Feb 25, 2020, 11:35 AM ETInterview, Fireside Chat, Panel

Ken Mehlman, KKR’s Global Head of Public Affairs and Co-Head of Global Impact

Ken Melman began campaigning for Ronald Reagan at age 14, citing Reagan's optimism and confidence in the future as key influences on his interest in politics.
During the 2000 Bush campaign, Melman served as National Field Director, moving to Iowa to oversee operations and personally lead a "laser-focused" strategy that won the state.
Melman implemented an innovative peer-to-peer outreach model in Iowa that was subsequently adopted for the national campaign scope.
As Director of the White House Office of Political Affairs, Melman helped drive the bipartisan passage of the No Child Left Behind Act, which introduced data disaggregation to track educational outcomes by race, socioeconomic status, and immigration status.
Following the September 11 attacks, the administration's domestic political focus shifted from bipartisan education and tax reform to war-related priorities.

In 2002, at age 35, Melman was selected by President George W. Bush to run the re-election campaign, receiving explicit authorization to control all personnel decisions and budget allocations.
Melman negotiated a clear chain of command with the President, requiring that his campaign decisions override those of senior advisors like Karl Rove and Dick Cheney to prevent "second-guessing."
The campaign successfully executed the re-election effort, building on the foundational strategies developed during the 2000 cycle.

As Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Melman delivered a historic speech to the NAACP, acknowledging past failures to support racial reconciliation and apologizing for the party's use of racial divisiveness.
Melman argued that the Republican Party was founded on racial progress (referencing Abraham Lincoln) and that recent deviations from this mission were "immoral."
Melman highlights the 2018 criminal justice reform law as a significant bipartisan achievement addressing mass incarceration, noting its disproportionate impact on communities of color and low-income areas.
Despite progress on specific legal reforms, Melman asserts that the opportunity divide in the U.S. remains too great, necessitating a renewed focus on educational equity and small business access.

KKR launched the Global Impact Fund in 2018 to target the lower middle market with companies aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The fund has raised $1.3 billion and currently holds approximately six investments, focusing on sectors including clean water, sustainable agriculture, workforce development, and waste management.
KKR's initial experience involved direct investments in green energy and water infrastructure, proving that disciplined investing in societally important problems can yield standard private equity returns.
Melman identifies specific demographic tailwinds as the primary investment case for sustainability: the emergence of a middle class in Asia that demands higher standards for food, air, and water; and the disruption of 375 million U.S. jobs by 2030.
KKR faces a dual obligation to its investors: delivering risk-adjusted financial returns and maintaining "impact authenticity" through transparent measurement and reporting.

Melman characterizes the current political environment as predominantly populist, driven by three converging factors: job disruptions from industrial revolutions, the institutional credibility erosion caused by social media, and significant demographic shifts.
He advises observers to ignore general noise and focus on approximately 300,000 to 400,000 "volatile" voters in seven key states who are likely to decide the upcoming presidential election.
Target demographic groups include suburban voters and economically minded voters in the Upper Midwest who historically supported the Democratic Party but are shifting.
Melman notes that traditional metrics like "cash on hand" are less relevant than digital engagement signals, citing the 2016 campaign's reliance on yard signs and social media followers as a predictor of success.

In 2010, Melman came out as gay and partnered with KKR founders Henry Kravis and Scott Nuttall to support the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and the legal challenge against California's Proposition 8.
Henry Kravis responded to Melman's announcement by immediately offering to fund the fundraiser, stating Melman could fill out the check as long as Kravis's name appeared on the invitation.
Melman's primary piece of career advice is to "dress for the job you want, not the job you have," meaning individuals should prepare for and comport themselves according to their aspirational role rather than their current title.
This approach to professional conduct, which affects preparation, mindset, and self-presentation, applies broadly to any situation where one wishes to exceed expectations.