Democracy That Delivers

In a moment shaped by geopolitical uncertainty, social media and AI-driven information flows, crisis leadership depends on much more than a communications plan. In this episode, Michele Crymes of CIPE speaks with crisis communications adviser Ellen Barry about how organizations can prepare before pressure hits, build trust with stakeholders and communicate honestly when answers are incomplete. Barry emphasizes that relationships with NGOs, regulators, journalists and communities must be built before a crisis, not during one. The conversation also highlights the importance of clear decision-making, credible local information, empathy and values-based leadership. The central takeaway: technology may accelerate access to information, but resilient leadership still begins with people.

For more than 30 years, Ellen Barry has provided strategic advice to C-Suite members and Boards of Directors navigating crises ranging from cyberattacks to natural disasters to financial malfeasance. Working both in-house for Fortune 20 companies and with global consultancies, she has provided high-level crisis counsel, CEO advisory, financial and corporate messaging, employee communications, and community, investor and government relations. Her work has included NGO outreach, non-profit management, and communications leadership of teams throughout the world for both corporate and private entities.

Barry holds a degree from Georgetown University and is a guest lecturer at USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. She serves on the Board of Trustees for Eluna, a non-profit helping those navigating childhood bereavement and family addiction. Born and raised in Canada, she's lived and worked throughout the US and Western Europe and currently resides in Southern California.

At a moment when organizations are navigating volatility, fragmentation, and mounting compliance pressure, small- and medium-sized enterprises increasingly rely on trusted external networks to navigate legal, regulatory, and compliance challenges they often lack the capacity to manage alone. In this episode of Democracy That Delivers, Michele Crymes speaks with Rick Johnston about crisis response, reputation, regulatory complexity, and how business associations, chambers of commerce, industry groups, and organizations like CIPE can help businesses build resilience. The discussion also explores where civil society can be a practical partner rather than an outside critic. The takeaway is clear: collaboration works best when it starts with trust, shared interests, and concrete issues like anti-corruption.

Rick Johnston is Chair of the Executive Board of Business at OECD (BIAC) and Managing Director of Global Government Affairs at Citibank. In his BIAC role, he represents the global business community in engagement with the OECD and helps guide business input on international economic policy.

At Citi, he leads engagement with governments and political stakeholders, overseeing geopolitical analysis, issue advocacy, and relationships with policymakers across more than 100 countries.

An expert in international trade and investment, Johnston has advised U.S. and foreign government leaders as well as multinational companies on complex transnational issues. He previously served as International Trade Counsel to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee and as an advisor at the U.S. International Trade Commission.

This episode, part of CIPE's Rapid Response series and hosted by Frank Brown, explores how corporate communication drives the fight against corruption.

Guests Nicola Allocca and Mohammed Ahmed share insights from their global work in business integrity, highlighting the importance of culture, behavior, and innovative training like Deloitte's "Dilemma" ethics training program. The discussion covers "Talk Integrity," a new policy paper by Business at OECD, emphasizing practical solutions, simplification of standards, and the virtues of a strong communication program. Key takeaways include integrating integrity into daily practice, tailoring communication, and fostering trust and resilience. The future may call for smarter governance and responsible use of technology.

Nicola Allocca is an international executive, independent consultant, and board advisor with more than 25 years of experience across the infrastructure, steel, aerospace, consulting, and retail sectors. He specializes in governance, risk, compliance, business integrity, and responsible AI, helping organizations strengthen resilience, navigate complex regulatory environments, and drive sustainable growth. Nicola currently serves as Chair of the Business at OECD (BIAC) Integrity & Anti-Corruption Committee and Co-Chair of the B20 Integrity & Compliance Task Force. He is also Professor of Responsible Business Conduct at the University of Rome Tor Vergata.

Mohammed Ahmed is the Global Anti-Corruption and Financial Crime Compliance Leader at Deloitte Global, where he oversees global policies, standards, and monitoring processes related to anti-corruption and financial crime compliance. He has led Deloitte Global's anti-corruption and financial crime compliance function since its inception and has helped shape the strategy on anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, economic sanctions, and export controls in-house compliance. Mohammed currently serves as Vice Chair of the Business at OECD (BIAC) Integrity & Anti-Corruption Committee and is a Board and Audit Committee member of CIPE.

Moments of political change don't last long — and whether they lead to reform depends on who is ready to act. In this episode of Democracy That Delivers, CIPE's Michele Crymes speaks with Cheri-Leigh Erasmus of Accountability Lab about how civil society can seize democratic windows of opportunity. They explore why trust, coordination, and preparedness matter more than speed, how funding constraints limit response capacity, and why private sector partnerships are critical to sustainable reform. The takeaway is clear: meaningful democratic progress requires relationships built before the moment arrives — and collaboration across sectors is no longer optional.

With Australian Foreign Minister Wong explaining that Australia and China "are in a state of permanent contest in the Pacific" what are Australia's priorities in the Pacific, as well as in Southeast Asia? How does Australia engage in creative diplomacy, and how can the United States and Australia reinforce each other's efforts in supporting market-oriented democracy in this critical region?

CIPE's John Morrell is joined by Bill Costello for a conversation about Australia's perspectives on ASEAN and the Pacific. Bill is Assistant Secretary for Southeast Asia Development and Programs with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He was previously Australia's Ambassador to Timor-Leste.

As the emerging democracies of the Pacific Islands grapple with development challenges and geopolitics, the region is attracting greater attention from around the world. CIPE's John Morrell speaks with Andrew J. Harding of the Heritage Foundation about his recent article The Pacific Pivot: An American Strategy for the Pacific Islands, which is Heritage's first-ever report outlining a long-term U.S. engagement strategy for the Pacific Islands to support U.S. interests. As part of a special podcast series on Business and Politics in Today's Pacific Islands, Andrew discusses a comprehensive approach to U.S. Pacific policy, and he lays out how to build sustained bipartisan support for increased engagement with Pacific Island Countries.

As part of a special podcast series on Business and Politics in Today's Pacific Islands, CIPE's John Morrell discusses China's growing presence in the Pacific with Paul Barker, Executive Director of the Institute for National Affairs (INA) in Papua New Guinea. INA is the leading independent policy think tank in PNG, and is among the most influential thought leaders in the Pacific region.

Paul discusses political developments in PNG, the role of China in political debates in the country and across the Pacific, and the impact of China's influence in Pacific Island Countries. Listeners will hear the perspectives of Pacific people on these geopolitical dynamics.

As Samoa prepares for a historic election this August, and as the country's economy emerges from the pandemic, CIPE's John Morrell sits down with Sam Saili, President of the Samoan Chamber of Commerce and CEO of SkyEye Pacific, a technology company providing innovative solutions for the Pacific. Sam discusses the state of the Samoan economy and business climate, the work of the Chamber, and he walks listeners through the upcoming election. Listeners will learn what to expect, how to interpret the respective campaigns, the role of the business community in Samoan politics, and what the election results might portend. This episode on "Business and Politics in Samoa" is part of a special podcast series on the Pacific.

A key driver of the modern increase in global entrepreneurship is the increasing participation of women in sectors that were once inaccessible to them. This Global Entrepreneurship Week, CIPE's Elena Ratoi sits down with Arijeta Pajaziti Qerimi, a trailblazer for women in Kosovo's energy sector. Together, they discuss how Arijeta's recent partnership with CIPE's Center for Women's Economic Empowerment is strengthening women's participation in Kosovo's traditionally male-dominated energy sector. Listeners will learn how new technology is decreasing labor-intensive roles, how young women are meeting older role models, and how more women-centered events are decreasing knowledge gaps.

Guest Bio

Arijeta Pajaziti Qerimi's professional career as an electrical engineer is complemented by her academic profile with a Master of Science degree from the Electrotechnical Faculty, University of Prishtina. In 2021 she has been graduated from Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business in Gender Equity Executive Leadership Program. She has been part of the sector for almost 25 years. She currently works as an engineer specialist for SCADA / EMS in the Kosovo Transmission System and Market Operator (KOSTT) and as an executive director of AWESK (Association of Women in the Energy Sector of Kosovo) and contributes and advocate for many years to the advancement of the national agenda for the inclusion of women in energy.

Parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka follow the September selection of a new president and are expected to put the country on a new course. What might that look like? Sarrah Sammoon, CIPE's field coordinator in the country, joins Regional Director John Morrell to exchange insights on the economic and political situation in Sri Lanka leading up to the November 14 elections, including the role of the private sector and the Women's Chamber of Commerce under a new government.