Communicator Spotlight: Dana Perino, former White House press secretary and Fox News host
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Photo illustration: Allie Carl/Axios. Photo: Fox News
Dana Perino was the first Republican woman to serve as White House press secretary from September 2007 until the end of George W. Bush's term in 2009.
- Now she reports the news each morning on Fox News' "America's Newsroom" and shares her opinions about the news each evening on "The Five."
🪜 How she got here: Perino got her start in local journalism before climbing the political ladder.
- "Growing up, my dad made me read the Rocky Mountain News and the Denver Post every day and I had to choose two articles to discuss with him at dinner. That's what started my lifelong love of news."
- Her first D.C. job was answering phones for then-Rep. Scott McInnis (R-Colo.).
- "Six weeks later, I moved over to the Office of Congressman Dan Schaefer (R-Colo.) as his press secretary and eventually worked my way up to the White House."
↪️ The career pivot: Following her stint as White House press secretary, "President George W. Bush, Marlin Fitzwater and the late Charles Krauthammer all gave me similar advice: do what you love and that the rest will fall into place."
- "I joined a PR firm and nailed down a contributorship with Fox News in April of 2009 ... but I found that if Fox News called me with an opportunity to go on-air, I would drop everything to do it — being part of the daily conversation is what I loved the most."
📈 Trend watch: Communicators as top advisers.
- "When I was at the White House, I remember being on Marine One when the president asked me my opinion on something — and I knew that my opinion differed from the other guys on the chopper — but I immediately flashed back to presenting my thoughts at the kitchen table. I always thank my dad for starting that exercise young, because it gave me the confidence I needed to do my job."
🌟 Communicator she admires: Peggy Noonan.
- "I find her to be so intellectually honest. She can communicate with beautiful imagery, and sometimes, she is a blunt-force instrument."
☮️ De-stress routine: Exercise like pilates or yoga.
- "During the White House years, [former Secretary of State] Condoleezza Rice would say that humans can't make good decisions if their brains are clouded — and the only way to clear those clouds is through physical exercise."
🏝 One news source to take to a deserted island: The Wall Street Journal editorial page.
📚 Reading list: Currently reading "Any Human Heart" by William Boyd and most recently finished "Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow" by Gabrielle Zevin.
- If you're looking for a political memoir, she recommends Fitzwater's "Call the Briefing."
💡 Words of wisdom: Perino is known for dedicating time to mentorship. Her top pieces of advice include ...
- "Your integrity is your most valuable asset, especially if you're in communications ... and you have to protect it at all costs."
- "Be the most well-read person in the room."
- "Don't put off the opportunity to be loved in order to chase career dreams."
