Savanrith “Savan” Kong

First CXO, Department of War·Product, Design & CX Executive·Author·Host — Life Between Titles

Savanrith “Savan” Kong is an award-winning executive and the Department of Defense’s first Customer Experience Officer, leading enterprise-wide customer experience transformation. After being laid off, he founded War Room and Light-Lux. He is the author of Laid Off and Lost: How to Survive a Job Loss, Rediscover Your Identity, and Rebuild Yourself After Being Let Go, with an upcoming memoir, Halfway Light, tracing his family’s survival of the Khmer Rouge genocide and their resettlement in America, and the silence passed down between generations. He also hosts the podcast Life Between Titles, a show exploring identity, purpose, and the uncertain space between titles and jobs.

Laid Off and Lost book cover
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Laid Off and Lost.
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Savan Kong
A Podcast Network for Career Transitions

Life Between
Titles.

Honest, unscripted stories from people navigating layoffs, career pivots, burnout, and identity shifts. Three shows. 40+ conversations and counting — free everywhere you listen.

Katie Savage
SpotlightWork Unscripted · S03 E02
She Started as CIO of Maryland 8 Months Pregnant. Here's What She Built.
With Katie Savage
Authorship

Books.

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A book series under the Life Between Titles name — starting with the practical guide for surviving a layoff, and expanding into a standalone memoir and a coloring book for the same in-between space.

Available Now
Laid Off and Lost.

The whole truth about what happens when the career ends and nobody talks about it.

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In Progress
Halfway Light.

A standalone memoir tracing his family's survival of the Khmer Rouge genocide and resettlement in America.

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Coming Soon
Right-Sized.

A corporate jargon coloring book, part of the Life Between Titles book series.

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In the Press

Featured conversations.

Defense Scoop
Reflections from Savan Kong, DoD's First Ever Customer Experience Officer (CXO)

An interview with Defense Scoop, reflecting on the journey as the Department of Defense's first Chief Customer Experience Officer.

Watch the interview →
311 Public Service Podcast
Design at Scale with Savan Kong

Bringing a design mindset to pioneering the CXO role at the DoD.

Listen on Spotify →
Khmer Voices
Seeing the Power of Privilege at Play

From South Seattle and the Khmer Rouge, to Redfin's first hire, to the Pentagon.

Full episode →
Federal News Network
CX Exchange 2025: Savan Kong on Building First Pentagon CX Office from the Ground Up

Building the first Pentagon customer experience office from the ground up.

Read / watch →
The Journal

Journal.

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Entry No. 04
The Compliance Gap That's Costing Us the Mission

One of the hardest things I dealt with as CXO of the United States Department of War was not the scale of the mission. It was the gap between what the mission demanded and what the tools were actually cleared to do.

Continue reading →
Entry No. 03
The Silence Between Jobs: Finding Voice in the Search

Every job search carries a story. Behind every resume, application, or unanswered email is a person navigating hope, uncertainty, and the daily challenge of staying resilient.

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Entry No. 02
If You Want to Become a Better Leader, AI Cannot Teach You the Skills That Matter Most

Machines can scan résumés in seconds and evaluate communication patterns. But they cannot fully grasp how a leader builds trust during moments of crisis.

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Entry No. 01
Translating DoD Experience into Private Sector Success

I recently stepped away from my role as the Department of Defense's first Customer Experience Officer, and like many who have spent years in public service, I am now navigating what comes next.

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What People Say

Trusted by leaders.

Leslie Beavers

“The Department is incredibly fortunate that Savan chose to share his expertise with us. His quiet strength, generosity, and deep expertise made a lasting impact.”

Leslie Beavers — CIO, Department of Defense
John Sherman

“He is an energy-giver who is absolutely one of the most innovative thinkers — and doers — with whom I've ever served.”

John Sherman — Dean, Bush School, Texas A&M
Katie Savage

“Savan is one of my favorite people and an incredible teammate — a leader, mentor, and source of strength through a leadership transition.”

Katie Savage — Secretary, Maryland Dept. of IT
Dan Rodrigues

“Quite simply, Savan is one of the best user experience and design experts I've ever had the pleasure to work with.”

Dan Rodrigues — Co-Founder & CEO, Tebra