Peter Selfridge

Peter Selfridge is the Global Head of Government and Public Affairs for SAP, a position that oversees public policy, government relations, and corporate social responsibility functions for the company. Peter is responsible for promoting technological transformation in the public sector and the positive role played by digital technologies in addressing economic and societal challenges globally. He also drives SAP’s CSR strategy as a key contributor to the company’s overall sustainability framework. Peter previously served as President Barack Obama’s representative to the foreign diplomatic corps posted in Washington, D.C. as his Chief of Protocol. His other duties included greeting visiting foreign leaders; supporting presidential delegations overseas; and planning and executing high-level summits and multilateral events. Formerly, Peter served as President Obama’s Advance and Operations Director, a position he managed for Vice President Biden in the first term of the administration. He began his career in Washington, D.C. as a staff member for U.S. Senator Tom Harkin, and later served as a scheduling assistant to President William J. Clinton and as a policy advisor to the New York City government. Peter served on the presidential campaigns of Al Gore, John Kerry, and Barack Obama, and is no stranger to the private sector having worked for Citigate Communications as well as Rendezvous Consulting where he helped clients develop and execute their communications and public affairs strategies. In 2007, he worked at the William J. Clinton Foundation as the organization’s city director in Los Angeles. In addition to his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Iowa, Peter holds a Master’s Degree in International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University. He is a native of Minnesota and is married to Parita Shah. They currently reside in Paris, France with their young daughter.