Political News Contributor, Former Senior Advisor to Presidents Obama and Biden, Vice President Harris, and Speaker Pelosi
Ashley Etienne: Biography at a Glance
- Widely recognized as the “queen of the war room,” Ashley Etienne possesses unparalleled experience and insights into the White House, Congress, and the policies driving the national agenda.
- She 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. She currently serves as a CBS News Contributor.
- Etienne was recognized by the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum for her groundbreaking career, as she was the first woman, and person of color, to serve as the Communication Director for the U.S. Speaker of the House and Vice President of the United States.
- Etienne offers balanced viewpoints on hot-button issues of the day and their potential to shape America’s future while tying in fascinating anecdotes of her experiences behind the scenes working side-by-side with America’s most powerful leaders.
- With her vast experience, Etienne launched a strategic communications firm, Etienne & Saint, and serves as a senior advisor at Weber Shandwick, where she counsels top executives on navigating disruption in politics, business, and society.
- A barrier-breaking and game-changing presence in politics and public affairs, Etienne is a sought-after speaker to address the most pressing policy, economic, and social issues facing the nation.
Videos
Biography
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.
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. For more than 15 years, she has specialized in facilitating high-stakes communications strategies to address the most pressing policy, economic, and social issues facing the nation. 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.
Having worked side-by-side with America’s most powerful leaders, Etienne presents insights and ideas on politics, policy, and society from unexpected viewpoints, spurring audience members to reflect upon our shared beliefs and values. She offers balanced viewpoints on hot-button issues of the day and their potential to shape America’s future while tying in truly fascinating anecdotes of her experiences behind the scenes and at the center of history. Her talks take a compelling route as she relates the current disruption in politics to the disruption in business and society. She elevates the conversation to break through partisanship, division, and deception toward progress and to examine the influence of power, agency, and leadership on our politics today.
Etienne most recently served as deputy assistant to President Biden and communications director for Vice President Harris. Before returning to the White House, Etienne was the communications director and senior advisor to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the first woman and person of color to hold the position. While in this role, she led the communications strategy that resulted in the historic 2018 midterm victory for House Democrats and the reelection of Speaker Pelosi – and the first impeachment and trial of President Trump, which was integral to Biden winning the presidency.
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 was recognized by the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum for her barrier-breaking career accomplishments and the game-changing legacy she leaves. She recently launched a strategic communications firm, Etienne & Saint, and serves as a senior advisor at Weber Shandwick, a global strategic communication and consulting firm, where she counsels top executives on navigating disruption in politics, business, and society. Etienne also shares her insights and expertise as a political contributor on CBS News and recently served as a Spring 2022 Fellow at Georgetown University’s Institute of Politics and Public Service. She holds a Master of Arts in political communications from Johns Hopkins University and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Sam Houston State University.
Topics
Analyzing the Power Dynamics of Our Nation’s Leaders
As one of the nation’s most accomplished communicators working at the hotbed of politics and policy, Ashley Etienne has worked alongside our country’s highest-ranking leaders as they sought to develop solutions to the critical issues of the era. In addition to being a driving force in some of the most impactful events of our time, she has had a front-row seat in observing the ways in which transformational leaders, from Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden to Vice President Kamala Harris and Speaker Nancy Pelosi operate, as well as what sets them apart from other people in power. Drawing from fascinating firsthand experiences from her groundbreaking career in the White House and Congress, Etienne shares a compelling analysis of the power dynamics at play in the world of politics, zeroes in on the traits that make for the most impactful leaders and relates her insights and expertise to leadership in any organization.
Politics from the Inside
A powerhouse communications strategist and political affairs professional, Ashley Etienne served as a trusted advisor to our nation’s highest-ranking officials and possesses an unmatched, insider’s understanding of the issues shaping today’s political landscape. As a former advisor to Presidents Obama and Biden, Vice President Harris, and Speaker Pelosi, she tackles the political headlines of the day from unexpected viewpoints while sharing balanced insights and analysis on everything going on in and around Washington.
Breaking Glass Ceilings in War Rooms: A Guide for Women in Leadership
At the outset of her career, Ashley Etienne moved to Washington, D.C. with the goal of driving change in the political sphere, but no defined path for doing so. Climbing the political ladder in the years that followed, she became a widely respected communications strategist, eventually becoming known as the “queen of the war room.” She has the distinct honor of being the only person to serve as the top communications advisor for the two highest-ranking women in American politics: Vice President Harris and Speaker Pelosi. She witnessed and helped them navigate the challenges of being the firsts, power dynamics, sexism, and racism at play in the political arena and society.
A trailblazer in her own right, as the first woman and person of color to serve in these roles, she leads an empowering discussion about the lessons she has learned as a woman in leadership, working at the highest levels of government. She shares valuable action steps and strategies for women navigating their own leadership journeys.
Mastering Communication for Success
Among the nation’s most accomplished communications strategists, Ashley Etienne is widely recognized as the “queen of the war room” and “Obama’s bad-news fixer.” She has facilitated high-stakes communications strategies to address the most pressing policy, economic, and social issues facing our world. She draws from her experiences advising the nation’s highest-ranking elected leaders, and as an advisor to Fortune 100 executives, to share forward, edgy, and innovative strategies any organization can implement to leverage communications to achieve their strategic goals in complex, disruptive environments.
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FAQs
How do I book Ashley Etienne for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book Ashley Etienne to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
Quick booking process- Email CAA Speakers with event details
- Get availability confirmation within 24 hours
- Review speaking fee and contract terms
- Sign agreement and finalize logistics
As one of the most influential talent agencies in the world, CAA handles all speaking engagements from contract to event day coordination.
Who is Ashley Etienne's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for Ashley Etienne’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all Ashley Etienne in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact Ashley Etienne's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: caa.com/caaspeakers
- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check Ashley Etienne's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Ashley Etienne, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Ashley Etienne's speaking fee?
Ashley Etienne's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Ashley Etienne's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
- Travel distance and logistics
- Presentation length and customization
- Virtual vs. in-person delivery
Additional costs: Travel, accommodation, A/V requirements, and optional meet-and-greets.
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for Ashley Etienne's current speaking fee and detailed cost breakdown.
How much does it cost to book Ashley Etienne as a keynote speaker?
The cost to book Ashley Etienne as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
Total booking cost includes:- Ashley Etienne's keynote speaking fee
- Travel and accommodation
- Technical requirements and A/V setup
- Optional add-ons like book signing and meet & greets
- Virtual presentations
- Local/regional events
- Off-peak booking periods
- Flexible event dates
Email speakers@caa.com for Ashley Etienne's exact booking cost and customized pricing proposal.
How to contact Ashley Etienne for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Ashley Etienne speaking engagements.
Official contact for Ashley Etienne bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/ashley-etienne
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Ashley Etienne.
Is Ashley Etienne available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Ashley Etienne speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
Ashley Etienne's virtual event options:- Live virtual keynotes with Q&A
- Interactive workshops and breakouts
- Hybrid events (in-person + virtual)
- Pre-recorded presentations
Virtual events offer global reach, flexible scheduling, and reduced travel costs while maintaining Ashley Etienne's engaging presentation quality.
Contact CAA Speakers for Ashley Etienne's virtual event availability and technical specifications.
What events can I book Ashley Etienne for?
Book Ashley Etienne for corporate conferences, industry events, private functions, and virtual presentations. Ashley Etienne customizes content for any audience size or event type.
Event types:- Corporate meetings and conferences
- Industry summits and trade shows
- Private executive retreats
- Educational institution events
- Virtual and hybrid conferences
Ashley Etienne engages audiences from private executive meetings to large conferences with thousands of attendees.
Contact CAA Speakers to discuss how Ashley Etienne can customize their presentation for your specific event.
Ashley Etienne booking information and availability
Check Ashley Etienne's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
- Speaking fee and budget
- Lead time for booking
- Peak conference seasons
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure Ashley Etienne for your preferred event date.
Book Ashley Etienne keynote speaker through CAA
Book Ashley Etienne through CAA Speakers for guaranteed authentic representation and professional event coordination. CAA is the preferred booking agent for Ashley Etienne, with direct access to their speaking availability and decades of experience representing the world’s top keynote speakers.
CAA booking advantages:- Direct access to Ashley Etienne's calendar
- 24-hour availability confirmations
- Professional contract negotiation
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- Industry-leading client service
Trusted by Fortune 500 companies for their most important speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com to book Ashley Etienne for your next event.
Will Ashley Etienne speak at private events?
Yes, Ashley Etienne speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
- Client entertainment and VIP gatherings
- Corporate celebrations and award ceremonies
- Private dinners and exclusive functions
Private event benefits: Customized content, enhanced interaction, complete confidentiality, and flexible scheduling.
Contact CAA Speakers for Ashley Etienne's private event availability and confidential pricing proposals.
How quickly will I get a response about booking Ashley Etienne?
CAA Speakers responds to Ashley Etienne booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
- Detailed pricing proposal: 48-72 hours
- Urgent requests: Same-day priority response
Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Ashley Etienne?
Book Ashley Etienne 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Ashley Etienne pricing information?
Get Ashley Etienne pricing information by contacting CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com with your event details. Receive detailed cost breakdown within 24-48 hours with no obligation to book.
For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
- Audience size and type
- Event format and duration
- Budget parameters
CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.