 Lori Otto Punke |
Starbucks has hired LOP Strategies as federal lobbyist for a raft of corporate social responsibility issues.
Lori Otto Punke, who did a ten-year stint at the coffee chain before exiting as director of government affairs in 2015, heads the Mercer Island-based firm.
At Starbucks, she is remembered for helping to launch the company's high-profile College Achievement Plan to send baristas to college for free.
Earlier, Punke was Microsoft's manager of government affairs, dealing with intellectual property, antitrust, tax, trade, cybersecurity and regulatory matters. She also served on the board of the software giant's political action committee.
LOP will advise Starbucks on workforce employment, benefits, training, ethical sourcing, family leave and sustainability issues.
Starbucks spent $8.4M for DC lobbying during the first nine months of 2018 at firms including Monument Policy Group, K&L Gates and Petrizzo Group.
Missy Edwards Strategies represents Shein Technology Group, the Los Angeles arm of the embattled Singapore-based “instant fashion” retailer.
Carlsbad, a north San Diego County city of 115K people, is looking for a firm to provide government relations and Sacramento lobbying services.
Gordon Sondland, who was US ambassador to the European Union under Donald Trump, has registered as a representative of Ukraine’s cabinet and ministers.
The Daschle Group is representing Santa Monica-based Stand with Hong Kong Action, an advocacy group that fights to end Chinese repression in Hong Kong.
McKinsey & Co. has reached out to Republican shop Harbinger Strategies to educate policymakers about the activities of the embattled management consultancy.
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