Title:Then & Now: Sam Khichi (B’90) on the impact of philosophy at Georgetown

Sam Khichi is the executive vice president, chief policy officer, and general counsel of CVS Health, a Fortune 6 company. After graduating from Georgetown with a degree in business administration, Khichi served as a field artillery officer in the U.S. Army and a reserve intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy, and he was a White House Fellow under President George W. Bush. Find out about how his liberal arts education “serves as an anchor” in his life.

Then & Now is a storytelling series that gives Hoyas the opportunity to reflect on Georgetown’s role in their lives through time.

Then

What values were you introduced to (or were reinforced) at Georgetown?

Attending an institution with such a rich history as Georgetown—which has produced some remarkable individuals—instills a profound sense of awe and gratitude. It’s a unique place that fosters humility and reminds you that you are part of a larger community. My time at Georgetown expanded my worldview, helping me appreciate our interconnectedness and the importance of service and giving back. The values I embraced there are ones I draw upon every day.

Tell us about the important relationships you developed at Georgetown.

The professors at Georgetown left a lasting impact on me. Sometimes, the significance of their influence becomes clearer over time as we continue to grow. For instance, Father James Schall (G’60) introduced me to the great philosophical classics, which continue to shape my thinking today. My passion for thinkers like Marcus Aurelius, Plato, Socrates, and St. Augustine was ignited during my studies. 

I carry a copy of Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations with me everywhere, and during my military service, these classics helped me reconcile my role as a military officer with my Jesuit education. Now, as an executive, they are foundational in helping me understand a broader global perspective.

The liberal arts education—especially in classics, history, and philosophy—serves as an anchor for how I lead, orient, and conduct myself both at work and in life. It has really been incredibly impactful.

What was your daily routine like in college?

My college life was quite busy. I balanced attending classes with working over 20 hours a week to help with finances. I was on an ROTC scholarship, which was the only way I was able to afford Georgetown, and I worked at the Third Edition, a legendary establishment that no longer exists. I also participated in sports for a couple of years. My demanding schedule required strict time management and, importantly, the support of friends and faculty.

Now

Are there Georgetown values that you’ve implemented in your daily life?

My values are deeply rooted in my immigrant background, the Jesuit principles I learned at Georgetown, and my military experience. I embrace a philosophy of servant leadership which inverts the traditional pyramid of leadership to emphasize that leaders exist to serve others and enable their success and fulfillment. This approach fosters humility, inclusion, and a focus on a broader purpose. It has profoundly shaped how I lead and engage with my team.

At Georgetown, I learned the importance of purpose and mission—lessons that were reinforced in the military and now, in a corporate setting, serve as effective tools for aligning large, diverse teams around a mission that values individuals and engages them in a collective goal. It’s remarkable what a team can achieve when focused on a purpose greater than themselves.

How do you stay connected to your Hoya community now?

In my wedding, four of my groomsmen were Georgetown classmates. I’m fortunate to have developed strong friendships that have endured over the years. I have a close-knit group of about 15 friends who have been in the same fantasy football league for the last 17 years. With another group, we get together for golf weekends and mini reunions in various parts of the country. The friendships forged at Georgetown are truly lifelong.

The Georgetown Office of Advancement and the alumni organizations provide numerous opportunities for us to connect and give back to the community at various stages of our lives and I encourage all alumni to get involved. 

As an example, I recently had dinner with the Georgetown Scholars Program, an incredibly inspiring group of young men and women. And most recently, through the CVS Health Foundation, we are supporting the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown and its Fund for Experiential Learning, to help military-connected graduate students pursue meaningful professional experiences and unpaid internships through financial assistance. 

What is your daily routine like now?

Given the size of CVS Health, which employs over 300,000 colleagues, I work from one of our offices on weekdays to foster in-person engagement with not just with my team but with other stakeholders which also facilitates collaboration. I benefited greatly from in-person interactions with mentors and leaders, and I believe it’s essential to be available and set an example for developing the next generation of talent and leadership.

I travel to different locations about two to three weeks each month, but I make it a priority to be home on weekends to spend quality time with my family. I also maintain a disciplined CrossFit routine four to five times a week to support my physical and mental health.

Additionally, I’m an avid reader—I aim to read one or two books each month on a broad range of topics, including biographies and history. This love of learning and intellectual curiosity was inculcated in me at Georgetown.

Now that I’m 57 and recognize the blessings of my Georgetown education and the support of great mentors, I’m intentional about giving back. It’s important to me to set aside time to stay connected not only to the Georgetown community, but also to the next generation of leaders. I help young professionals with resume reviews and career advice, believing that those starting out today will one day lead our country and institutions. Investing in them, even in small ways, can yield significant returns, and I hope they will pay it forward in the future.