Every student’s path to Harvard Kennedy School is unique. What our alumni go on to do after graduating is equally varied.
We asked several HKS alums to tell us about their experiences before, during, and after HKS, and to reflect how their time at HKS has shaped their careers and lives.
By working in both the public and private sectors prior to coming to HKS, Sanghyun Lee MPA/MBA (MIT Sloan) 2010 knew business and public policy intersected in myriad ways. He made it his mission to study how this overlap can improve policymaking worldwide. By learning how to embrace diverse perspectives, navigate uncertainty, and lead with purpose at HKS, Sanghyun has seen vast improvements in his work strategies and career development.
Here’s what he shared.
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“HKS wasn’t just a school. It was a launchpad for my career at the intersection of government, technology, and public policy. The frameworks, connections, and confidence I developed at HKS have shaped my approach to leadership and policymaking.”
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2025Stays connected with HKS
Fifteen years after graduating, Sanghyun continues to be an active member of the HKS community. He has mentored HKS students through the Alumni-Student Career Shadowing Program, providing career guidance in public policy, government affairs, and technology. Additionally, he has hired and referred HKS graduates and alumni, helping them explore career opportunities in both the public and private sectors.
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2024Earns PhD in Information Systems
Earning a PhD in Information Systems was a significant milestone in Sanghyun’s career, reinforcing his expertise in technology governance and policy.
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2024
Sanghyun is now global head of key markets for Google’s Government Affairs & Public Policy division. He shapes policy strategies for key international markets and ensures alignment with global regulatory frameworks and innovation priorities.
“Whether it’s negotiating global policy strategies at Google, advocating for digital innovation, or collaborating with governments on responsible tech regulation, I continue to apply the lessons I learned at HKS every day.”
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2019Returns to Google
Sanghyun returned to Google in 2019, where he held various leadership roles across the Asia-Pacific region.
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2016Begins PhD program in information systems at Yonsei University
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2015Becomes head of public policy at Airbnb
At Airbnb, Sanghyun led public policy efforts in Korea and Japan, shaping regulatory frameworks for home-sharing, developing government partnerships, and leading initiatives such as Airbnb’s sponsorship of the 2018 Winter Olympics.
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2013Begins working as a public policy manager at Google
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For three years, Sanghyun led investment strategy and market expansion efforts in Asia, managing a $30 billion global investment portfolio and advising clients on macroeconomic trends, political risk, and asset allocation. This role allowed him to blend his policy background with economic strategy, preparing him for his transition back into public policy.
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2010Graduates from HKS and MIT
“Looking back, HKS wasn’t just an academic experience. It was a leadership training ground that prepared me to navigate the real-world complexities of government affairs, regulation, and innovation. ... The three biggest lessons I took away from HKS were to embrace diverse perspectives, to navigate uncertainty, and to lead with purpose.”
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Begins MBA program at MIT
Through the concurrent degree program, Sanghyun began taking courses toward his MBA at MIT Sloan School of Management after completing one year at HKS.
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Completes summer internship in Paris
With support from HKS’s Summer Internship Fund, Sanghyun had the opportunity to work at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s Public Governance Division in Paris, where he researched governance frameworks, public expenditure policies, and cross-border economic regulations. This experience gave him a global perspective on policy challenges and reinforced his interest in international economic governance and regulatory strategy. -
2007
During his time at HKS, Sanghyun participated in various workshops, courses, and programs led by Professor David Gergen focused on transformational leadership, ethical decision-making, and cross-sector collaboration. Because of CPL, he was able to engage with global leaders, policymakers, and industry experts, gaining insights into navigating complex policy challenges and driving systemic change.
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2007
“Attending HKS was one of the most intellectually stimulating and personally transformative experiences of my life. It was more than just an academic journey. It was a place where I refined my leadership philosophy, gained global perspectives on policymaking, and developed the strategic thinking that continues to shape my career.”
Sanghyun especially enjoyed BGP-100: The Business-Government Relationship in the United States with Professor Roger Porter. In this course, he was able to deepen his understanding of corporate strategy, regulatory negotiation, and the complex relationship between business and government.
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Sanghyun pursued the concurrent degree program because of his belief that real change happens at the intersection of public policy and private innovation. Working in both government and technology, he saw firsthand how policy decisions can accelerate or hinder innovation, and how businesses can play a role in driving positive societal impact, but only if there is mutual understanding and collaboration.
“HKS’s mission—to improve public policy and leadership so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous—resonated deeply with me. I wanted to be in an environment where I could engage with world-class faculty and peers who shape global policy; deepen my expertise in governance, leadership, and economic policy; and develop a global perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing businesses and governments today.”
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Enters the public sector as an international program manager for the Korean Civil Service Commission’s Office of Policy Management
Here, he advised senior government officials on reforming Korea’s Senior Civil Service, shaping policies to modernize public administration and governance. He represented Korea in ministerial meetings in over 20 countries, working on international collaborations in economic policy and government transparency.
“This experience gave me a firsthand look at policymaking at the highest levels, exposing me to the complexities of global diplomacy, negotiation, and government reform.”
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Begins working in the private sector at Namo Interactive
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Graduates from Emory University with a bachelor's degree in economics
“HKS instilled in me a mission-driven approach to leadership, which continues to guide my work at Google and beyond. I’m incredibly grateful for my time at HKS, and I look forward to paying it forward by mentoring the next generation of leaders.”
