consiglieri

Consiglieri is the plural of consigliere, an advisor or counselor—specifically the trusted advisor to a Mafia boss.

The term entered English through Mario Puzo's *The Godfather*, where the consigliere serves as strategist and mediator.

Outside organized crime contexts, it describes any influential behind-the-scenes advisor: He served as the senator's consiglieri on foreign policy matters.