Former President, The Washington Post
Founding Director, Georgetown Law
I work with leaders who have built something real and are ready to think clearly about what comes next.
I learned how to earn admiration long before I learned how to let myself be known.
I spent nearly three decades at The Washington Post, the last fourteen years as President and General Manager. I led the company through its sale to Jeff Bezos and was named the most innovative media company in the world by Fast Company. As a board member of Classified Ventures, I helped guide the development and scaling of Cars.com and Apartments.com.
I am the Founding Director of the Business Law Scholars Program at Georgetown Law School, where I also teach. I serve on the board of AvalonBay Communities. The work I do now — consulting, coaching, and writing — grows directly from those decades of building, leading, and occasionally reckoning with what all of it actually cost.
I live in Chevy Chase, Maryland with my wife Joslyn.
I work with companies navigating disruption, transformation, and the specific challenges that come with leading through rapid change. My consulting engagements are hands-on and direct — I think alongside leadership teams, not at them.
I work exclusively with C-level executives. The coaching I offer is informed by decades of leading at the highest levels and by nearly a hundred conversations with founders, CEOs, athletes, and senators about what drive builds, what it costs, and what comes next.
Engagements are by referral. Fees on a day rate or engagement basis. Inquire here.
For high-achieving people who have succeeded by every measure that mattered — and sense the distance between a life that looks complete and one that feels complete.
"This is a phenomenal book. Filled with insight, humor, relevant research, and bullseye anecdotes."
"Success has many fathers...and drivers. Steve Hills's insightful interviews and excellent analysis reveal what motivates, and sometimes undermines, the most successful amongst us."
"This book gave me hope and knowledge that my situation is not unusual. Successful people share the same dilemma: how do you define success?"
"Steve is a clear and insightful creative thinker and strategist who is also very talented. I recommend Steve highly. Steve is also just simply a good man and fun to be around."
"Steve is one of the smartest and wisest people I know. He has excellent business judgment. Steve is also a great guy and a pleasure to work with."
"Steve has the unusual ability to combine his exceptional business acumen with his understanding of human motivation — a talent that has had a significant impact on our success."
"Steve's counsel has been invaluable and has changed the trajectory of my career. He helped me tackle seemingly intractable business problems and made me a more empathetic, thoughtful, strategic and impactful leader."
"Proven to be an invaluable consulting resource — a keen ability to cut through complexity and deliver both good process and the right outcomes."
"One of the most relevant and dynamic presenters we have had to date. I'm grateful for the role you played in making this year's convention a success."
For consulting, coaching, speaking, or general inquiries.