Edelman is committing $10M to build out its newly formed global advisory unit, which will help governments, businesses and non-profit organizations deal with the rapidly changing geopolitical and economic landscapes.

The No. 1 independent firm has acquired DC-based Basilinna strategic consulting firm and long-term Edelman partner to serve as foundation of Edelman Global Advisory, which is a unit of the DJE holding company.

Basilinna founding partners, CEO Deborah Lehr and COO Leigh Wedell, are CEO and co-COO of EGA, respectively,

Lehr served with the National Security Council (director for Asia), Office of the US Trade Representative (deputy assistant), New York Stock Exchange (senior director for emerging markets), Merrill Lynch (senior advisor to CEO) and Paulson Institute (vice chairman).

Wedell is a vetern of the International Republican Institute (China program director), US Chamber of Commerce (deputy director/Hong Kong-US Business Council associate director), and Paulson Institute (chief sustainability officer).

Edelman Public Affairs COO Gurpreet Brar, who joined the firm seven years ago from Bell Pottinger, is co-COO of EGA.

Based in Washington, EGA has offices in New York, Mexico City, Ottawa, Paris, Brussels, Dubai, Tokyo and Beijing.

Edelman’s initial $10M investment will fund EGA's expansion into new markets and the hiring of regional and sectoral leadership.