Keith Krach. Entrepreneur. Public servant. Technology diplomacy leader.
Keith J. Krach, widely known as Keith Krach, is an entrepreneur, former U.S. diplomat, and civic leader whose career has focused on building companies, institutions, and alliances at the intersection of technology, trust, and freedom.
He currently serves as CEO of Freedom 250, Chairman and Co-Founder of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue, and Chairman of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council. He previously served as U.S. Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Chairman and CEO of DocuSign, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of Ariba, and Co-Chair of the Global Tech Security Commission.
Krach’s work spans entrepreneurship, public service, technology diplomacy, higher education, philanthropy, and civic leadership. Across those roles, his focus has remained consistent: building trusted institutions, strengthening freedom, and helping the next generation of leaders meet the defining challenges of their time.
Official Bio & Resources
Official biography, current roles, public-service highlights, selected sources, and media contact information.
Public Service and Technology Diplomacy
In 2019, Krach was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment. In that role, he led economic-security initiatives focused on trusted technology, supply-chain resilience, strategic technology sectors, and U.S. leadership in the global technology competition.
As Under Secretary, Krach helped launch the Clean Network, a State Department initiative focused on trusted technology and secure networks. He also advanced U.S.-Taiwan economic and technology cooperation, supported efforts to strengthen semiconductor supply chains, and promoted trusted technology partnerships among democratic nations.
Following his government service, Krach co-founded the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue to advance the field of technology diplomacy. The Institute helps leaders understand the national-security, economic, and values-based dimensions of emerging technologies including AI, semiconductors, quantum, 5G, biotech, and critical infrastructure.
Freedom 250
CEO
Keith serves as CEO of Freedom 250, helping lead a national, nonpartisan effort to commemorate the United States’ 250th anniversary through civic participation, history, service, education, sports, innovation, and experiences that bring Americans together.
Freedom 250 creates opportunities for Americans to honor the nation’s history, celebrate the present, and help shape its next chapter. The initiative brings together leaders and organizations across government, business, education, sports, media, philanthropy, and community life.
Keith views the anniversary as more than a commemoration. It is an opportunity to strengthen civic pride, encourage service, and invite the next generation to help build the country’s future.
Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue
Keith is Chairman and Co-Founder of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue. The Institute advances technology diplomacy by bringing together technology expertise, business leadership, and foreign-policy strategy to help trusted technology strengthen freedom, security, and prosperity.
Its work includes education, policy engagement, trusted-technology partnerships, and global convenings. Through the Tech Diplomacy Academy, it provides training and practical resources for government, business, and civil-society leaders navigating rapidly changing technologies.
U.S.-Taiwan Business Council
Chairman
Keith serves as Chairman of the U.S.-Taiwan Business Council, where he works with Council leadership, member companies, and partners in the United States and Taiwan to strengthen trade, investment, technology cooperation, economic security, and trusted commercial relationships.
His work with the Council builds on his public-service focus on semiconductors, resilient supply chains, trusted technology, and the strategic importance of the U.S.-Taiwan economic relationship. As Chairman, he has led delegations and engagement focused on artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, energy, infrastructure, investment, entrepreneurship, and commercial cooperation.
Explore Keith Krach’s U.S.-Taiwan Business Council leadership ➜
Global Tech Security Commission
Former Co-Chair
Krach served as Co-Chair of the Global Tech Security Commission, a multi-year initiative chartered by the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue with bipartisan support from Congress and international partners.
The Commission brought together a global network of more than 200 public- and private-sector experts to examine the technological landscape and develop recommendations to accelerate the innovation, deployment, and adoption of trustworthy critical and emerging technologies.
Ariba
Krach co-founded Ariba in 1996 and served as Chairman and CEO. Ariba became a pioneering business-to-business e-commerce company and helped define a new category of enterprise technology.
Ariba’s platform helped companies transform procurement, commerce, and supply-chain operations through digital networks. The company went public in 1999 and became one of the most recognized enterprise technology companies of the internet era.
Krach’s experience building Ariba shaped his approach to large-scale networks, category creation, and trusted digital infrastructure.
Rasna, Benchmark Capital, and Early Silicon Valley Career
Earlier in his Silicon Valley career, Krach was a founding team member and COO of Rasna Corporation, a mechanical design automation software company later sold to PTC.
He also served as an entrepreneur-in-residence at Benchmark Capital and held leadership and advisory roles across technology companies and boards. His career in Silicon Valley focused on building teams, scaling categories, and applying technology to transform how organizations work.
Read Business Insider’s profile of Keith Krach’s Silicon Valley journey ➜
General Motors and GMF Robotics
Krach began his career at General Motors, where he became the company’s youngest-ever vice president at age 26.
At GM, he helped launch GMF Robotics, a joint venture between General Motors and FANUC. The experience shaped his early understanding of industrial technology, U.S.-Japan technology cooperation, robotics, manufacturing, and leadership at scale.
Krach has often credited his early years in his father’s machine shop and his time at GM with shaping his practical approach to leadership, technology, and problem solving.
Read Purdue’s profile of Keith Krach’s manufacturing leadership ➜
Purdue University and Higher Education
Krach earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University and later served as Chairman of the Purdue Board of Trustees.
As Board Chair, he was involved in major university leadership and strategic initiatives, including the recruitment of Mitch Daniels as Purdue’s 12th president. Purdue later named the Krach Leadership Center in recognition of his support for student leadership and development.
Krach also received an honorary doctorate in engineering from Purdue. His long relationship with the university continued through the creation of the Krach Institute for Tech Diplomacy at Purdue.
Read Purdue’s account of Keith Krach’s service as Board Chair ➜
Harvard Business School
Krach earned an MBA from Harvard Business School after receiving a fellowship from General Motors.
His career has since connected business leadership, entrepreneurship, technology, and public service. He has been recognized by the Harvard Business School Association of Northern California as its 2019 Business Leader of the Year.
Philanthropy and Leadership Development
Krach’s philanthropic and civic work has focused on leadership development, opportunity, education, and technology for good.
At DocuSign, he helped establish the DocuSign IMPACT Foundation, supporting nonprofits through technology and operational resources. He has also supported leadership scholarships at Purdue and initiatives focused on mentorship, student development, and civic leadership.
He founded the Global Mentor Network, a platform designed to share leadership lessons and practical insights from experienced leaders with emerging leaders and students.
