Welcome to the Inaugural Issue of “Ripped from the Headlines with Andrea Bonime-
Blanc” an Athena Alliance / GEC Risk Advisory Monthly Newsletter
Greetings all,
As some of you know, I’ve been an Athena Alliance Advisory Board member, Salon host, coach, and investor for more than 5 years. One thing I love doing at Athena each month is hosting a Salon called “Ripped from the Headlines” in which Athena members vote for a topic to be discussed live—always subject to Chatham House Rules. The topics revolve around “Risk, Crisis, and Tech Governance in Turbulent Times”.
While these monthly salons are exclusive to Athena members, they have been so popular and rich in their discussions and outcomes, we have decided to memorialize them for the benefit of a broader audience (always keeping our rules of confidentiality and mutual respect top of mind).
Hence, this new cobranded Athena Alliance/GEC Risk Advisory Newsletter we are launching today, “Ripped from the Headlines with Andrea Bonime-Blanc”.
Welcome!
Andrea & Coco
So here is Issue #1 for February 2025 – let us know what you think in the comments on the LinkedIn version of this newsletter or drop us a note as follows: [email protected] or [email protected]
At the beginning of the Salon, I presented a 15 minute curated view of the tsunami of information we are all subject to daily—even hourly—drawing from respected and reliable sources. The presentation was divided into Musk’s role influencing US domestic politics and economics and US foreign policy and what the implications might be for business. In the subsequent discussion, we dug into concerns about the influence of Musk’s various companies on US business competition including the tech sector, foreign policy, potential and actual conflicts of interest, and the long-term effects of his influence as a billionaire and the richest man in the world on the government and on business. The conversation naturally expanded to the current state of US democracy, the generational differences in political awareness and engagement, and the need for more personal connections and conversations to engage younger generations in politics.
The following are some of the headlines we examined from a variety of news sources including the New York Times (NYT), the Economist, the Financial Times (FT), NBC News, Wired Magazine and others:
The discussion included the significant influence of Elon Musk’s various companies, including Tesla, SpaceX, and Starlink, on global politics, including Musk’s promotion and support for far-right politics across the globe, a topic investigated in detail in one of the news sources shared: “How Elon Musk is Boosting Far-Right Politics Across the Globe” (NBC News)
Part of the discussion revolved around the implications of Elon Musk’s influence on the US government and its potential impact on businesses including excerpts from an FT article that detailed how Musk’s businesses, including Tesla and SpaceX, are benefiting from government contracts and subsidies, and noting how many large companies are trying to establish links with Musk’s businesses now, as they see him as a key decision-maker in the Trump administration. Several companies, such as Amazon, Apple, T-Mobile, Boeing, Oracle, and Intel, are collaborating with Musk’s businesses. I expressed concern about the potential conflicts of interest and the long-term effects of Musk’s influence on the government and businesses.
The group discussed the infiltration of the US Federal Government by a group of unelected, unvetted mostly young men, known as "DOGE". This group, led by Elon Musk, is allegedly and potentially conducting a federal government power grab under the guise of an efficiency drive. There was discussion of the impact of these actions on various federal agencies, including the USAID, which is being dismantled. There are also implications for health, such as the disruption of the US bird flu response. Questions were raised about the role of Elon Musk and the DOGE team, their authorities under applicable law, and the lack of action from Congress and the courts. Serious concerns were raised about the potential for a foreign actor or actors to exploit the situation and the potential impact on national security, privacy and global financial security.
Right now, many businesses are grappling with uncertainty—unsure of how to navigate strategy, government contracts, supply chains, talent, marketing, and sustainability in the face of the current challenges. From a board director’s perspective, the clear message was to proceed with caution. Members emphasized the importance of taking a measured approach that carefully weighs risk and protects long-term reputation.
In the face of an increasingly complex political climate, members emphasized the need for a measured, strategic approach—one that resists knee-jerk reactions and instead focuses on thoughtful, proactive solutions. Businesses, in particular, must find ways to voice concerns without resorting to divisive rhetoric, ensuring their responses are both constructive and impactful.
The conversation also expanded to the broader need for resilience—not just in business strategy, but in democracy and the rule of law itself. With rising cyber threats and other disruptions, organizations must prioritize crisis management and business continuity planning to safeguard their operations and the stability of the systems they rely on.
The conversation quickly turned to the challenges of today’s political climate, with members voicing concerns about how younger generations are navigating it all. There was a strong sentiment that real, personal connections—not just social media—are key to getting younger people engaged in politics. The discussion also touched on the hurdles women still face in the workplace. Many highlighted the importance of ongoing support and mentorship to create real change. It was clear that while progress has been made, there’s still work to do—and that change starts with these kinds of conversations.
How do we —as executives, decision-makers, board members—prepare?
© Athena Alliance 2025
