In the late 1980s, Kansteiner was appointed Director of Economic Studies at the Institute on Religion and Democracy.

[2] In May 1989, Kansteiner joined the State Department's policy planning staff as Africa director.

He served in this position until June 1991, when he moved to the National Security Council as director for African affairs.

[1] As a founding principal of The Scowcroft Group,[3] Kansteiner has advised corporations on mergers, acquisitions and privatizations throughout Africa in the telecommunications, forestry, mining, financial services, health care, and aviation industries.

[4] Kansteiner is on the board of directors of the Corporate Council on Africa,[8] African Development Foundation,[9] and Sierra Rutile.