Karim Farishta is a 2023 Millennium fellow and serves as the director of intergovernmental affairs and principal advisor to the assistant secretary of defense for legislative affairs on all matters pertaining to the Department of Defense’s interactions with state, local, and tribal leaders. Prior to his current position, Farishta was the director of strategic alliances at the Asian American Foundation, where he advocated the passage and implementation of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act.

Previously, Farishta served on the presidential transition team in the White House Office of Management and Administration. He also served as a coalitions director during the 2020 presidential campaign and worked for the vice president-elect during the 2021 presidential inaugural committee. A native of Houston, Texas, Farishta holds a master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a bachelor’s degree in international affairs from the George Washington University. He is a Truman and Fulbright scholar.