Neil Dhillon

Neil Dhillon is a polished lobbyist with extensive public affairs and government relations experience.  His expertise includes energy & environment, tax, trade, education, and more.

In Propria Persona

A rewarding career in public affairs is only one of many facets of the dynamic communications expert Neil Dhillon.  Neil has been involved in state and federal government both as a public affairs officer as well as a private consultant.  He has forged bipartisan partnerships with Congressional members, media outlets, government officials, and the President of the United States.

Neil brings a variety of skills to the table, including his mastery of:

• Political campaigns
• Speechwriting
• Strategic communications
• Coalition building
• Crisis management

Over his nearly 30-year career in the communications and governmental affairs world, Neil has done and seen more than many people experience over a lifetime.  He has been able to travel extensively and meet with people from all over the globe. His areas of expertise extend to policies and business concerns in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and in Europe.

Neil currently resides in the Washington, D.C. Metro area, where he runs a consulting firm specializing in strategic communications and public policy creation.  He also advises others on campaign strategy and speechwriting for politicians.

A Priori

Neil received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 1984 from the prestigious American University in Washington, D.C. In school, Neil was a member of both the Political Science Debate Team and the Asian American Policy forum.

Neil quickly rose to greatness, when he was appointed in 1988 to the position of Chief of Staff for United States Congressman Bob Matsui (D-CA).  During his five-year position with the Congressman, Neil managed a large and vibrant staff in both Washington and the Congressman’s home state of California. He was instrumental in orchestrating several successful reelection campaigns for the Congressman, and served as senior aide to Matsui when he was the Treasurer of the Democratic National Committee in 1992.

In 1993, Neil moved to the White House as part of the Clinton Administration.  Neil served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Governmental Affairs, liaising with many government officials, including U.S. Secretary of Transportation Frederico Pena. He reported to the Secretary on many congressional matters concerning transportation legislation, initiatives, and governmental policymaking. He was also responsible for briefing White House staff members like the White House Chief of Staff on transportation issues.

Dhillon moved to the private sector in 1998, where he was employed as the Senior Vice President of Hill & Knowlton International Public Relations (now Hill+Knowlton Strategies), engaging in strategic communications planning and implementation for this respected firm.  Nearly half of all Fortune 500 companies have worked with Hill & Knowlton, and Neil’s government expertise and relationships gave him incredible leverage to use on behalf of the firm.

After leaving Hill & Knowlton, Neil went to work for Ruder Finn, serving as Managing Director until 2008.  Ruder Finn is a global communications firm that specializes in a wide variety of communications strategies for clients in many industries, with some big names including:

• Johnson & Johnson
• Cisco
• Amgen
• McDonald’s
• The Home Depot
• Cartier
• Citi

Neil’s vast experience in handling complex communications strategies was a valuable resource for Ruder Finn, giving him the ability to work with diverse corporate interests and to help convey clients’ branding to consumers.

In 2008, Neil was appointed to the position of Managing Director and Director of Public Affairs for the powerhouse MSLGroup, a global leader in strategic communications.  Here, Neil brought his business acumen, his communications skills, and his world experience to bear for the purposes of branding campaigns, consumer engagement, and creative communication.  Some of the firm’s clients under Neil’s leadership included:

• Adidas
• Amstel Beer
• BP
• Honeywell
• Ikea
• March of Dimes
• Lufthansa

Once again, Neil’s expertise helped lead the company to success after success, assisting clients with complex communications strategies and branding initiatives.

Neil Dhillon still spends his days on the Hill, despite no longer officially working in politics. His unique expertise gives him vast consulting opportunities.

Ad Colligenda Bona

Currently, Neil Dhillon is the CEO of his own consulting firm, based in Washington, D.C.  He engages in policymaking and strategic communications initiatives for clients in government, healthcare, and corporate concerns.  Neil’s experience in speechwriting and lobbying makes him an outstanding asset for his many clients, and has led him to be involved in the exciting world of political campaign strategy while he handles global affairs for his firm.

Ex Fida Bona

During his work at the White House, President Bill Clinton singled out Neil Dhillon, recognizing him as his most valuable Asian-American aide in a special ceremony.   Another achievement Neil was recognized for is his work in drafting the language of and helping get approval for the first congressional Airline Safety Commission.

While working for Congressman Bob Matsui, Neil was instrumental in raising over $10 million for the Democratic National Committee.  His skill in raising funds led him to work in an advisory capacity on the finance team of the Presidential Inaugural Committee.

Neil is also active in volunteer work, and is highly regarded for his fundraising efforts and advisory of the American Red Cross.  Over the years, he has been a valuable counsel for the humanitarian organization, assisting in raising much-needed funding for their worldwide disaster responses.

Ipsissima Verba 

Neil is an active user of social media platforms.  His Tumblr page illustrates his passion for campaign strategy and corporate branding.  He shares his writing and presentations on a Behance portfolio, giving followers an insider’s glimpse into his long work experience. He manages a Twitter feed, communicating with nearly 10,000 followers and sharing his projects, his past work experiences, and his political expertise. Likewise, his Facebook and Google+ pages allow him to engage with a worldwide audience.

Neil’s expertise in campaign strategy led him to predict the outcomes of 2014 mid-term elections, further illustrating his acumen and experience in this dynamic arena.

Over the years, Neil has been interviewed by Time Magazine and by CNN.  His insights into the political process are thoughtful and engaging, and his 30 year career in communication stands out from the pack, ensuring that he will be sought after by politicians and corporate interests for years to come.