Ambassador Richard Verma was a senior advisor to the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center and the general counsel and head of global public policy at Mastercard. He previously served as the US ambassador to India, assistant secretary of state, and national security advisor to former US Senator and Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV). In the private sector, Verma was a partner at Steptoe & Johnson for many years and was vice chairman of The Asia Group, a leading global consulting firm. A veteran of the US Air Force, Verma is the recipient of the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal and the State Department’s Distinguished Service Award. Verma serves on a number of boards and commissions including the boards of the National Endowment for Democracy and Lehigh University. He holds multiple degrees, including a doctorate from Georgetown University and a law degree from American University.