Senior State Department Official Michelle Giuda Returns to Weber Shandwick 

Published

Weber Shandwick today announced former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Michelle Giuda will re-join the firm as executive vice president of geopolitical strategy and risk in the agency’s global Public Affairs practice. Giuda served as Assistant Secretary from February 2018 until March 2020, leading the State Department’s global communications strategy and operations. She also took on the responsibilities of the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy & Public Affairs in 2019. Giuda will bring her unique international government, corporate and political experience to help clients prepare for and address the impact of geopolitical issues on their business and reputation.

Senior State Department Official Michelle Giuda Returns to Weber Shandwick

“Geopolitics touches all of our clients – across sectors and around the world – and as a leading expert on international relations and global communications, Michelle will add incredible value to our firm as we strive to solve bigger problems and deliver work that makes a difference,” said Gail Heimann, president and CEO, Weber Shandwick.

 

As Assistant Secretary, Giuda led a major restructuring at the State Department, creating the new Bureau of Global Public Affairs, and modernizing the Department’s communications capabilities, including more deeply investing in data analytics and research, real-time video and mobile platforms, and launching a new global website. Giuda advised the Secretary of State and U.S. Ambassadors worldwide on communications strategy and emerging issues. After taking on the responsibilities of the Under Secretary, Giuda also oversaw all public diplomacy and public affairs strategy and operations, including four additional bureaus and offices and thousands of public diplomacy officers worldwide.

The intersection of geopolitics, business and communications is complex and requires a deep understanding of the global political landscape as well as the technology-driven media environment. Michelle’s unique expertise cuts to the core of these areas. Her ability to cast a broad lens on complicated issues and foresee the potential impact on a range of organizations, combined with her sharp communications savvy, will be a valuable addition to our strong team of experts in Public Affairs and to our clients across all sectors.

Pam Jenkins

President, Global Public Affairs, Weber Shandwick

Prior to her government role, Giuda led global communications and marketing for Weber Shandwick in New York from mid-2014 to early 2018. Previously, Giuda was a political communications strategist in Washington, D.C., serving for five years as a lead member of former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich’s communications team, including her role as national deputy press secretary during the speaker’s 2012 presidential campaign. In 2016, she was honored with the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business Award by the Asian American Business Development Center.

 

“Weber Shandwick is uniquely poised to both advise and execute on business reputation strategy for clients given the firm’s global reach, its depth and breadth of subject matter expertise, and its rich data and analytics capabilities,” Giuda said. “I’m looking forward to returning to the firm to help clients continue to mitigate risk, navigate real-time issues, and take advantage of opportunities in the dynamic geopolitical landscape to protect and strengthen their reputation.”