Ken Mehlman

Ken Mehlman (New York) joined KKR in 2008 and is KKR’s Global Head of Public Affairs, helping the Firm assess and improve the companies in which it invests by better understanding and managing geopolitical risk and engaging with their key stakeholders. Mr. Mehlman also oversees the firm’s global external affairs activities, including corporate marketing, regulatory affairs and public policy & communications. Mr. Mehlman leads KKR's Environmental Social Governance (ESG) programs for the firm and its portfolio companies. Before joining KKR, Mr. Mehlman led a bipartisan public policy and regulatory practice at the global law firm Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld. Mr. Mehlman spent a dozen years in national politics and government service, including as 62nd Chairman of the Republican National Committee and Campaign Manager of President Bush's 2004 re-election campaign as well as in high level positions in Congress and the White House. Mr. Mehlman earned a B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College and holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School. Mr. Mehlman is Chairman of the American Investment Council, the association representing the private equity and growth capital industries, a trustee of Mt. Sinai Hospital of New York, Franklin & Marshall College, Teach for America, Sponsors of Educational Opportunity (SEO), the Sustainable Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the Ideal School of Manhattan, Co-chairman of the American Enterprise Institute’s National Council, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.