Episode 2166: Meredith Sumpter on how to make American Democracy more Democratic

Keen On

How to fix American democracy? It’s a question that, over the last couple of years, we’ve been addressing in my Bertelsmann Foundation supported How To Fix Democracy show, now its fifth year. And it is, of course, also a subject much addressed over the years on KEEN ON. My guest on today’s show, Meredith Sumpter, has also given the subject of fixing American democracy much thought. Sumpter is the President & CEO of FairVote, a non-profit dedicated to making American democracy more democratic. And as she explains, this can be most effectively done through Ranked Choice Voting (RCV), a practical reform of the electoral system that can radically revitalize American politics.

Meredith Sumpter is an executive leader and builder of innovative organizations and movements that drive value for people. As President and CEO of FairVote, Meredith is working to advance a more functional and representative democracy that delivers for every American. FairVote is a nonpartisan organization that researches and advances voting reforms including ranked choice voting and the Fair Representation Act. Ranked choice voting has become the fastest-growing voting reform in the nation because it empowers voters and rewards candidates and elected officials who can win majority support. Previously, Meredith was CEO & President of the Board of the Council for Inclusive Capitalism, a global community of CEOs committing their organizations to actions that demonstrate value creation with sustainable and inclusive business practices. The Council expanded from 25 to 570+ corporate and investor CEOs during her tenure, taking 780+ measurable actions tied to the UN SDGs. She was CEO of the separate Coalition for Inclusive Capitalism, which convened leaders across private, public, and civic sectors to launch market-relevant reforms. Meredith has a track record of leading multi-stakeholder initiatives at executive levels with systemic impact. This includes the Just Transition Framework for Company Action, the first private-sector guide for companies, investors and policymakers to advance environmental and social goals with transition tied to market indicators, and the Pension Fund Coalition long-term value creation template mandates for use by asset owners and asset managers in public equity and private markets investment contracts. Bringing people together to solve problems and expand opportunity is a central theme in Meredith’s work. She has held an advisory position at New America and Harvard University, where Meredith convened public sector leaders with national research experts on innovative reforms to advance democratic resilience including with AI and governance, health equity, social justice, and economic opportunity. Formerly, Meredith was Head of Research & Strategy at Eurasia Group, a global geopolitical advisory firm. She oversaw the research platform and advised industry leaders and investors on global politics and 21st century drivers of trade, disruption, and growth. Her 20+ years of experience in business, strategy, policy, and analysis spans multiple sectors and regions. Meredith has worked in the US Senate and as a US diplomat and government official in Beijing, where she advised two US ambassadors and analyzed politics, economics, and security issues for policymakers. Meredith has appeared on major networks including Bloomberg, CNBC, MSNBC, BBC, Fox, PBS and CNN. An advisor to boards, she values engaging people and regularly speaks at industry and global conferences. Originally from Alaska and now residing in Virginia, Meredith enjoys a rich life parenting four children with her husband Ryan.

Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.

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