ASHLEIGH ETIENNE

Widely recognized as the “queen of the war room” and “Obama’s bad-news fixer,” Ashley Etienne is among the nation’s most accomplished communications strategists who possess unparalleled experience and insights into the White House, Congress, and the policies driving the national agenda. Her mastery of both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, expansive media relationships, and access to power players across industries and advocacy make her a heavy-hitter with sought-after expertise for what it takes to succeed in mission-critical settings. Her mastery of both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, expansive media relationships, and access to power players across industries and advocacy make her a heavy-hitter with sought-after expertise for what it takes to succeed in mission-critical settings.

Etienne has served as a trusted senior advisor to our nation’s most powerful leaders: Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Previously, Etienne was appointed Special Assistant to President Obama and Communications Director for the U.S. Cabinet. During this time, she led strategic communications for the President’s signature My Brother’s Keeper initiative. Prior to joining the Obama White House, Etienne held several positions in Congress, including deputy communications director for Leader Pelosi and communications director for the Oversight Committee under Ranking Member Elijah Cummings.

Etienne currently serves as a CBS News Political Contributor, leads a strategic communications firm, Etienne & Saint, and is a senior advisor at Weber Shandwick, a global strategic firm, where she counsels Fortune 100 CEOs on navigating disruption in politics, business, and society. She also served as a Spring 2022 Fellow at Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service.