Jeffrey Krilla

About Jeffrey Krilla

A decorated veteran, seasoned executive, and diplomat, Jeff Krilla is a globally recognized strategist driving policy and investment initiatives in international business, security, and development worldwide. He joined Kosmos Energy in May 2015 as Vice President for Global Public Policy and Government Affairs. He also serves on several non-profit and corporate boards, including as co-founder of the Krilla Kaleiwahea (K2) Foundation, a Native Hawaiian Organization. A Leading Voice in Law and Diplomacy, Jeff previously chaired the Africa and Corporate Social Responsibility Practices at Dentons, LLP. He built a dedicated team of Africa professionals across Dentons’ international offices (including London, Paris, Cairo, Dubai, and Washington, DC) and an expansive network of associated offices, establishing Dentons as the leading international law firm on the continent. He was seconded to Bloomberg Philanthropies to help plan and execute the first-ever U.S-Africa Business Forum, which focused on trade and investment opportunities and was a key part of the historic U.S-Africa Leaders Summit and served as President of the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety in response to the Rana Plaza disaster.Jeff was recognized as a \"Legal Rebel\" by the American Bar Association’s ABA Journal, an honor given to those who are \"remaking their corner of the profession.\"As a former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, he led U.S. delegations on five continents, promoting socially-responsible partnerships between private and public stakeholders. Before joining the State Department, Jeff spent a decade in senior roles on Capitol Hill, serving as an aide for Congressman Mike Pappas (NJ) and Congressman Bill Thomas (CA), and as Majority Counsel for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. In recognition of his distinguished career, Jeff has received high honors, including being invested as Chevalier (Knight) in the National Order of Merit by the President of Mauritania and as an Officer in the Sovereign Order of St. John by the Queen of England.

Experience

1. Co-founder, Partner

   Krilla Kaleiwahea (K2)

   Nov 2022 — Present · Honolulu, HI, US

   K2 is a 8(a) Native Hawaiian Organization whose principal mission is to benefit the Native Hawaiian community. K2 is a social enterprise - a contracting company positioned to bring the efficiency, speed and excellence of the private sector to government projects. Decades of government, military and private sector experience make K2 the leading company for USG solutions.

Education

• MIT Sloan School of Management

  Artificial Intelligence and Business

• Georgetown University

  Bachelor of Science Foreign Service (B.S.F.S.)

  1987 — 1991

• University of Pennsylvania

  Master of Government Administration (M.G.A.), Government, Public Policy

  1994 — 1996

• U.S. Naval War College

  Master of Arts (M.A.), International Relations and National Security Studies

  2012 — 2015

• Georgetown Law

  Doctor of Law (J.D.), Law

  1996 — 1999