Ashley Etienne

Ashley Danielle Etienne (born February 21, 1978) is an American political advisor who served 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.

Ashley Etienne
Communications Director for the Vice President
In office
January 20, 2021 – December 2021
Vice PresidentKamala Harris
DeputyHerbie Ziskend
Preceded byKatie Miller
Succeeded byJamal Simmons
Personal details
Born
Ashley Danielle Etienne

(1978-02-21) February 21, 1978
Texas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseNigel Stephens
EducationSam Houston State University (BA)
Johns Hopkins University (MA)

Early life and education

Etienne was born in Texas. 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.[1][2]

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 legislator.[1][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.[1]

After Obama won the election, she served as director of communications for Obama's cabinet and special assistant to Obama. After Trump won the election, she made plans to relocate to the West Coast.[4]

Nancy Pelosi offered Etienne a job as communications director and senior advisor. 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.[7]

In August 2020, she was recruited by Anita Dunn to serve as senior adviser for strategic planning for the Joe Biden 2020 presidential campaign.[7]

Etienne served as the communications director to Vice President Kamala Harris starting on January 20, 2021. It was announced on November 18, 2021 that she would resign to pursue "other opportunities."[8][9] She left office in December 2021.[10]

Personal life

Etienne married Nigel Stephens on March 27, 2015, at Rock Creek Park in Washington, D.C. Etienne is Baptist.[11]

References
  1. 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.
  2. "Ashley Etienne Stephens '00". Sam Houston State University. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  3. Barron-Lopez, Laura (14 September 2011). "Hill Climbers: How to Climb Up Capitol Hill's Employment Ladder". Roll Call. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  4. Abigail Tracy. (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 website Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  5. Tracy, 2020
  6. Coleman, Justine (29 November 2020). "Biden announces first all-female White House communications team". The Hill. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  7. 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.
  8. Wright, Jasmine; Vazquez, Maegan (2021-12-02). "Symone Sanders, Harris' chief spokesperson, to leave White House". CNN. Retrieved 2021-12-02.
  9. Abigail Tracy. (18 November 2021)."Top Kamala Harris aid heads for the exit". Vanity Fair website Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  10. "Ashley Etienne". LinkedIn. Retrieved 2023-01-14.
  11. "Ashley Etienne and Nigel Stephens (Published 2015)". The New York Times. 29 March 2015. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
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