Full Name
Alethea Harney
Job Title
Strategic Advisor, SOMEBODY and Former Chief of Staff to Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff
Company
SOMEBODY
Speaker Bio
Alethea Harney is a collaborative leader with more than 20 years of experience at the intersection of communications, policy, and public engagement across government and business. Known for building trust among diverse stakeholders, she leads with empathy, clarity, and insight, having advised Presidents, Cabinet Secretaries, and CEOs while advancing complex initiatives to lasting impact.
Most recently, Alethea served as Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff at the White House, where she directed his public engagement, global diplomacy, and policy portfolio. She also oversaw his sports diplomacy work, partnering with NBA Africa to launch the first all-girls basketball clinic in Ghana, leading an anti-hate initiative with Chelsea FC in the UK, and managing all engagements for the Presidential Delegation to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.
Previously, she was Senior Advisor to the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and earlier led communications teams in the energy sector, managing multimillion-dollar budgets and advising Fortune 500 executives. She now serves as a Strategic Advisor at Somebody, a firm harnessing the power of sports and culture to drive social impact.
Alethea has held many impressive titles during her career, but she is most proud of being called Jack and Mei Mei’s mom. She resides with her family in Washington, DC.
Most recently, Alethea served as Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff at the White House, where she directed his public engagement, global diplomacy, and policy portfolio. She also oversaw his sports diplomacy work, partnering with NBA Africa to launch the first all-girls basketball clinic in Ghana, leading an anti-hate initiative with Chelsea FC in the UK, and managing all engagements for the Presidential Delegation to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.
Previously, she was Senior Advisor to the Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and earlier led communications teams in the energy sector, managing multimillion-dollar budgets and advising Fortune 500 executives. She now serves as a Strategic Advisor at Somebody, a firm harnessing the power of sports and culture to drive social impact.
Alethea has held many impressive titles during her career, but she is most proud of being called Jack and Mei Mei’s mom. She resides with her family in Washington, DC.
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