It’s Not Business as Usual: A New Europe?

As a new agenda emerges in the world’s second largest economy, the United States will need to react to Europe's rapidly changing political and economic landscape. What should the United States expect in the coming years from the EU on privacy, technology, climate, and trade? Join the World Affairs Council for a conversation on Europe's impact on the global economy with:

• Brad Staples, CEO of APCO Worldwide;
• Shelley McKinley, Vice President, Microsoft Technology and Corporate Responsibility Group

5:00 PM: Doors Open
5:00 - 5:30 PM: Registration and reception
5:30 - 7:00 PM: Program

About the Speakers

Brad Staples is chief executive officer of APCO Worldwide. He leads the firm’s business and nearly 800 employees who are based in more than 30 markets around the world. Mr. Staples has spent two decades building APCO’s business and developing client service teams around the world, having previously served as president international and chair of global development. He first joined APCO in 1996, where he helped lead the firm’s European business in Brussels before going on to head the EMEA region.

Throughout his career at APCO, Mr. Staples has devised and conducted reputation and communication programs for multinational companies and interest groups across a broad range of industries and policy areas. He has developed public affairs campaigns and led investment promotion, information and reputation assignments for numerous corporations, governments, and political leaders.

Mr. Staples also built APCO’s global antitrust and competition practice. Working in close collaboration with leading law firms and investment banks, he has managed global client M&A and antitrust communication campaigns and has assisted multinational companies from many industry and service sectors in achieving their communication objectives around major cases.

Prior to joining APCO, Mr. Staples worked in a consultancy in London and was managing director of an EU affairs consultancy in Brussels. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in politics and government. A British national, he also speaks French and Italian.

Shelley McKinley Shelley McKinley is Vice President of Microsoft’s Technology and Corporate Responsibility group based in Redmond, WA. The Technology and Corporate Responsibility group delivers on Microsoft's mission of empowering every person and organization on the planet to achieve more by driving the digital transformation and readiness of high impact organizations including Universities and the Academic Research community, and through leadership and innovation of technology in the high impact areas of Accessibility, Environmental Sustainability, Rural Broadband Access, AI Ethics, and Criminal Justice Reform.

Shelley most recently served as an Associate General Counsel at Microsoft, based in Amsterdam, first leading the legal and corporate affairs work in Germany, before assuming broader responsibilities across Europe. She led all corporate, external and legal affairs work for Microsoft's subsidiaries in Europe. Over her 10+ year career at Microsoft, Shelley has also been responsible for the legal work for Microsoft’s hardware products, manufacturing and supply chain, as well as the Xbox games publishing business and Microsoft Learning.

Prior to joining Microsoft, Shelley practiced at law firms in Germany and Seattle and was in-house counsel for Hasbro. Shelley started her career as an M&A lawyer, working primarily with technology companies, before transitioning to focus on commercial technology transactions, consumer issues, product development and corporate affairs work.

She is a graduate of Austin College, Seattle University School of Law (JD), and University of Washington School of Law (LLM).