Christopher Padilla

Former Department of Commerce

With over 30 years of international executive experience, Chris has successfully navigated private sector and senior government roles in international economics, national security, and immigration. For over 15 years, he led global government and regulatory affairs for IBM Corporation, driving policy dialogues for the technology industry on high-skilled immigration, market access, cybersecurity, data privacy, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing. 

Before joining IBM, Chris served in two Senate-confirmed roles at the Department of Commerce, was chief of staff and senior advisor to the Deputy Secretary of State, and was an Assistant U.S. Trade Representative. As Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, he led a 2,000-person agency responsible for exports and imports, reviewing foreign investment in the United States, and administering U.S. trade laws. He also led the Commerce Department's Export Administration unit, which regulates high-technology exports controlled for national security reasons.