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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