Washington Reporter We’re excited to begin our Off the Hill Leaders feature
with Suhail Khan of Microsoft. This is a new Washington Reporter series
spotlighting former Hill and administration staffers now in senior
private-sector roles, and the advice they have for government staff considering
the jump.

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SPECIAL EDITION: Off the Hill Leaders Kick Off

We’re excited to begin our Off the Hill Leaders feature with Suhail Khan of
Microsoft.

This is a new Washington Reporter series spotlighting former Hill and
administration staffers now in senior private-sector roles, and the advice they
have for government staff considering the jump.

If you have someone you think the Washington Reporter should feature, email
us [email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>.


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Off the Hill Leader — Microsoft's Suhail Khan
By: the Washington Reporter

Suhail Khan is one of the few people who has been in all four corners of the
policy world: campaigns, Capitol Hill, the administration, and now Senior
Director of External Affairs at Microsoft.

A senior executive, Khan is widely respected and works at the intersection of
policy and business; he also has practical, hard-earned advice for Hill
staffers and others thinking about making the jump downtown.


Below is a transcript of our interview with Microsoft’s Suhail Khan, lightly
edited for clarity.

Washington Reporter:
What was your first job in politics or policy?

Suhail Khan:
My first job in politics was as a volunteer coordinator for the California
GOP where I helped organize volunteers to go door-to-door and phone bank to get
out the vote in the weeks and days before Election Day. I was in college at
California Berkeley and relied heavily on recruiting friends from the Berkeley
College Republicans, Young Americans for Freedom, sororities, fraternities and
the athletic programs at Cal.

After graduating from law school, I got my first job in policy as legal
counsel and communications director on Capitol Hill for Rep. Tom Campbell (R.,
Calif.) who represented my hometown of San Jose, California.

Washington Reporter:
You’ve served on Capitol Hill, in the Admin, and in senior roles in the
private sector. Which past job helped prepare you best for your current role?

Suhail Khan:
Serving on Capitol Hill no doubt helped me best prepare for my current role.
As both a policy and communications advisor, I quickly learned that I had to
understand a wide range of domestic and international issues, assist in
formulating policy, crafting legislation, building coalitions, communicating
thoughtful and nuanced messaging surrounding our policy goals, and managing the
often complicated politics not to mention the many personalities involved. All
of this was in the heady swirl of a high-pressure, high-stakes environment. And
yeah, I miss it!

Washington Reporter:
Tell us how you got to Microsoft — were you recruited? Did you reach out? How
was the interview process?

Suhail Khan:
I never planned on working for a private company, much less in tech. But
after serving on Capitol Hill, the White House, and in a large government
agency, I was contacted by a mentor who is active in politics and served as an
advisor to Microsoft to ask if I was interested in interviewing at the company.

I was hesitant at first, but my mentor encouraged me to have an initial
conversation with my now-boss, and I did. After a series of interviews, I was
hired and have thoroughly enjoyed every minute. While I’m working at a private
company, I still feel like I’m serving our country in many important ways, and
that really means a lot to me.

Washington Reporter:
What's your favorite thing you're working on right now at Microsoft?

Suhail Khan:
I’ve been fortunate to work on a range of issues at Microsoft including
education, civil liberties, national security, justice reform, tax policy, and
AI. But one of my favorite things is working with our active duty and veterans
communities.

Technology can often be part of the solution of meeting the needs of many of
our vets especially when it comes to getting care and improving their everyday
lives.

It’s especially inspiring working with vets at Microsoft who are helping
Americans who are leaving our armed services in getting the skills needed to
secure exciting and fulfilling careers in tech. Thousands of Americans serve
our country every day, and I’m grateful to serve these men and women in some
part as a way of saying thank you.

Washington Reporter:
Who is a mentor you admire that has been helpful to you in your career?

Suhail Khan:
I've been blessed to have a few trusted friends who've advised me, helped me
make tough decisions regarding my career and even life. They’ve helped me
navigate D.C. and they have made all the difference.

Washington Reporter:
A lot of Hill staff would love to follow your career trajectory. What's one
piece of advice you would give to a Hill staffer just starting out?

Suhail Khan:
Talk to people. Get out there, meet people in town, ask questions, make
friends — on both sides of the political aisle — and when it feels right seek a
trusted mentor. D.C. is a town of relationships; invest in building meaningful
relationships and when needed, seek advice and counsel from a mentor on those
important career and life decisions. Time and time again, it’s made all the
difference for me.


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