Jon Haber

Jon Haber is an Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

An expert at helping businesses, organizations and political candidates manage their reputations and respond to changing media, marketplace and political environments, Haber has worked with some of the nation’s most recognized brands and individuals.

At HKS, Haber teaches Crisis Communications (DPI-896M). Previously, he taught public affairs communications at Georgetown University. He often lectures on personal branding and job hunting.

Haber is also the president of Cascade Strategy, Inc., a strategic communications consultancy he founded in Washington, DC. He works with a variety of nonprofits, government entities, companies, foundations, elected officials and political operations on strategic storytelling, crisis communications and organizational management.

Haber is a veteran of five U.S. presidential campaigns. He served as chief of staff/general counsel for Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), counsel/communications director for Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, and an aide to Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA). During the Clinton Administration, Haber was special counsel to the president at the Overseas Private Investment Corp.

Previously Haber was CEO of the American Association for Justice (AAJ), one of the nation’s most powerful professional associations. There, he grew the organization and led its repositioning and turnaround. Haber also reframed the debate about civil justice issues, developed a more forward-thinking communications strategy and led the rebranding and change of the organization’s name.

Before joining AAJ, Haber was a senior partner at Fleishman-Hillard, then the world’s largest public relations, public affairs and marketing company. At Fleishman, Haber developed and managed a highly successful public affairs and corporate communications consulting practice for technology companies, non-profits and foundations.

An attorney, Haber practiced law in San Francisco.

A native of Los Angeles, Haber holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA and a Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco School of Law.