Strategic. Innovative. Outcome-focused.
A global citizen in background and education, James has 35 years experience creating and launching strategy, branding and marketing communications for businesses and non-profits in the Americas, Europe, Africa & Asia.
James has worked, studied, and lived across the US, Europe, Asia and Latin America. He is specialized in strategic planning, marketing/branding and business development in entertainment/media, social entrepreneurship and arts/culture.
As publicist and business manager for actress Elizabeth Taylor, he helped create and lead the historic marketing/PR campaigns that launched Elizabeth Taylor’s Passion and White Diamonds, the best-selling celebrity fragrances of their time. He also worked closely with Taylor at that time on her PR/Marketing and Fundraising campaigns when she was Chairman of amfAR (American Foundation for AIDS Research). Their joint efforts raised the first millions of dollars from high net worth individuals and major events for the cause when it was controversial. James was Co-producer with Taylor’s team of the Emmy Award-Winning 50 PSA’s with Rod McKuen for HIV/AIDS education in 1986 as part of the Lifeline Series with KPIX-TV San Francisco.
At Time Warner, Hong Kong, James led strategic planning with the CEO to expand the company’s English and Chinese media properties across 12 Asia-Pacific markets.
At France Telecom, Paris (now Orange), James was appointed the company’s first American executive in its history. He created and led its global marketing, partnerships and business development in 15 countries across Europe, US & Latin America for 10 product lines, culminating in its privatization.
Transitioning into the non-profit sector ~ and determined to shine a light on leading social entrepreneurs and the field of social entrepreneurship ~ James created the global marketing and communications for Ashoka, in 50+ countries on five continents as Ashoka’s first Vice President of Global Marketing. He created and led new brand strategies, media campaigns, high profile PR events and on-line programs raising multi-million gifts from individuals, global business families and corporations in the US, Europe, Asia & Brazil.
As Co-founder and Principal of Consulting for a Better World, his clients have included Alliance Française, American Bar Association, Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, fhi360, Arena Stage and Opera Lafayette.
James has worked with The Board of the The Washington National Opera (WNO) and The John F. Kennedy Center; National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA); The Harvard Club; Georgetown University; Phillips Exeter Academy and School Year Abroad (SYA). He has been a strategic advisor on the documentary “Mission: Joy” based on dialogues between Rev. Desmond Tutu and H.H. The Dalai Lama, and for The World Human Forum of Delphi, Greece.
James currently serves as Director of North America for PUSHAQ, the luxury and adventure travel leader in sustainable, eco-tourism in Ecuador and The Galapagos Islands.
A graduate of Harvard Business School, Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service cum laude and Phillips Exeter Academy with honors, James spent his junior high school year in Rennes, France on School Year Abroad.
James also holds honors certificates from universities in Paris (Sciences Po & the Sorbonne), Rio de Janeiro (PUC), Shanghai (E. China) and Taipei (National Taiwan University). He is fluent in English, French, Portuguese, proficient in Spanish & Italian. He has studied Mandarin Chinese and Modern Greek.
He is devoted to performing arts (opera, music, dance, theater) and museum/modern arts. He is passionate about commercial aviation and athletics (swimming, skiing, tennis). He leads interfaith practices, mindfulness and meditation activities. He advocates for social entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability and animal rescue/care.
James especially supports women leaders in arts/culture, business and social justice.
James hosted Jane Fonda at Georgetown University where she addressed 500 students on climate justice, January 2020 (left). James marched with Ms. Fonda at her “Fire Drill Fridays” in Washington, DC, Fall 2019 (below).
With great opera soprano and 2023 Kennedy Center Honoree, Renée Fleming, at The Aspen Institute for her book launch, “Music and Mind,” April 2024. A must read:
Music and Mind: Harnessing the Arts for Health and Wellness
Enjoy her interview at the Aspen Institute in DC April 2024 to launch her book here..
With 2023 Kennedy Center Honoree Dionne Warwick after her performance at Herodion Theater, The Acropolis of Athens, Greece, September 2024.
James worked with Ms. Warwick on education and fundraising for The Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) in the late 1980’s.
With Gloria Steinem, honored by the Women’s Media Center in NYC in 2019.
When Phillips Exeter Academy honored Ms. Steinem in 2021, James honored her in this published interview:
With Adrienne Arsht, businesswoman and arts philanthropist, Fall 2022.
With Deborah Rutter, former President of the John F. Kennedy Center and currently Vice Provost for the Arts, Duke University, at The Kennedy Center Honors, December 2023.
James worked with Ms. Rutter, the Kennedy Center and the Washington National Opera Boards on strategy, fundraising and new audience development.