs and Senate Democrats are also spotlighted, underscoring the sector’s momentum.   Explore more on the current state of crypto legislation and Mannar’s perspectives here: https://lnkd.in/gZ3paVdQ   #DCFintechWeek #CryptoRegulation #Fintech #PublicAffairs

Tina-Marie A. Adams, executive director of corporate reputation at APCO, recently spoke with Forbes about the rising importance of political risk management for companies worldwide.   In today’s environment, companies must treat political risk as a fundamental part of their strategy.   "Political risk is no longer a peripheral concern; it’s a core business discipline. No company is immune from it,” says Adams.   Embedding political risk analysis and scenario planning into enterprise risk management is now essential for organizations to proactively address vulnerabilities and respond quickly to disruption.   Learn more about how leading companies are adapting to today’s evolving risk landscape: https://lnkd.in/dTa_RmdQ   #RiskManagement #UncommonGround #CorporateReputation #Geopolitics

For decades, organizations managed perceptions through traditional channels and trusted relationships. Now, social media and AI-generated summaries rapidly shape what stakeholders believe—often without verification.   Reputation strategy and analytics experts Katie Sprehe, Natacha Clavell (she/her) and Rotem Hinkis break down the three dimensions organizations must monitor: stakeholder sentiment, digital conversations and the “truths” synthesized by large language models. Integrating all three is key to building resilient reputations in a changing landscape.   Explore actionable strategies for this new era here: https://lnkd.in/guAqHhZB #ReputationManagement #AI #Perception #UncommonGround

This week, APCO was honored to host and participate in a series of significant events across the world, including:   • North America: DC Fintech Week, International Monetary Fund World Bank Annual Meetings, Fortune Most Powerful Women’s Summit and TECH WEEK by a16z • Europe: World Health Summit in Berlin • MENA: GITEX GLOBAL Largest Tech & Startup Show in the World in Dubai   From shaping the dialogue on digital finance and economic resilience, to advancing conversations around health innovation and technology’s evolving role in society, our colleagues engaged with leaders, experts and changemakers, driving progress in every sector.   Thank you to all partners, speakers and attendees who made these events impactful.   #FortuneMPW #DCFintechWeek #LATechWeek #GITEXGlobal #WHS2025

APCO hosted panel discussion in conjunction with LA Tech Week titled "Navigating DC: How LA Defense Tech Startups Can Shape the Future of National Security."   Moderated by Ken Nasshan, APCO IAC member and defense communications and advocacy expert, the panel included Andy Markoff, co-founder and CEO of Smack Technologies Inc., Forrest Underwood, venture partner at IronGate Capital Advisors and Air Force Reservist and Dan Scandling, senior director at APCO.   The event featured a wide-ranging conversation on the evolving intersection of technology, innovation and defense — from the shift toward commercial sourcing, rapid prototyping and connected warfare, to the importance of building coalitions and the balance between AI, automation and economic impact.   Thank you to our panelists and attendees for contributing to such a dynamic discussion on how LA’s defense tech startups are shaping the future of national security.   #LATechWeek #defensetech #buildinguncommonground

Today, APCO hosted a breakfast conversation with Congressman French Hill (R-AR), chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services, and Lila Nieves-Lee, head of federal at Visa, for an engaging discussion on fintech and crypto policy and innovation.   As part of DC Fintech Week, this event brought together senior leaders across the industry to explore the evolving policy landscape and its impact on innovation and regulation in the financial sector.   Thank you to our distinguished speakers for sharing their insights on the future of fintech and digital assets and to our guests for contributing to this enlightening event.   #Fintech #Crypto #Policy #Innovation #DCFintechWeek #buildinguncommonground 

As part of DC Fintech Week, Mannar N. Hanna, senior director at APCO, joined Emily Wilkins, Washington correspondent at CNBC, Brent McIntosh, chief legal officer and corporate secretary at Citi and Caitlin Long, founder and CEO of Custodia Bank, for a panel titled “From Banks to Blocks: Unbundling the Next Five Years of Finance.” This dynamic discussion brought together industry leaders to examine how the evolution of traditional finance alongside blockchain technology is reshaping the future of financial infrastructure and policy. Drawing on his experience as former general counsel to Senator Tim Scott, Mannar emphasized a critical takeaway for fintech leaders: “Don’t assume policymakers or Hill staffers know anything about crypto or fintech.” He noted that a considerable gap remains in policymakers’ understanding of emerging technologies, and strengthening this knowledge is key to building trust, enabling responsible growth and supporting a resilient financial ecosystem. Mannar encouraged industry leaders and stakeholders to take an active role in collaborating with policymakers and regulators, highlighting that ongoing engagement and education are essential for developing effective, forward-looking policy. #DCFintechWeek #Fintech #Blockchain #Innovation #Leadership #buildinguncommonground

APCO was proud to be on the ground in Berlin this week for the World Health Summit 2025, held under the theme “Taking Responsibility for Health in a Fragmenting World.” As a partner, APCO is honored to continue support this leading global platform where stakeholders from across regions and sectors come together to address the most pressing challenges in global health. With over 4,000 participants on site and more than 40,000 joining online, the Summit reaffirmed its role as a cornerstone for global health dialogue, collaboration, and action. As part of the engagement, APCO hosted two high-impact side events: • Filling the Gaps: The Role of the Private Sector and Philanthropy in Reimagining Health Infrastructure and Financing This roundtable, chaired by Paolo Compostella, convened influential voices from global health institutions, industry and multilateral organizations to explore how cross-sector collaboration can drive innovation and equity in health systems. We where thrilled to have The Pandemic Fund, Siemens Healthineers, the UNITE Parliamentarians Network for Global Health, Africa CDC, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and WHO Foundation as scene-setters creating the foundation for a fruitful discussion. • APCO Geopolitical Foresight Scenario Workshop: Health Sector Resilience in 2035 Jointly with leaders and experts from the pharmaceutical sector and the health care ecosystem, this interactive session, moderated by Mathew Shearman, examined how growing geopolitical instability is challenging the health sector’s ability to operate across borders to develop, manufacture and deliver products to where they are needed most. A heartfelt thank you to the World Health Summit team for their continued partnership and for creating a space where global health leaders can connect, collaborate, and drive impact. Our delegation at WHS is grateful for the inspiring exchanges - we leave energized by the momentum and proud to have contributed to this vital dialogue: Paolo Compostella, Mathew Shearman, Jean de La Rochebrochard, Rosh Marius Singh, Isabel Kassabian, Isabel Hoffmann-Ludwig, Valeria Rubello, Christoph Mielke, Veronika Croy #WorldHealthSummit #TakingResponsibility #PublicPrivatePartnerships #WHS2025 #buildinguncommonground #globalhealth #healthcare