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Exclusive report from WestExec Advisors

WestExec Advisors is known for its rapid development and presence among key Democrats and former national military officials.

However, the firm's activities are fairly mysterious. Because it does not engage in direct lobbying, WestExec is not required to disclose information about its clients and their orders.

However, POLITICO was able to consider several clients who previously worked with WestExec. They include software giant Palantir Technologies, Japanese investment company SoftBank Group, semiconductor manufacturer GlobalFoundries, and South Korean conglomerate Samsung, said six people directly familiar with the situation.

According to anonymous sources, each of these companies collaborated with WestExec for several years. All clients ceased their cooperation with the firm after November.

Several companies that previously worked with WestExec are already making deals with lobbying firms that boast of their access to President Donald Trump. This indicates concern in Washington power circles about how to navigate paths of influence that are not entirely suited to this administration.

WestExec emphasizes its nonpartisanship, yet all founders worked in the Obama administration. Michelle Flournoy, Sergio Aguirre, and Nitin Chadda are co-founders who continue to work at the company as managing partners. Former CIA director John Brennan is a principal, and former senior State Department official Richard Stengel and former Middle East envoy for Bill Clinton Dennis Ross are senior advisors.

Additionally, Biden has brought several top WestExec managers into his government, including co-founder Antony Blinken, Avril Haines, and Jen Psaki. At the Time of appointment, this raised doubts about possible conflicts of interest with their inexperienced clients. POLITICO also noted that many of them were not restricted by Biden's team constraints on hiring people who lobbied over the past year.

Some clients who recently left WestExec stated they consciously sought connections with companies that have direct access to the Trump administration. One of them stated a desire to "redirect our resources elsewhere." Palantir and SoftBank have recently made deals with the lobbying firm Miller Strategies, led by Trump's chief financier Jeff Miller. According to Korean Herald, Samsung is "actively seeking experts with strong ties to Trump."

A WestExec spokesperson, who requested to remain anonymous, stated that since it is not a lobbying firm, their business does not depend on which party controls Washington. This spokesperson noted that WestExec provides analytical services and strategic advice to companies trying to navigate complex geopolitical and political conditions.

"WestExec remains one of the leading strategic consulting firms in the world, growing every year since its founding [in 2017] regardless of who holds the White House. We are not a lobbying firm. Our dozen executives and senior advisors—mostly former high-ranking government officials from both parties, as well as military and industry leaders—provide deep analysis and strategic advice to companies trying to navigate dynamic geopolitical, regulatory, and political contexts," this spokesperson stated in a statement.

"Of course, our substantial client base changes as corporate challenges arise and needs shift, but in 2024 we achieved record results, and in 2025 we continue to grow, having struck deals with several new clients since the beginning of the year. This is because good business advice has no political affiliation."

A person familiar with the firm said that Samsung and GlobalFoundries changed their priorities before leaving, while Palantir's departure was a mutual agreement. A person familiar with SoftBank's decision said that the company changed consultants to fit into the new administration's landscape.

While WestExec representatives emphasize that their business does not depend on Democrats holding office, the firm is receiving calls from lobbying firms connected to Republicans interested in partnerships, notes the same person familiar with the firm.

Palantir’s spokesperson declined to comment, while the press offices of GlobalFoundries, Samsung, and SoftBank did not respond to requests for comment.

It is not surprising that companies are severing ties with a traditionally Democratic firm in favor of doing business with Republican partners. As noted in POLITICO Influence, several lobbying firms connected to former President Joe Biden lost a significant portion of their business in the aftermath of the elections. However, the confidentiality surrounding WestExec's clients and other strategic consulting firms makes knowledge of client departures noticeable.