New vice president for government affairs

Dear members of the MIT community,

In February, when David Goldston stepped down as the longtime director of MIT’s Washington Office, I let you know that – given the importance of our engagement with every tier of government – we would begin a search to fill the new position of vice president for government affairs (VPGA).

Today, I’m pleased to share that Karen Knutson will begin in this role on November 1. In charge of both our local Office of Government and Community Relations and the MIT Washington Office, she will be responsible for advancing the Institute’s educational and policy interests at the federal, state, city and community levels and will serve as my senior advisor on government engagement.

Broadly respected in Washington

Karen comes to us with decades of wide-ranging experience in government and industry. Raised in Alaska – her father a helicopter pilot, her mother a nurse – Karen earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and shortly moved to Washington to join the staff of Alaska’s then-Senator Frank Murkowski; the state’s unique relationship with the US government spurred her early interest in federal relations.

After earning her law degree from Wake Forest, Karen returned to DC ready to work at the intersection of policy and law. Her early experience included serving as senior legislative staff for two other US senators and leading a White House task force on national energy policy. From 2007 to 2011, she also served as chief of staff to Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, helping her win a historic write-in campaign and navigate the politics of being the US Senate’s key swing vote.

Since then, Karen has held top policy and government relations roles across the energy and agricultural food products industries. Most recently, as vice president and general manager for government affairs at Chevron, she led a 60-person team responsible for government affairs around the world, including advocacy for its new energy portfolio, from hydrogen to carbon capture, utilization and storage.

Known for her straightforward, down-to-earth manner, her professionalism, her ability to navigate contentious political issues and her record of working deftly across the aisle, Karen has built an exceptionally strong network in Washington. I look forward to working with her as we make the case at all levels of government for the value of MIT and of the unique partnership between the US government and its research universities.

I close with warm appreciation for Maria Zuber, presidential advisor for science and technology policy, who oversaw our DC staff and strategy during the VPGA search.

Please join me in welcoming Karen to MIT.

Sincerely,

Sally Kornbluth
President