Coinbase appoints a Clinton aide and adds two new directors, one with experience working for US presidents and another with an extensive management consulting background.
Coinbase has added three new members to its board, including a senior OpenAI executive who was a political strategist for President Bill Clinton in the 1990s.
In a statement on July 25, Coinbase announced that Chris Lehane is now one of its 10 directors.
Lehane was a strategist for Bill Clinton during his 1992 campaign and continued to work with him throughout his presidency from 1993 to 2001.
He also helped Airbnb become legal in all 50 states and internationally. Currently, Lehane is the Vice President of Public Works at OpenAI.
“With countries around the world developing new rules that embrace crypto’s potential to update the financial system, Chris will provide strategic counsel to Coinbase’s leadership as the company works to make onchain the new online,” said Coinbase.
Coinbase adds powerhouse directors with diverse expertise
Lehane was already part of Coinbase’s Global Advisory Council before joining the board.
Two other new directors are also joining: Christa Davies, who used to be the chief financial officer at the consulting firm Aon, and Paul Clement, a former partner at the law firm Clement and Murphy and a former solicitor general under the Bush administration.
Davies, who also served as the CFO of Microsoft’s platforms and services division, will be on Coinbase’s audit and compliance committee and will help with the company’s financial operations.
Clement, whose former law firm focused on litigation, is one of the most experienced attorneys before the US Supreme Court, having argued over 100 cases.
His expertise could be valuable in Coinbase’s ongoing legal battle with the US securities regulator.
Clement also served as the US Solicitor General for President George W. Bush during his two terms from 2001 to 2009.
He will also help Davies with Coinbase’s audit and compliance committee.
All three new board members believe digital assets can make finance more accessible, especially for marginalized groups. Lehane added:
“I am excited to support Coinbase as they continue to advocate for the 52 million Americans who own crypto (over-indexing young people of color) and work to democratize the benefits of capitalism so more people can keep their fair share of the economic pie.”
