The proposed panel champions the need to re-evaluate current knowledge and challenge traditional wisdom in the area of corporate political activity (CPA) in MNEs – by providing a novel multilevel conceptualization in this area. Mirroring the EIBA 2024 Call for Papers, we seek to uncover new insights into the political roles and activities of MNEs – by emphasizing the neglected but key role of the micro-level managerial actors. The key role of influential corporate actors can be observed by several recent examples of influential individuals in international firms – such as Elon Mask in Tesla, Sam Altman in Open AI, Bill Gates in Microsoft, Ren Zhengfei in Huawei, and others. These micro actors and their political activities may play a significant role for their MNEs global political influence – and eventually their approach in dealing with global grand challenges in both home and emerging markets. In addition, macro level factors such as trade wars, policies at the macro country level, political social responsibility initiatives or new regulations fighting greenwashing, may act as key contingencies on how these actors influence MNE political behavior. The key role of these actors in affecting MNEs' CPA in developed and emerging markets will be discussed.