Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC

Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC (RHGM) is a strategic consulting firm co-founded in 2009 by four former senior U.S. national security officials: Condoleezza Rice (66th Secretary of State, 2005-2009; previously National Security Advisor 2001-2005), Stephen Hadley (National Security Advisor 2005-2009), Robert Gates (Secretary of Defense 2006-2011), and Anja Manuel (former State Department special assistant for political affairs, Asia policy). The firm previously operated under the name RiceHadleyGates LLC before adding Manuel's name. The firm's core offering is strategic advisory services for corporations seeking to expand internationally, particularly in Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. Clients include major technology companies navigating regulatory and political challenges in foreign markets, venture capital firms assessing political risk in overseas investments, and companies requiring high-level access to foreign government officials. The partners leverage their extensive government networks to facilitate meetings with senior foreign leaders and provide on-the-ground advice during business negotiations. Among the firm's AI-related work, partner Anja Manuel has become one of the leading voices on U.S.-China competition in critical technologies including AI, semiconductors, quantum computing, and biotech. She teaches technology policy at Stanford University, serves on the U.S. Department of Defense Defense Policy Board, and sits on the Applied Materials Secure Innovation Advisory Board. In 2020, Open Philanthropy provided RHGM with a grant specifically to research AI accident risk in the context of technology competition between major powers — recognizing the intersection of AI safety concerns with geopolitical dynamics. Manuel regularly speaks and writes on international technology governance and the need for U.S. leadership in the AI race. RHGM is a for-profit LLC rather than a nonprofit, and its revenue comes primarily from corporate consulting retainers and engagements. It employs an estimated 11-50 people at its Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C. offices.