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Archives for July 2022

CNN’S ALEX MARQUARDT, UKRAINE AMBASSADOR OKSANA MARKAROVA HEADLINE UKRAINE JOURNALIST FUNDRAISER FOR REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS

July 29, 2022 By haddadmedia

Ambassador Oksana Markarova

Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova, NYU Langone Department of Surgery Chair and Transplant Institute Director Dr. Robert Montgomery, who traveled to Lviv, Ukraine to perform life-saving surgeries, and CNN senior national security correspondent Alex Marquardt, who has just returned from Ukraine reporting from the frontlines of the Russian offensive, headlined a fundraiser along with State Department Spokesperson Ned Price for journalists covering the war in Ukraine on Thursday evening, July 28 in Washington, D.C to benefit the international non-profit organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

“We have brave men and women who put their lives on the line to tell the story of our fight to the world at a very high cost. We already lost 37 journalists in Ukraine just during this time. We have people like Alex [Marquardt] who are coming back to the city of Kharkiv, which is a frontline,” said Markarova told the crowd. “Thank you so much to you and all your colleagues and all the journalists who are here. Really, you are as brave and as heroic as all the Ukrainians who are fighting.”

CNN’s Alex Marquardt describes what’s happening on the ground in Ukraine and the importance of protecting journalists. CBS Steve Portnoy, Reporters Without Borders Clayton Weimers and the Washington Post Damian Paletta.

Co-hosts included Washington Post reporters Yasmeen Abutaleb, Shane Harris, and editor Damian Paletta; NBC News Correspondent Yamiche Alcindor; News Media Alliance president and CEO David Chavern; Haddad Media CEO Tammy Haddad; ABC News chief Washington correspondent Jonathan Karl; New York Times correspondent Jonathan Martin, CBS News White House correspondent Steven Portnoy; MSNBC Host Stephanie Ruhle; and Axios Managing Editor Margaret Talev.

CNN’s award-winning senior national security correspondent Alex Marquardt, who was reporting from Mariupol, Ukraine on the day the Russian invasion began, has fearlessly led his network’s coverage of the war. “The resilience really was just stunning. And so, of course, was the journalism that has come out of Ukraine. I mean, we could not understand how historic and destructive this conflict is if we didn’t have people in Mykolaiv and in Mariupol and Luhansk and Donetsk provinces doing dangerous and difficult and expensive work,” said Marquardt. “There are countless freelancers, both international and Ukrainian, who need body armor. They need medical training, they need an Internet connection, they need financial support and eventually, they may also need psychological support.”

Famed transplant surgeon Dr. Robert Montgomery, chair of the Department of Surgery at NYU Langone Health and director of the NYU Langone Transplant Institute, who risked his own life by traveling to Ukraine in May to perform lifesaving surgeries at the Lviv Transplant Center, and has since raised $280,000 for essential operating room equipment for the center. “To walk through those ICUs and see the mangled bodies and minds that have occurred as a result of this. I think if we could take cameras, into hospitals, I think people would feel really differently about a lot of the tremendous human tragedies that have occurred,” said Dr. Montgomery.

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A portion of the funds went to equipping and staffing the RSF Press Freedom Centers in Lviv and Kiev, where reporters covering the war receive protective gear such as bullet-proof vests and helmets, safety training and psychological support.

Speakers at the event included:

“When Russia invaded Ukraine, we immediately knew that we had to be on the ground providing solutions to people. And so within days, we were ready to launch the Press Freedom Center in Lviv,” said Weimers. “So the Press Freedom Center is a hub through which we can channel all of our support directly to journalists covering the story on the ground.”

“So what does that support mean? … It’s meant 577 bulletproof vests, 489 helmets, 252 solar, solar battery packs, 101 first aid kits, 219 direct loans to media workers, fixers, journalists, reporters, as well as 200 loans to our partner on the ground, the Institute for Mass Information. We’re also providing safety courses for both digital security and physical security while you’re on the ground and we’re starting to provide mental health support services as well.”

Notable attendees: Rep. Debbie Dingell, Rep. Joaquin Castro, former Rep. Jane Harman, Jen Psaki, Daniel and Amy Koh, Jill Zuckman, Jessica Dean, Liz Johnson, Amanda McClements, Betsy Fischer Martin, Adrienne Elrod, Ali Rubin, Heather Podesta, Carol Melton, Mariel Saes, Rachel Levitan, Kevin Latek, Dan Myers, Brian Walsh, Jon Decker, Tyler Pager, Robin Goldman,  Dietrich von Klaeden, Matt Kaminski, Genna Gent and Michael Gonda, Jon Banner, Kenny Thompson, Lauren Pratapus and John Legittino, Kevin Baron, Francesca Chambers, Andrew Bates, Sean Savett, Mariel Saes, Michael Wilner, Michael Moroney, Ted Johnson, Nazanin Ash, Mario Parker, Racquel Krahenbuhl, Holly Page, Laurie McKay, Jane Oates, John O’Leary.

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PepsiCo, McDonald’s and the News Media Alliance sponsored this event.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Inaugural DC Power Index Prize Honors Six Outstanding Women Leaders

July 22, 2022 By WHC Insider

(L to R) Hosts Joanna Coles and DeDe Lea, Honorees Sheila Johnson, Dr. Christine Grady, Officer Caroline Edwards, Denyce Graves, Melora Hardin, and Host Teresa Carlson 

In a city known for its power lunches, the new DC Power Index tops them all. Building on the incredibly successful Power 100 Lunch created by legendary magazine editor Joanna Coles, on Wednesday, July 20th, Coles was joined by Microsoft corporate vice president and cloud pioneer Teresa Carlson, and media powerhouse DeDe Lea, Paramount Global’s executive vice president for global public policy and government affairs, as hosts of the DC Power Index Prize and awards lunch at Cafe Milano in Georgetown.

“Women from D.C. have been traveling to New York for the last decade for the Power 100 lunch, but there are so many extraordinary women here in Washington, we wanted to broaden the scope of those we honor,” Coles told The Hill.

(L to R) CBS News EVP of Newsgathering Ingrid Ciprian Matthews, New CNN Global Communications Chief Kristine Coratti, and VP of Government Affairs at Chevron Karen Knutson 

“Washington is where women are running congressional committees, newsrooms, museums, embassies, and foundations. We’re breaking stories, creating public policy, interpreting the law, and enforcing it,” the former Cosmopolitan editor-in-chief said.

Host DeDe Lea with CBS Evening News Anchor Norah O’Donnell 

The DC Power Index celebrates women who exemplify resilience, foster innovation, exhibit flexibility in times of crisis and make a social and cultural impact. Recipients of the first DC Power Index Prize included: Ambassador Oksana Markarova, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, Denyce Graves, the Emmy and Grammy award-winning mezzo-soprano, director, and alumna of DC’s Duke Ellington School of the Arts; Sheila Johnson, founder and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts and a partner in Monumental Sports & Entertainment; Melora Hardin, the Emmy-nominated actress, director, singer, and activist, known for her roles on The Office, The Bold Type, Monk and Transparent; Dr. Christine Grady, chief of the Department of Bioethics at the National Institutes of Health and wife of Dr. Tony Fauci; and Officer Caroline Edwards of the United States Capitol Police, for her bravery and sacrifice in defending the U.S. Capitol during the insurrection of January 6, 2021.

Joanna Coles presents the DC Power Index Prize to Dr. Christine Grady 

The 120 powerful women gathered at the red-carpeted event to mingle over champagne before taking their seats for the lunch. Joanna kickstarted the event by first presenting the Power Index Prize to Dr. Christine Grady for her contributions to the field of bioethics, particularly surrounding ethical challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Grady has been married to Dr. Anthony Fauci for the last 37 years, and in the wake of his recently announced retirement, we asked Dr. Grady what she and her husband’s plans were. Her response? “We have some plans, you know, going from a 16 to 18-hour workday to something else is going to be very different.” It certainly will be. 

Dr. Grady’s award acceptance was followed by Melora Hardin, for her authenticity in Hollywood, and for her groundbreaking and empowering performances; and then  Yaroslav Brisiuck, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Ukraine, who accepted the award for Ukrainian Ambassador Oksana Markarova for her tireless advocacy and representation of her country during this year of crisis and war in Ukraine.

Yaroslav Brisiuck Making Remarks on Behalf of Ambassador Markarova 

Brisiuck made a powerful and moving speech on the tumultuous year that Ukraine has had, and the importance of the US’s allyship with the struggling nation. “This means a lot. It shows recognition of her role as an advocate of Ukraine at these most challenging times in our history. We’re at war, we’re fighting, and she’s advocating for more support of the United States for Ukraine in this fight” Brisiuck said.   

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Presenting the DC Power Index Prize to Officer Caroline Edwards 

Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) then introduced and honored U.S. Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards for her bravery and sacrifice in defending the U.S. Capitol during the insurrection of January 6, 2021. 

Officer Edwards touched on the importance of women across all industries, especially within her experience with the January 6th Committee Hearings. “Women have also been an integral part of the hearings. I find myself in a sisterhood with Shaye Moss, Ruby Freeman, Cassidy Hutchinson and tomorrow, Sarah Matthews will take the stand. Among us are countless women in Congress like Sen. Klobuchar who are working tirelessly to make sure that justice will be served. It gives me hope and it gives me joy to see so many women finding their voice, so many women saying ‘I will not be silent in the face of injustice,’ so many women who have found the courage to continue despite threats, obstacles, and suffering. I don’t believe that the future is female. I believe the present is female.”

Sheila Johnson Making Remarks 

DeDe Lea awarded Sheila Johnson for leading the way for women entrepreneurs, championing women in sports, and her extensive philanthropic work. Finally, Teresa Carlson presented the prize to Denyce Graves for her more than three decades of contributions to the musical arts, and for her leadership of the Denyce Graves Foundation, which shares the untold stories of underrepresented musicians who helped shape what American classical music is today.

Host Teresa Carlson Presenting Denyce Graves with the DC Power Index Prize 

The audience of 120 women collaborated and connected together, while listening to the awe-inspiring speeches made by the six dynamic women who were honored. Other guests included Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), Norah O’Donnell, Kristine Coratti Kelly, Kathleen Buhle, Karen Knutson, Ingrid Ciprian-Matthews, Rima Al-Sabah, Jordanian Ambassador Dina Kawar, Nigerian Ambassador Uzoma Emenike, Amna Nawaz, Deborah Rutter, Julie Kent, Sali Christeson, Aya Kanai, Sophia Narrett, Sally Quinn, Carol Melton, and Kimberley Fritts.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: DC, Media, Washington

Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards receives DC Power Index Prize from Sen. Amy Klobuchar

July 20, 2022 By WHC Insider

WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 20: Amy Klobuchar, U.S. Senator presents an award to honoree Caroline Edwards, U.S. Capitol Police Officer during 2022 DC Power Index Prize Lunch hosted by Joanna Coles, Teresa Carlson and DeDe Lea at Cafe Milano on July 20, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Haddad Media)

Filed Under: Uncategorized

DC Power Index Preview

July 20, 2022 By WHC Insider

The Hill – Inaugural DC Power Index Prize to honor Ukrainian ambassador, Capitol Police officer

Deadline – Launch of DC Power Index Prize to Honor Ukrainian Ambassador, Capitol Police Officer, Covid Bioethicist

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Uber DC Hosts 2022 Midterm Election Preview feat. Jonathan Martin, Symone Sanders, and Liam Donovan 

July 19, 2022 By WHC Insider

Symone Sanders, Jonathan Martin, and Liam Donovan

Uber’s federal affairs team hosted a conversation previewing the midterms at their D.C. office on Monday evening. The New York Times’s Jonathan Martin moderated the conversation with Symone Sanders, Host of MSNBC’s Symone, and Liam Donovan, NRSC veteran, and GOP commentator.

CR Wooters presenting Symone Sanders with a bottle of champagne

CR Wooters, Uber’s Head of Federal Affairs, presented recently married Symone Sanders with a bottle of champagne when she arrived to kick off the evening. Guests mingled over light appetizers and drinks, and Jonathan Martin signed copies of his new book, This Will Not Pass. 

CR Wooters making remarks

The panel touched on every aspect of politics today and the top issues facing voters in November. Symone, Jonathan, and Liam discussed President Biden’s dismal approval rating, hot states for the midterms like Georgia and Michigan, the January 6th committee hearings, and whether former President Trump will announce a run for 2024.

Jonathan Martin poses as he autographs books
Uber’s CR Wooters with Symone Sanders, Jonathan Martin, and Liam Donovan

SPOTTED: Paul Kane, Josh Dawsey, Adrienne Elrod, Steve Benjamin, Heather Podesta, Ali Rubin, Rachel Levitan, Dan Meyers, Daniel Strauss, David Schnittger, Alex Conant, Alice Stewart, CR Wooters, Meridith McGraw, Rebecca Buck and Bryan DeAngelis.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: DC, Jonathan Martin, Liam Donovan, Media, Midterms, Symone Sanders, Uber, Washington, White House

Lis Smith Roasts Pols in Memoir, “Any Given Tuesday”

July 8, 2022 By haddadmedia

Lis Smith (right) with Tammy Haddad and Sec. Pete Buttigeig at the 2022 White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch

Veteran Democratic Political Operative Lis Smith is making headlines today as POLITICO releases an excerpt from her new memoir, “Any Given Tuesday: A Political Love Story.“

“Any Given Tuesday: A Political Love Story” by Lis Smith

She told her friends in a book email, “I was determined to demystify politics and serve as a guide to modern-day campaigning. If we do not bring more people into politics, Democracy could fail. It’s a book for Democrats and Republicans, political junkies and the apolitical- one that’s as fun as it is informative, and as irreverent as it is serious. “

Lis Smith at the 2022 White House Correspondents’ Garden Brunch

Smith connoted, “I have shared these campaigns and crises with many of you but I think you will learn some things that you did not know. I did! I don’t spare any details or dish from behind the scenes, even about myself.“

Filed Under: Uncategorized

White House Historical Association President Stewart McLaurin Hosts Lunch Featuring Tony Award-winning director Bartlett Sher

July 6, 2022 By WHC Insider

Bart Sher, Denyce Graves, and Stewart McLaurin

All rise! White House Historical Association President Stewart D. McLaurin hosted a lunch for Tony award-winning director of To Kill a Mockingbird (playing at Kennedy Center until July 10) Bartlett Sher and his producer Cambra Overend at Decatur House on Wednesday. 

Patricia Harrison and Sheila Burke

Sher also discussed the development of his new Broadway production of Camelot (debuting November 3rd) with Aaron Sorkin, his partner for To Kill a Mockingbird.

Anita McBride and Bartlett Sher

Sher and his producing partner Overend were last in Washington to screen the HBO Films version of their Broadway play, Oslo, which captured the story behind the historic 1993 South Lawn “Oslo handshake” between Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat, orchestrated by President Bill Clinton.

Cambra Overend, Stewart McLaurin, and Bartlett Sher

SPOTTED: Ambassador Rufus Gifford, opera singer Denyce Graves, Anita McBride, journalists Robert Costa, Abby Phillip, and Elisabeth Bumiller, and Sheila Burke, Patricia Harrison, Colleen Shogan, Karen Knutson, Senay Bulbul, Peggy Grande, Royce Dickerson and Tammy Haddad

White House Historical Association Bartlett Sher Lunch, July 6th, 2022

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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Exploring “behind the scenes” of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.

We track the White House Correspondents’ weekend and all the activities around it, from journalists and media companies to the White House and politicos.

Tammy Haddad is Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief of WHC Insider and CEO of Haddad Media.

White House Correspondents Insider is not affiliated with or approved by the White House Correspondents’ Association, which is a registered trademark of the WHCA.

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