Charles Knutson

Charles Knutson serves as Senior Manager, Public Policy at Amazon and leads Amazon’s government affairs in Washington state. Prior to this, Charles served as Senior Advisor for Innovation and Global Affairs to Governor Jay Inslee. In this role, he provided strategic counsel to the Governor on economic development and international issues, led policy initiatives and worked with the Washington State Departments of Commerce, Transportation and Revenue, other agencies, the Legislature, tribes and stakeholders to grow jobs across the state.
Previously, Charles served as Senior Vice President, Policy and External Relations at the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. He led the organization's policy portfolio, oversaw external affairs and managed all business functions. Earlier in his career, Charles served as Vice President, Public Affairs at the Seattle Chamber, and led marketing and government affairs at a multinational infrastructure consulting firm.
With 20 years of experience in plan development, strategic communication and campaigns, Charles has played a central role in securing some of the largest economic development and infrastructure investments in Washington state history. Throughout these efforts, Charles has worked collaboratively with a cross-section of stakeholders to establish and grow result-oriented coalitions dedicated to improving regional mobility, investing in education and advancing economic growth.
Charles grew up in the Puget Sound, and received a Diplôme Superieur from the University of Paris, the Sorbonne, and a BA magna cum laude from New York University. Later, Charles was selected as a Rhodes Scholarship finalist and went to graduate school at Oxford. He’s a Leadership Tomorrow alumnus, a 40 under 40 award recipient and a Marshall Fellow. An avid mountaineer, Charles has crossed Washington state on foot, and completed 900 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail between Mexico and Canada. He lives with his wife and two sons in Seattle.