Google’s Karan Bhatia joins Partnership for Public Service’s board of directors

August 18, 2022

WASHINGTON – The nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service today announced that Karan Bhatia, vice president of government affairs and public policy at Google, has been elected to serve on its board of directors.    

Bhatia has deep experience working across the federal enterprise, having served eight years in several appointed positions in the George W. Bush administration, including as deputy U.S. Trade Representative, overseeing U.S. international trade policy with respect to Asia and Africa. Bhatia has worked at Google since 2018, overseeing a team of government affairs professionals in more than 50 countries. Prior to this role, he served as president of GE’s government affairs and policy function. 

“With his extensive experience working in both the public and private sectors, Karan will  be a tremendous asset on our board,” said Max Stier, president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service. “He brings a wealth of knowledge on global policy, innovation and technology – all critical issues facing our government and our nation. We are thrilled to welcome Karan to our esteemed board of directors.”  

“I’m honored to have been asked to serve on the Partnership’s board and look forward to engaging in the organization’s work at this critical time,” said Bhatia. “Creating a more effective government means creating a more innovative government that can harness the power of technology to better serve the public. The Partnership has a vital role to play in helping government achieve those goals.” 

“Karan is a visionary leader, and we could not be more thrilled to welcome him to the board,” said Tom Bernstein, chair of the Partnership’s board of directors. “Karan’s expertise will be invaluable as we seek to develop public service leaders’ capacity to create more innovative organizations, improve service delivery to the public and attract more young, tech-savvy people to government.” 

In addition to his executive role at Google, Bhatia serves on the boards of the Urban Institute and the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Princeton, a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and a law degree from Columbia University. 

As an elected member of the Partnership for Public Service’s board of directors, Bhatia will serve as a volunteer, helping guide the organization’s strategic priorities and ensuring its financial health by providing fiscal oversight and supporting of fundraising efforts.   

Other elected members of the Partnership for Public Service’s board of directors include: 

• Tom A. Bernstein: President, Chelsea Piers Management, Inc. and Chairman, Partnership for Public Service  
• Doug Conant: Founder and CEO, ConantLeadership and Former CEO and President, Campbell Soup Company  
• Joel L. Fleishman: Professor of Law and Director, Heyman Center for Ethics, Public Policy, and the Professions, Duke University  
• Nora Gardner: Senior Partner, McKinsey & Company  
• W. Scott Gould: CEO, Mountain Lake Associates, LLC  
• David J. Kappos: Partner, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP  
• Les L. Lyles: Former Chairman of the Board, USAA, Retired General and former Vice Chief of Staff, United States Air Force  
• Sharon Marcil, Managing Director and Senior Partner, North America Chair, Boston Consulting Group 
• Jennifer Millstone  
• Indra K. Nooyi: Former Chairman and CEO, PepsiCo  
• Sean O’Keefe: University Professor and Howard G. and S. Louise Phanstiel Chair in Strategic Management and Leadership, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University  
• Dina Powell McCormick: Global Head of Sustainability and Inclusive Growth, Goldman Sachs  
• Steven C. Preston: President and CEO, Goodwill Industries International  
• Kevin Sheekey: Global Head of External Relations, Bloomberg LP  
• Max Stier: President and CEO, Partnership for Public Service  
• Dan Tangherlini: Chief Financial Officer, Emerson Collective  
• Toni Townes-Whitley: Digital Leadership, Social Impact, Tech Innovation 
• Jim VandeHei: Co-Founder and CEO, Axios  
• George W. Wellde Jr.: Former Vice Chairman, Securities Division, Goldman Sachs & Company 
• Neal S. Wolin: CEO, Brunswick Group 

During the past 20 years, the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service has been dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. We work across administrations to help transform the way government works by providing agencies with the data insights they need to succeed, developing effective leaders, inspiring the next generation to public service, facilitating smooth presidential transitions and recognizing exceptional federal employees. Visit ourpublicservice.org, follow us @PublicService and subscribe today to get the latest federal news, information on upcoming Partnership programs and events, and more.      

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