Contact Public Private Strategies Institute

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Rhett Buttle | President, Public Private Strategies Institute

Rhett Buttle is a national leader working at the intersection of business, the economy, and public policy. As President of the Public Private Strategies Institute, and Founder & CEO of Public Private Strategies (PPS) he partners with companies, nonprofits, philanthropy, and policymakers to advance entrepreneurship, expand economic opportunity, and strengthen cross-sector collaboration. Rhett is widely recognized for building coalitions that support entrepreneurs and help communities navigate a rapidly changing economy.

Leadership and Public Service

Rhett has held senior roles shaping policy and economic engagement for the White House Business Council, a governor’s office, and multiple presidential campaigns. In these positions, he worked closely with business leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to advance policies that promote economic mobility, innovation, and growth across the United States.

Public Private Strategies

Rhett founded Public Private Strategies to bring together the public and private sectors and build partnerships that drive policy and market outcomes. Under his leadership, PPS has played a central role in creating and supporting national initiatives including:

Small Business for America’s Future, a national coalition advocating for policies that support small businesses and economic growth
The Small Business Roundtable, the nation’s largest coalition of small business organizations
The Entrepreneurship Exchange, a global platform that connects business leaders to promote commerce and economic diplomacy
The Small Business Innovation Summit, an annual convening of entrepreneurs, policymakers, and business leaders spotlighting innovation, policy, and the future of small business

The Next Gen Chamber of Commerce, future-forward national chamber advancing innovation, leadership, and opportunity for the next generation of business leaders

Through PPS, Rhett advises corporations, philanthropic organizations, and nonprofits on strategies that support small business growth, workforce development, innovation, and long-term economic competitiveness.

Senior Fellow at the Aspen Institute

Rhett serves as a Senior Fellow at the Aspen Institute, where he contributes to the Institute’s economic programming and the Aspen Ideas Festival. He is part of the founding team behind Aspen’s economic forum and helps shape discussions related to the future of work, economic mobility, and entrepreneurship.

Media

Rhett is a contributor to Forbes, where he writes on economic policy, small business, and public-private collaboration. His commentary and analysis frequently appear in major outlets including CNN, Fortune, Inc., Fast Company, and others.