I am an entrepreneur, public servant, and educator working to strengthen American competitiveness, expand opportunity, and help leaders and institutions navigate a rapidly changing world.
I am currently writing a memoir on my journey, and on what it will take to reinvigorate American citizenship. Bringing together experience in technology, business, government, and education to address the forces shaping America's economic future.
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Areas of Leadership
Public Service
His leadership spans senior federal service at the U.S. Small Business Administration and Department of State, launching California Entrepreneurship Taskforce, teaching at the University of Texas at Austin, and founding the LBJ Business Policy Forum.
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Business & Technology
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Federal leadership at home and abroad.
As Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and Special Representative at the U.S. Department of State, Dilawar helped lead the federal response to expand opportunity, coordinate disaster recovery, and advance American commercial interests abroad.
From communities rebuilding after hurricanes and wildfires to bilateral engagements negotiating market access overseas, the work reflects a record of execution, impact, and service.
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Teaching at UT Austin
Preparing the next generation of business and policy leaders.
Dilawar teaches at UT's LBJ School of Public Affairs and McCombs School of Business at the intersection of strategy, industrial policy, and technology, bringing executive and public service experience into the classroom at one of America's premier public research universities.
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Founded by Dilawar Syed
LBJ Business Policy Forum
Convening business leaders, policymakers, and scholars to advance actionable ideas that strengthen American competitiveness and economic opportunity.
The Forum launched a six-event series in fall 2025, opening with "Winning the AI Race" — convening leaders across business, government, and academia at the LBJ School.
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Forthcoming Memoir
An immigrant's journey through entrepreneurship, public service, and the heart of American power.
My memoir is a timely and personal account of American leadership, told through my journey as an immigrant entrepreneur who rose to the highest levels of public service.
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