A Seat at the Table

“From the trade negotiations with China to implementing the CARES Act during the pandemic, Mitchell Silk played a critical role during some of the most challenging economic moments in recent history.” —Steven T. Mnuchin, 77th Secretary of the US Treasury From his earliest beginnings as a dishwasher in a Chinese restaurant to his work in international law and finance, Mitchell Silk’s story illustrates how perseverance and divine providence led him to become the first Hassidic Jew ever confirmed by the Senate for a position in the US Federal government and a consequential leader in Trump’s Treasury. Mitchell Silk served as assistant secretary for International Markets at the US Department of the Treasury, and was the first Hassidic Jew to ever serve in a presidentially-nominated and Senate-confirmed role. His inspirational story is about the providence, perseverance, and personal touch it takes to bring about positive change in the world. During his thirty-year legal career, Mitchell developed deep expertise in banking, finance, energy, and infrastructure. He advised on many large cross-border capital-intensive landmark energy and infrastructure projects all over the world. As assistant secretary in the Treasury, Mitchell played a senior role in the trade negotiations with China, designed and implemented both the landmark América Crecé initiative and the Trump 45 Administration signature program in the Western Hemisphere that spurred infrastructure growth through private capital solutions in Latin America and beyond, and spearheaded the $94 billion program that saved the airline industry during COVID. While personal touch and faith in positive outcomes are not often considered de rigueur when it comes to assembling a top-shelf toolkit for international economic policy and diplomacy, they were an essential part of Mitchell’s experience. You will see that good intentions, kindness, and understanding—not to mention a delicious meal shared between friends and enemies—have a unique ability to bridge cultural differences and achieve peace and prosperity.