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Karen Hughes speaker
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Karen Hughes

Counselor to President George W. Bush (2001-2002)
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About

Gender: Female
Nationality: United States
Languages: English
Travels from: United States

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Biography Highlights

  • Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs (2005-2007)
  • Principal, Message Matters
  • PRWeek Hall of Famer

Biography

One of the world’s foremost communication strategists, Karen Hughes specializes in strategic messaging, crisis communications, and executive positioning with clients ranging from global corporations to Fortune 500 CEOs. She was inducted into the PR Hall of Fame for her work as worldwide vice chair of BCW Global. Hughes has also served as counselor to President George W. Bush and Under Secretary of the State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs. As counselor to the President, she managed the White House Offices of Communications, Media Affairs, Speechwriting, and Press Secretary. As Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, she oversaw three bureaus at the Department of State: Educational and Cultural Affairs, Public Affairs, and International Information Programs, and participated in foreign policy development at the State Department. In the private sector, Hughes has served on the Microsoft Advisory Council for Policy and Politics (MAC) since 2011, as Principal of Message Matters, and as former Worldwide Vice Chair of global communications firm BCW (2008-2022). Hughes’ diverse expertise at the highest levels of communication across the public and private sectors imbues her with a compelling ability to tailor presentations to provide a directed expert perspective. 

Hughes has spoken at Boston College, Merril Lynch, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the American Hotel and Lodging Association, and many more. The Union League Club of Chicago, yet another happy host, said, “It was obvious from her remarks that she had given a great deal of thought to her address, and she touched upon all the right notes… A big home run!”

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Speaking videos

Media, podcast appearances and interviews

Popular Talks

Presidential and executive communications leader Karen Hughes shares her expertise on the five most crucial elements of communications, cultivated from her time as a reporter to her time in the White House to her current job as a counselor for corporate and political leaders, to help every audience member communicate more effectively.

Available: In person, Virtually

From 9/11 to the first US hospital to diagnose a patient with Ebola, Karen Hughes shares insights gained from a career dealing with some of the biggest crises to face our country. Regardless of the stakes, Huges coaches audiences on navigating the delicate nuances of language, ensuring impactful messaging in critical moments.

Available: In person, Virtually

Drawing from her years of advising top executives in both government and corporate spheres, Karen Hughes offers invaluable insights into navigating the complexities of leadership at the highest levels. Hughes’ strategic acumen, coupled with a keen understanding of organizational dynamics, empowers leaders to inspire, innovate, and excel in today’s ever-shifting landscape.

Available: In person, Virtually

With a nuanced understanding of both domestic and international affairs cultivated through years of bipartisan engagement, Karen Hughes provides a comprehensive analysis of where we stand in today’s world. Hughes’ balanced perspective bridges political divides, offering clarity and insights crucial for navigating the complexities of our global landscape.

Available: In person, Virtually

In this presentation geared towards empowering women, Karen Hughes emphasizes empowerment, resilience, and the importance of self-advocacy. Sharing personal anecdotes and lessons from her own journey as a leader, Hughes encourages women to embrace their strengths, pursue their ambitions, and overcome obstacles with confidence. She also highlights the value of mentorship, networking, and supporting one another in achieving collective success, inspiring women to strive for excellence in all aspects of life. Wisconsin Women in Government said, “So many people have commented that Karen Hughes was the best speaker we’ve ever had. I wholeheartedly agree!”

Available: In person, Virtually
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Testimonials

I wanted to send you a quick note about Karen Hughes's event on Wednesday. She was so lovely and we enjoyed having her here. She was candid, engaging and did a great job weaving the values and motto of BC in her talk. Her stories about her former boss, George W. certainly gave one more insight about the person he is, and it was evident that he is someone that she admires and holds in high regard. Her personal and professional narrative was fascinating to hear, and the feedback we have received so far from faculty, students, and others in the audience has been overwhelmingly positive.

Boston College

Karen (and her message) could not have been more perfect for our audience and she could not have been more gracious to our members! She was magnificent and totally hit this one out of the ballpark.

National Association of Government Communicators

Karen Hughes captivated the audience. From her style, to her energy, to the content of her remarks, our council members felt like they had worked alongside Karen on the campaign trail, even those of a different political affiliation! She took the time to arrive early to socialize with our guests, and even stayed after dinner to talk with others. Karen has an ability to connect with individuals and audiences on so many levels, and her reviews reflected it.

California Chamber of Commerce

Thank you again for the excellent presentation you gave at our Annual Convention last week. Your comments were timely and well received. Some of the written comments we are seeing about your presentation include: 'Karen Hughes is a fabulous communicator.' 'Karen Hughes is great —every convention should have her!'

California Credit Union League

Vero Beach certainly was alive with excitement and chatter about your lecture at Riverside Theatre. Thank you for all of your time and energy spent on our behalf. Your enthusiasm emanated from that stage and the audience definitely felt it. They loved your lecture on Communications 101!

The Distinguished Lecture Series of Vero Beach

Karen Hughes spoke on behalf of Washington Policy Center last night and we cannot say enough wonderful things. We've rarely had a speaker who knew so much about us, went out of their way to speak to our issues, or was as accommodating and easy to work with as was Karen Hughes. This was one of our top dinners.

The Washington Policy Center

Your speech delivered the goods and you were one of the highest rated speakers of the day.

Bakersfield Business Conference

Your presentation was the highlight of the convention! I'm sure it won't come as any surprise that you received an audience rating of 4.0 (out of 4.0), the highest of any session. Your insights and observations about the President, world events, politics, and leadership will remain with all of us for years to come.

California Grocers Association

On behalf of the American Trucking Associations (ATA), I would like to thank The Harry Walker Agency for helping make the ATA Management Conference & Exhibition an overwhelming success. Karen Hughes' presentation was well received by our audience. Her experiences and lessons learned in the White House proved very interesting to our attendees. Ms. Hughes shared her expertise in communication and leadership, two important keys to success for our attendees and their companies. She was most gracious.

American Trucking Associations

On behalf of Accenture, I want to thank you for participating in the Government Women's Leadership Forum. Your speech was excellent and you had our audience captive. Thank you for tying your speech so neatly to our conference theme. You did so with humor, candor, and fascinating personal anecdotes. Your inspirational speech, the photo session, and the second question-and-answer period made for a day that I think few will forget. I know I will not.

Accenture

She was so gracious about the pictures and meeting our attendees. They just loved her! Thank you, once again, for suggesting her to us. Her speech was an outstanding success.

The Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers

It was a great pleasure, personally and professionally, to meet you. Thank you for doing such a great job speaking and meeting with our clients. We have had so many notable speakers over the years. You really stood out and were incredibly generous with your time and energy.

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

On behalf of the Texas Bankers Association, I want to thank you for your presentation at our convention last week. The bankers were wowed by your speech. Thank you also for so graciously taking the time to visit with so many of our members. They are still talking about how personable you were that evening.

Texas Bankers Association

Books

Karen Hughes book

Ten Minutes from Normal

A New York Times bestseller from President George W. Bush’s “most essential advisor” (ABC News). An inside look at the life of Bush’s most respected aide and confidante, as she balanced her role as one of the most influential women ever to set foot in the White House against her role as a wife and mother. “The rule of thumb in any White House is that nobody is indispensable except the president,” said The New York Times, “But Karen Hughes has come as close to that description as any recent presidential aide.” Ten Minutes from Normal is the often humorous, disarmingly down-to-earth, and politically fascinating journey of her time in Bush’s inner circle. As Counselor to the President for his first eighteen months in the White House and as his communications director since he first ran for Governor of Texas in 1994, Hughes was a crucial influence. When he first moved to Washington, Bush told members of the White House staff that he wanted Karen in the room whenever any major decisions were made. Being a journalist, she was fascinated by politics and inspired by people who sought elective office to improve their communities. When she married and became the instant mother of a nine-year-old stepdaughter, she realized her priorities had changed: Family mattered, and she didn’t want to live as if it didn’t. Thus her life became one of balancing her career ambitions and her deeply felt sense of service and duty with her responsibilities and love for her family. In various Republican campaigns in Texas, she worked from home with her young son, Robert, beside her. She planned the 1990 Republican State Convention from her driveway while Robert played in the dirt at her feet. Karen tried to bring the perspective of a working mom to the White House, often asking the question she first learned as a reporter: “What does this mean to the average person?” Her exhilarating life in Washington was unlike anything she had experienced before, yet the lack of balance between her service to the President and country and her service to her family was a daily struggle. By the spring of 2002, Karen found herself in turmoil. She knew the president needed her, but her family needed her, too. Her son was not happy in Washington; neither was her husband. After much soul-searching, she concluded that she could do a better job of serving the president from Texas than of serving her family from Washington. “I love you, Mr. President,” she told him, “but I have to move my family back to Texas.” She continued to serve Bush from her home in Austin and laughed about the so-called “balance” she found. When she looked at the wall calendar in her kitchen, she found the State of the Union address side by side with her son’s orthodontist appointments.

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Ten Minutes from Normal

A New York Times bestseller from President George W. Bush’s “most essential advisor” (ABC News). An inside look at the life of Bush’s most respected aide and confidante, as she balanced her role as one of the most influential women ever to set foot in the White House against her role as a wife and mother. “The rule of thumb in any White House is that nobody is indispensable except the president,” said The New York Times, “But Karen Hughes has come as close to that description as any recent presidential aide.” Ten Minutes from Normal is the often humorous, disarmingly down-to-earth, and politically fascinating journey of her time in Bush’s inner circle. As Counselor to the President for his first eighteen months in the White House and as his communications director since he first ran for Governor of Texas in 1994, Hughes was a crucial influence. When he first moved to Washington, Bush told members of the White House staff that he wanted Karen in the room whenever any major decisions were made. Being a journalist, she was fascinated by politics and inspired by people who sought elective office to improve their communities. When she married and became the instant mother of a nine-year-old stepdaughter, she realized her priorities had changed: Family mattered, and she didn’t want to live as if it didn’t. Thus her life became one of balancing her career ambitions and her deeply felt sense of service and duty with her responsibilities and love for her family. In various Republican campaigns in Texas, she worked from home with her young son, Robert, beside her. She planned the 1990 Republican State Convention from her driveway while Robert played in the dirt at her feet. Karen tried to bring the perspective of a working mom to the White House, often asking the question she first learned as a reporter: “What does this mean to the average person?” Her exhilarating life in Washington was unlike anything she had experienced before, yet the lack of balance between her service to the President and country and her service to her family was a daily struggle. By the spring of 2002, Karen found herself in turmoil. She knew the president needed her, but her family needed her, too. Her son was not happy in Washington; neither was her husband. After much soul-searching, she concluded that she could do a better job of serving the president from Texas than of serving her family from Washington. “I love you, Mr. President,” she told him, “but I have to move my family back to Texas.” She continued to serve Bush from her home in Austin and laughed about the so-called “balance” she found. When she looked at the wall calendar in her kitchen, she found the State of the Union address side by side with her son’s orthodontist appointments.
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