Ashley Etienne
Ashley Etienne | |
|---|---|
| Communications Director for the Vice President | |
| Assumed office January 20, 2021 | |
| Vice President | Kamala Harris |
| Deputy | Herbie Ziskend |
| Preceded by | Katie Miller |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ashley Danielle Etienne February 21, 1978 Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Nigel Stephens |
| Education | Sam Houston State University (BA) Johns Hopkins University (MA) |
Ashley Danielle Etienne[1] (born 1978)[2] is an American political advisor serving as the communications director for Vice President Kamala Harris. She is the former communications director and senior advisor to Nancy Pelosi, the first woman and person of color to hold the position of Communications Director for the House Speaker. She was also a former special assistant to Barack Obama.
Early life and education
Etienne was born in Texas.[3] Her parents are Avys Etienne Poe and John A. Foreman.[1] Etienne earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Sam Houston State University in 2000 and a Master of Arts in political communications from Johns Hopkins University.[2][4]
Career
Etienne has worked in political communications since 2001. For two year starting in 2001, she worked as communications director for Ken Bentsen, a Texas state legislature.[2][3] From 2001 to 2013, she was director of communications for the United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform, working closely with Elijah Cummings. In 2004, she was communications director for Chris Bell, followed by a stint at the Democratic National Committee as deputy director of the southern region. Etienne worked for Al Green from 2006 until 2008 as communications director. She briefly worked for Dewey Square Group in 2008 before joining the Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign as a spokesperson. She also ran her own communications firm briefly in 2009. In 2013, she became deputy director of communications for Nancy Pelosi focusing on freshman congress-members and their messaging.[2]
After Obama won the election, she served as director of communications for the Obama's cabinet and special assistant to Obama. After Trump won the election, she made plans to relocate to the West Coast.[5]
Nancy Pelosi offered Etienne a job as communications director and senior advisor.[5] Etienne discussed the opportunity with Cummings, who told her that she should return to Washington and take the job.[5] Upon acceptance, Etienne became the first woman and first person of color to hold the position.[6] During her tenure, she oversaw Democratic messaging for the Impeachment of Donald Trump.[5]
In August 2020, she was recruited by Anita Dunn to serve as senior adviser for strategic planning for the Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign.[5]
Etienne will serve as the communications director to Vice President Kamala Harris starting January 20, 2021.
Personal life
Etienne married Nigel Stephens on March 27, 2015, at Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C. Etienne is Baptist.[1]
References
- ^ a b c "Ashley Etienne and Nigel Stephens (Published 2015)". The New York Times. 29 March 2015. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ^ a b c d Struglinski, Suzanne; Young, Samantha (2013). The Almanac of the Unelected, 2013: Staff of the U.S. Congress. Bernan Press. p. 11. ISBN 978-1-59888-632-0. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ^ a b Barron-Lopez, Laura (14 September 2011). "Hill Climbers: How to Climb Up Capitol Hill’s Employment Ladder". Roll Call. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
- ^ "Ashley Etienne Stephens '00". Sam Houston State University. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Tracy, Abigail (26 August 2020). ""If I Can Unseat Him, That Would Be Incredible": Political Strategist Ashley Etienne May Be Biden's Deadliest Weapon Against Trump". Vanity Fair. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
- ^ Coleman, Justine (29 November 2020). "Biden announces first all-female White House communications team". TheHill. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
External links
- Ashley Etienne's profile on the Biden-Harris transition website