Karim Farishta serves as the Director of Intergovernmental Affairs at the Pentagon and is the principal advisor regarding the U.S. Department of Defense’s interactions with state, local, and tribal leaders. Previously, Karim was the Director of Strategic Alliances at The Asian American Foundation, spearheading the $1.1 billion philanthropic launch of its national anti-hate and belonging efforts. He served as a Program Manager at the White House during the Obama Administration and worked for Vice President Harris during the 2021 presidential inauguration. A Fulbright Scholar and an Atlantic Council Millennium Fellow, Karim holds a Master’s degree from Harvard’s Kennedy School and a B.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University.