Max Stier

President and CEO

As the founding president and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service, Max has overseen the creation and growth of a network connecting more than 1,000 colleges and universities with 80 federal agencies; a center focusing on the presidential transition; an awards program that recognizes exceptional civil servants for their extraordinary accomplishments; annual rankings that examine employee engagement; numerous leadership development programs; and more. 

Before coming to the Partnership he worked in each of the three branches of federal government. In the summer of 1982, he served on the personal staff of Congressman Jim Leach. In 1992, he clerked for Chief Judge James Oakes of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, and in 1994 for Justice David Souter of the U.S. Supreme Court. Between these two positions, he served as special litigation counsel to Assistant Attorney General Anne Bingaman at the Department of Justice. In 1995, Stier joined the law firm of Williams & Connolly, where he practiced primarily in the area of white-collar defense. And in his most recent federal position, Max served as the deputy general counsel for litigation at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

While in the executive branch, Max realized just how much influence great leaders have on improving their organizations. While at Justice, he started a paralegal program modeled after the private sector and watched as an influx of talented young graduates energized and transformed the agency’s culture. His HUD experience underscored that skillful leaders also have a potent role in making a difference for the American public.

Max’s favorite fed is Teddy Roosevelt who, along with his many other accomplishments, is the father of the civil service.