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School of Diplomacy and International Relations

Board of Advisors: Jody Trapasso

Senior Vice President of External Affairs, FCA – North America

Mr. Jody Trapasso’s career has placed him at the highest levels of government, political campaigns, business, law, and philanthropy. He has broad experience providing strategic counsel on public policy, communications, and reputation management matters. Jody is currently a partner with New Paradigm Strategy Group, a full-service public affairs company which he helped found.  New Paradigm designs and executes strategic communications plans, issue advocacy coalitions, television, radio, print, and digital ad campaigns, qualitative and quantitative research insights, and audience targeting for corporations, trade associations, labor unions, and political organizations.

Jody previously ran the External Affairs Department for a major North American automaker, where he directed government relations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, led the company’s philanthropic efforts, and oversaw civic engagement, employee volunteerism, and community relations programs. He also served on the company’s Sustainability Steering Committee, Social Cause Marketing Committee, and Group Diversity Council.  Jody has held senior positions with global law firms, advising clients on a wide-range of domestic and international issues. He served as a political appointee in the Clinton Administration, working both in the White House and the Department of State.  Jody has also played senior roles with presidential campaigns and at the Democratic National Committee, with experience in debate preparation, voter protection programs, major donor fundraising, communications and media relations, and national party conventions.