Michelle Giuda

Michelle Selesky Giuda (born Michelle Mai Selesky; February 18, 1985)[1] is Executive Vice President of Geopolitical Strategy and Risk at Weber Shandwick,[2] a former U.S. government official who led the largest restructuring of the U.S. State Department in 20 years[3] and an NCAA gymnastics Champion.

Michelle Giuda
Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs
In office February 3, 2018 – March 3, 2020
President	Donald Trump
Secretary	Rex Tillerson Mike Pompeo
Preceded by	Susan Stevenson (Acting)
Succeeded by	Aaron Ringel
Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs
Acting
In office February 12, 2019 – March 3, 2020
President	Donald Trump
Secretary	Mike Pompeo
Preceded by	Heather Nauert (Acting)
Succeeded by	Ulrich Brechbuhl (Acting)
Personal details
Born	Michelle Mai Selesky February 18, 1985 San Juan Capistrano, California, U.S.
Nationality	American
Alma mater	University of California, Los Angeles (B.A.) George Washington University (M.P.S.)

Early life and education

Giuda was born Michelle Mai Selesky in San Juan Capistrano, California on February 18, 1985.[1] She graduated from Aliso Niguel High School in Aliso Viejo in 2003.[1] Her mother fled Vietnam days before the Fall of Saigon in April 1975.[4] Her father served in the U.S. military during the Vietnam War.[4]

Giuda graduated with honors from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. In 2008, Giuda earned a Master of Professional Studies in political management from George Washington University.[5]

Gymnastics career

In 2000, Giuda won the California high school state championship in floor exercise and placed second in the all-around competition. She only competed one year in high school then exclusively trained and competed at the Club level. She trained at the National Gymnastics Training Center in Aliso Viejo, CA.[1]

Giuda was a decorated National Champion, two-time co-captain and four year gymnast at UCLA.[1] She was a member of the 2004 UCLA National Championship team, a four-time NACGC academic All-American and earned All-Pac-10 honors on vault.[1] Some of Giuda's teammates included Olympians Kristen Maloney, Jamie Dantzscher, Mohini Bhardwaj, Kate Richardson, Tasha Schwikert and Yvonne Tousek.

In 2009, Giuda was featured in a UCLA television advertising campaign highlighting student-athletes.[6]

Professional career

Early career

Giuda was the Senior Vice President for Global Corporate Communications for Weber Shandwick, the youngest member of their 21-person Global Leadership Team. Giuda has been named one of the "Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business."[7] and was previously named one of PR News' 30 Under 30 Rising Stars.[8]

Federal government (2012 – 2020)

She worked for five years as a senior member of former Speaker Newt Gingrich's communication team including time as the National Deputy Press Secretary for his 2012 presidential campaign.

Giuda served as United States Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs from 2018 to 2020, having been sworn into office on February 3, 2018.[9]

On February 12, 2019, Guida was appointed the acting Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs.[10][11][12] She remained in that position until March 3, 2020. Ulrich Brechbuhl took on the duties of Under Secretary under delegation of authority.[13]

2020 – Present

In March 2020, Giuda took on the role of Executive Vice President of Geopolitical Strategy and Risk at Weber Shandwick.[2]

Secretary Pompeo Listens as Assistant Secretary Giuda Delivers Closing Remarks (48406093276)

Michelle Giuda at the 2018 Global Ties Meeting in Washington (26299699508)

Secretary Pompeo Poses With Former Secretary Dr. Kissinger and Senior Staff (48408101427)

References

1. "Michelle Selesky". UCLA. 2007. Archived from the original on September 10, 2015.
2. Bradley, Diana (March 18, 2020). "Michelle Giuda rejoins Weber Shandwick as EVP of geopolitical strategy, risk". PRWeek.com.
3. Morello, Carol (April 12, 2019). "State Department to take a step into the digital age in effort to counter disinformation". The Washington Post.
4. "Michelle Giuda: Member Spotlight". Ellevate Network. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
5. "Bruin Gymnastics Alumna Enjoying Successful Political Career". UCLA Athletics. April 29, 2009. Archived from the original on September 11, 2015. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
6. "UCLA advertising campaign feat. Michelle Selesky". UCLA YouTube. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
7. "Michelle Giuda Named Top 50 in American Business". Retrieved July 22, 2018.
8. "PR News' 30 Under 30". PR News. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
9. Marszalek, Diana (January 25, 2018). "Michelle Giuda Leaves Weber Shandwick For State Department Role". holmesreport.com.
10. United States Department of State. "U.S. State Department". Twitter. Retrieved February 12, 2019.
11. United States Department of State. "Giuda, Michelle S." U.S. Department of State. Archived from the original on 2019-02-07. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
12. United States Department of State. "United States Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Twitter account". Twitter. Archived from the original on 2019-10-22. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
13. "T. Ulrich Brechbuhl". 2017-2021.state.gov. Retrieved 2021-01-26.

External links

• Michelle S. Giuda
• Michelle Giuda on Twitter
• Appearances on C-SPAN