
Patrick Pitts Appointed as Director & Chief of Staff, South Asia at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Driving U.S.–South Asia Commercial Diplomacy and High-Level Public-Private Partnerships
The global policy and trade landscape between the United States and South Asia is entering a transformative era — and at the forefront of this shift stands Patrick Pitts, who has been appointed Director & Chief of Staff, South Asia at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C. This appointment reflects his remarkable career spanning government affairs, strategic communications, and international policy engagement.
Patrick’s trajectory at the Chamber demonstrates a consistent ability to unite Fortune 500 leaders, senior government officials, and diverse international stakeholders in driving impact across trade, innovation, and diplomacy.
A Career at the Intersection of Policy, Business, and Diplomacy
Patrick began his journey at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as Manager, South Asia Corporate & Legislative Affairs. In this role, he quickly became known for his deep understanding of South Asian markets and ability to execute large-scale, high-stakes events, fundraisers, and policy consultations.
He advanced rapidly to Senior Manager, leading cross-border initiatives like the U.S.–India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), and the India–U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X). During this time, Patrick coordinated over 50 virtual and in-person meetings with Heads of Government, cabinet ministers, and Fortune 500 executives, generating millions in international payments and driving double-digit revenue growth through sponsorship and business development.
In March 2024, Patrick was promoted to Director, South Asia, where he built policy strategies and curated opportunities for high-level public-private engagement across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. His leadership resulted in enhanced coordination among the U.S.–India Business Council (USIBC), U.S.–Bangladesh Business Council (USBBC), and the South Asia Policy Center, strengthening the Chamber’s reputation as the premier convener of U.S.–South Asia commercial diplomacy.
Today, as Director & Chief of Staff, South Asia, Patrick leads a high-performing international team and is directly responsible for briefing C-suite executives on complex political and regulatory developments while delivering strategic initiatives that connect U.S. companies with South Asian markets at scale.
Impact Beyond Titles: Shaping Global Business and Policy
Across his career, Patrick has demonstrated a rare ability to bridge public policy with private-sector priorities. He has:
- Analyzed and navigated political/regulatory developments to ensure Fortune 500 decision-makers stay ahead of the curve in South Asia.
- Designed high-level engagements between U.S. and foreign government officials, advancing public-private cooperation on critical and emerging technologies, defense, trade, and investment.
- Created thought leadership through newsletters, policy reports, government submissions, and executive speeches — amplifying U.S. commercial diplomacy across South Asia.
- Delivered measurable results in fundraising, event execution, and stakeholder management — including over $750,000 in annual flagship event fundraising and $6 million in international payment facilitation.
Leadership Philosophy: Strategy, Communication, and Collaboration
Patrick’s leadership approach rests on three pillars:
- Strategic Foresight: Understanding political and market trends to help businesses anticipate opportunities and challenges.
- Stakeholder Alignment: Uniting governments, corporates, and NGOs to create actionable partnerships.
- Communication Excellence: Translating complex policy landscapes into clear, compelling narratives for executives and decision-makers.
This mix of technical expertise, people-first leadership, and cross-border vision has made Patrick an essential player in shaping U.S.–South Asia commercial ties.
Patrick Pitts’ appointment as Director & Chief of Staff, South Asia underscores the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s commitment to deepening its influence and impact in one of the world’s fastest-growing economic regions. With his proven record in government affairs, international business development, and policy strategy, Patrick is uniquely positioned to elevate the Chamber’s role as the premier facilitator of U.S.–South Asia commerce and diplomacy.
At CXO Gateway, we celebrate leaders like Patrick Pitts who redefine what it means to build bridges across borders. His journey — from policy research to senior leadership at the U.S. Chamber — exemplifies the power of strategic communication, global collaboration, and values-driven leadership to create lasting impact on trade and diplomacy.