stakeholder
n. countablen. a person or group that has an interest in a project, business, or decision because it affects them. They might be owners, employees, customers, or even the local community.
n. a person, group, or organisation with a legitimate interest or concern in an enterprise or project. Often used in corporate and political contexts to identify those affected by a specific policy or outcome.
The company must listen to every stakeholder before making changes.
The school board invited parents, teachers, and local business owners to the meeting as they are all key stakeholders in the new curriculum.
Effective project management requires balancing the competing interests of various stakeholders, from the investors seeking profit to the environmental groups concerned about the long-term ecological impact.
From stake + holder.
Commonly used in the plural; often paired with adjectives like 'key', 'primary', or 'external'.