AJ Jones II

Serve as Executive Vice President, Chief Strategic and Corporate Communications Officer at Monumental Sports and Entertainment (MSE) Company reporting to the Chairman and CEO. In this role, I am responsible for the development, execution and amplification of MSE’s brand and corporate narratives. Additionally, I oversees MSE’s corporate stakeholder engagement strategies; and the advancement of MSE's corporate growth initiatives and implementation of its business objectives across the company's media-entertainment platforms (District E, Caps Gaming, and Wizards District Gaming), sports teams (Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals, Washington Mystics, Capital City Go-Go, Team Liquid, and Hershey Bears), professional sports leagues (National Basketball Association, National Hockey League, and Women's National Basketball Association), Capital One Arena and other entertainment venues, Monumental Sports Network which is distributed on linear television and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, and the Monumental Foundation. I also oversee all consumer, fan, employee, media-entertainment, and brand-experiences, corporate marketing, as well as financial communications and investor relations.

Serve as a Standing Guest Lecturer for the Harvard School of Medicine, School of Public Health, and School of Public Health Executive and Continuing Professional Education. Lecture widely on economic/finance policy, corporate governance, healthcare quality, philanthropy, disaster preparedness policy, international relations, strategic advocacy, executive leadership, and business acumen.

Assumed a new and expanded role and served as the Executive Vice President, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) and report to the CEO. I led the company's global government affairs and public policy divisions, as well as Community Impact, Social Impact, Starbucks Foundation and Starbucks Alumni functions worldwide. Additionally, I helped lead advance our continued expansion in international and emerging markets through public-private partnerships and government-focused initiatives. Furthermore, I served as the lead executive for our Board of Directors Environmental, Partner and Community Impact Committee which governs the company's work globally and investor engagement, Finally, I was a governing member of our Global Brand Council, co-chair our International Risk and Resilience Organizing Committee, and executive sponsor of our Armed Forces Partner Network.

Promoted to serve as the Executive Vice President, Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer at Starbucks Coffee Company and reported directly to the CEO. I led the company's global communications, brand communications, retail communications, corporate communications, partner (employee) communications, Starbucks Stories, coffee and social impact storytelling, public policy, government affairs and entertainment divisions worldwide. As an Executive Leadership Team member, I work to advance the company's global “Growth at Scale” agenda.

Promoted to serve as Acting Chief Communications Officer and Executive Vice President of Public Affairs at Starbucks and reported directly to the CEO. I led the company's global communications, brand communications, retail communications, corporate communications, partner (employee) communications, Starbucks Stories, public policy, government affairs and entertainment divisions worldwide.

Served as the Senior Vice President for Global Communications and Public Affairs at Starbucks. I led the company's global communications, brand communications, retail communications, corporate communications, partner (employee) communications, Starbucks Stories, integrated marketing, and entertainment divisions.

- Served as Chief Corporate Affairs and Communications Officer for Vanda Pharmaceuticals and as an executive member of the company’s corporate business development & licensing review committee. - Served as the lead interface between Vanda and the investment community with the goal of building shareholder value, attracting new investors, and strategically positioning the company with (sell-side and buy-side) analysts, traditional and sustainability investors, and other stakeholders. – Oversaw all investor relations and analytics, communications and corporate brand marketing, government relations, sustainability, public policy, and advocacy functions. – Reported directly to the President and CEO. – Oversaw the development of immediate/long-term strategic communications goals, corporate brand marketing goals, and priorities to advance the company’s mission. – Led the development of employee engagement strategies/programs for domestic and international employees. – Led the identification, development, and maintenance of strategic public-private-partnerships to advance the company’s vision and business objectives. – Led in the cultivation and maintenance of relationships with senior editors and journalists on behalf of the company to drive future coverage and positioning Vanda as a respected go-to-resource. – Led the development and management of the department’s P&L. – Led and develop an effective and efficient team.

Promoted to serve as Head of BCW’s Global Public Affairs offering and Public Affairs and Crisis practice. The Public Affairs and Crisis practice (PAC) is the largest globally in the BCW. Reported directly to the President/CEO and aligned business investments and staffing with the overall strategic vision and goals of BCW. – Responsible for domestic and international client strategy as it relates to: reputation management, crisis communications, corporate affairs (including marketing and media relations), content distribution, technology deployment (Artificial Intelligence), government relations, public policy, entertainment-celebrity brand initiatives, and social impact initiatives. – Directed all business efforts of internal teams within PAC to deliver strategic communications, social/digital media strategies, and public policy/public affairs engagements to government, corporate, and NGO audiences. – Deployed financial accountability frameworks to streamline business objectives for clients and business operations. – Responsible for managing the PAC’s P&L (approximately $481 million) with an acute focus on the Cost of Services (COS) and profitability. – Increased revenue by 31% and new client bookings by 43%. – Served in a global spokesperson and/or strategic advisory role for c-suite executives, providing guidance on sales engagements and go-to-market initiatives with (B2G), (B2C), and (B2B) stakeholders. – Oversaw the PAC’s multi-million communications and public relations contract for the 2020 Census.

Served as Chairman for BCW’s Corporate & Financial Services practice within North America and led the BCW’s Washington, DC market, which includes public affairs, public policy, and crisis. The Corporate & Financial Services practice (CFSP) is the second largest in BCW, and the DC Market (DCM) is the second-largest market. Reported directly to the President/CEO and aligned business investments and staffing with the overall strategic vision and goals of BCW. – Responsible for business initiatives related to corporate communications, crisis and litigation communications, financial communications, public policy, and all communications platforms, such as: marketing/advertising, brand positioning, technology, thought-leadership, sustainability, and entertainment-celebrity brand initiatives with domestic and international clients. – Directed all business efforts of internal teams within CFSP to deliver strategic communications, social/digital media strategies, and public policy/public affairs engagements to government, corporate, and NGO audiences. – Deployed financial accountability frameworks to streamline business objectives for clients and business operations. – Successfully managed the CFSP’s and DCM’s P&L (approximately $320million) with an acute focus on the Cost of Services (COS) and profitability. – Increased revenue by 47% and new client bookings by 31%. – Oversaw all staff and operations across the enterprise, and provided leadership and direction throughout North American. – Served in a global spokesperson and/or strategic advisory role for c-suite executives, providing guidance on sales engagements and go-to-market initiatives with (B2G), (B2C), and (B2B) stakeholders.

As Chief Policy and Communications Officer, I directed domestic and international teams' on all strategic communications, social/digital media strategies, multi-media/entertainment initiatives, marketing and public policy engagements with governments, corporations, community stakeholders and NGO audiences. Served as a senior member of the executive leadership team, officer of the Foundation and reported to the CEO. – Oversaw ~$420 million in structured investments and the successful launch of 37 social enterprises. – Established the celebrity entertainment division and directed its multi-million dollar portfolio. – Led strategic philanthropic engagements with a broad and deep array of multilateral institutions, investment agencies, corporations, technology partnerships, philanthropic organizations, and government bodies. – As Chief of Staff and Senior Policy Advisor, fulfilled a critical role leading initiatives to transform and position the Foundation as a key influencer and thought leader on children’s issues by fostering strong connections with domestic and international decision-makers. Reported directly to the President/CEO and aligned investments with the overall strategic vision and goals of the Foundation. – Drove accountability for the performance and success of all staff and operations across the enterprise, while providing leadership and direction to public policy, internal and external communications, foundation brand positioning and multi-media/entertainment partnerships around the world. – Developed and strengthened public-private partnerships with organizations and corporations. – Served as the Foundation’s primary point of contact to facilitate partnerships with multilateral institutions, global and domestic investment agencies, corporations, public-private philanthropic organizations and governments. – Oversaw the Foundation’s multi-million dollar policy portfolio.

Oversaw all global government affairs and led brand positioning in sub-markets for the company. Built and managed worldwide teams dedicated to supporting both commercial and non-commercial business on their go-to-market initiatives. – Built diverse domestic and international team structures while establishing strong relationships with business-to-government (B2G), business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) stakeholders that drove market access and innovation across business verticals. – Managed Gilead’s worldwide government affairs and public affairs budget and emerging market P&Ls for government affairs. – Credited with constructing and bolstering the company’s brand and reputation among domestic community partners and international nonprofit organizations through a series of public-private-partnerships, social/digital media strategies, and entertainment/educational engagements. – Traveled and worked extensively as a global brand ambassador for the company, and developed collaborations with biotechnology leaders, healthcare professionals, industry association partners, media outlets and government leaders. – Credited with safeguarding and promoting the company’s ethical business practices and access programs. – Established new regulatory and taxation frameworks to advance the commercial business worldwide.

Successfully served as a C-suite executive in the role of Healthcare Practice Chairman at the largest independent strategic communication and government relations firm in Washington DC. Represented the interests of Fortune 500 clients that included: Novartis, Amgen, Gilead Sciences, DaVita, Entergy Corporation, BP, Covidien, EMD Serono, NBCUniversal, Independent Film & Television Alliance, Genzyme, Oracle, US Foods, Walmart, National Confectioners Association, National Museum of American Jewish History, Nestle SA, Diageo PLC, Organic Trade Association, National Association of Broadcasters, Google, China-US Exchange Foundation, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Quest Diagnostics, and quick-service restaurants (QSR)/fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies. Drove over $20 million in new annual revenue and managed a team of professional staff members. Provided targeted deal-flow/sales support for clients contracting with the government. – Led successful go-to-market initiatives securing governmental health services contracts for multiple clients totaling approximately $21billion. – Led strategic communications, thought-leadership and brand positioning for clients conducting business with international embassies, US Government, multilateral institutions and sub-markets. – Successfully managed the practice’s P&L with an acute focus on Cost of Services (COS). – Co-led efforts to address multi-media/entertainment mergers and acquisitions. – Advised and directed digital-social media strategies for clients’ brands and products.

Successfully served as a senior executive in the role of Co-Lead of Healthcare, Technology/Multi-media, and Financial Services practices, and advanced the business interests of Fortune 500 clients that included: NBCUniversal, SunEdison Inc, Entergy Corporation, BP, Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy, Duke Energy, Golden Pass Products, Reed Elsevier Group, Fulcrum BioEnergy, Trafigura Ltd, Lockheed Martin, US Foods, Yum Brands, National Confectioners Association, SPIE International Society for Optics & Photonics, Walmart, Nestle SA, Diageo PLC, Organic Trade Association, National Association of Broadcasters, General Motors, T-Mobile, TE Connectivity, Business Roundtable, Canadian Pension and Investment Board, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Credit Suisse, Zurich Financial Services, General Dynamics, and quick-service restaurants (QSR)/fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies. – Successfully managed the practices’ P&L with an acute focus on Cost of Services (COS). – Served in a global spokesperson and/or strategic advisory role for c-suite executives; providing guidance on sales engagements and go-to-market initiatives with (B2G), (B2C) and (B2B) stakeholders on: the usage/leveraging of predictive analytic solutions to improve financial transactions, programmatic integrity of government services, Internet Of Things (IOT) regulatory compliance and e-commerce platforms, and IaaS/SaaS/PaaS protocols.

Successfully served as a senior executive in the role of Principal and Corporate Executive Consultant. Provided strategic communication, investor relations, and advisory services to a diverse roster of Fortune 500 companies, start-ups/portfolio held companies, national non-profit organizations, and global foundations, such as: Caesars Entertainment, Harrah's Entertainment, NBCUniversal, Google, W. K. Kellogg Foundation, Professional Golfers' Association of America (PGA of America), Club Managers of America Association, Alfred Mann Foundation, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board, TE Connectivity, Business Roundtable, Textron, Oracle, and quick-service restaurants (QSR)/fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies. Leveraged extensive government and multilateral experience to provide input and guidance on brand positioning, global economic public policy, public health/healthcare marketplace, capital markets and monetary policy, pension regulation, patent reform, corporate taxation, legislative/regulatory process, budgetary policy, geopolitical affairs and intergovernmental issues. – Successfully managed the practice’s P&L with an acute focus on Cost of Services (COS). – Produced $8.7million in new cumulative revenue before being promoted after one year. – Advised and directed multi-media campaigns for national non-profit coalitions on Census related issues.

Served as spokesperson, lead policy advisor, and liaison supporting the Majority Whip, with oversight of a team of policy advisors. Provided subject matter expertise to craft policies on economic, financial services, IP, immigration, homeland security, public health/healthcare, global relations, taxation, entertainment/telecommunications, and intergovernmental issues. – Personally responsible for the development and passage of over 214 pieces of legislation, with 142 becoming law. – Served as led policy advisor to multiple committees, including: Ways and Means, Science and Technology, Financial Services, Energy and Commerce, Judiciary, Transportation and Infrastructure, Homeland Security, Small Business, Budget, Education and Labor, Veteran Affairs, Foreign Affairs committees, Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission), and Senate counterpart committees. – Spearheaded the congressional leadership’s efforts on the following technology issues: Patent Reform, Immigration Reform, COMPETES Act, Broadband Deployment, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, Multi-media/Entertainment, Internet Of Things (IOT) Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Program, Health-IT/E-Health and National Nanotechnology Initiative. – Served as the policy spokesperson for the Office of the Majority Whip to the White House/Administration and congressional caucuses and coalitions.

Selected to be a Cornell University Emerging Markets Institute Fellow in 2020. Founded in 2010, Cornell University's Emerging Markets Institute at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management provides thought leadership on the role of emerging markets—and emerging market multinationals—in the global economy. The Institute brings together preeminent practitioners and academics from around the world to develop the next generation of global business leaders.

Coursework completion in global health policy with concentrations in economic development and finance