White House Correspondents Insider

Behind the scenes of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.

Bloomberg Government Welcomes Washington Back to K Street

By

Bloomberg Government rolled out the welcome mat on Tuesday evening with a lively reception to reopen its newly-renovated offices on K Street.

Guests were welcomed by Bloomberg Industry Group CEO Josh Eastright and Bloomberg Government president Arielle Elliott. BGOV News Director Angela Greiling Keane introduced special guest Rohit Chopra, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, who gave a look-ahead for the next year, as well as BGOV Congressional reporter Emily Wilkins and economic reporter Jack Fitzpatrick.

In the great Bloomberg tradition, guests enjoyed delicious fare and customized specialty cocktails from DC’s own renowned mixologist and winner of Netflix’s Drink Masters, Lauren “LP” Paylor O’Brien.

Renowned mixologist and winner of Netflix’s Drink Masters, Lauren “LP” Paylor O’Brien


 
SPOTTED: Ambassadors Oksana Markarova of Ukraine, Luxembourg’s Nicole Bintner, and Singapore’s Ashok Kumar Mirpuri, DC Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio, Susana Castillo, Doug Jones, Jim Moran, Michael Chertoff, Neil Bradley, Bloomberg’s Cesca Antonelli, Joel Johnson, Reggie Love, Michael Chertoff, Anita McBride, Jen Howard, Giuseppe and Francis Lanzone, Jonathan and Betsy Fischer Martin, Josh Dawsey, ABC’s Rick Klein, David Chavern, Carol Melton, Liz Johnson, Vince Evans, Meta’s Jackie Rooney, Ron Bonjean, Niamh King, Greg Babyak, David O’Brien, Samantha Dravis, Ted Johnson, Steve Clemons, Heather Podesta, Peggy Collins, Julissa Marenco, Eva McKend, Paige Hopkins, Francesca Chambers and Michael Moroney, Amanda Anderson, Zoraida Rodriguez, and Winston Lord.

View the photo gallery here.

Teresa Carlson Joins Fellow Amazon Leader as President of Flexport

By

Washington Women Power 100 Lunch Dr. Christine Grady, Ann Hand, Capitol Hill Police Officer Caroline Edwards and co-host Teresa Carlson
Cafe Milano, July 2022

Teresa Carlson, one of the most important woman in tech, joins Flexport as President and Chief Commercial Officer. Flexport is a global logistics and supply chain leader. Carlson will oversee sales, marketing and communications, and the impact arm Flexport.org. She will also spearhead the expansion into new global markets, verticals, and strategic partnerships.

Dave Clark, is co-CEO, after departing Amazon as CEO of Worldwide Consumer, the division that owns the technology and the customer experience for Amazon.com. 

Her previous roles include Corporate VP and Executive-in-Residence at Microsoft, President and Chief Growth Officer at Splunk, and VP, Amazon Web Services (AWS), where she founded and led the Worldwide Public Sector business for more than a decade.

Teresa Carlson said, “Flexport has changed the way businesses view supply chain and logistics, and their technology-enabled platform has the power to make a huge impact for so many industries across the globe. I’m excited to join the talented Flexport team to grow the business globally and empower current and new customers with our full suite of innovative technology solutions.” 

Carlson is a leading advocate for women and serves as Vice Chair of the White House Historical Association, on the board of the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and many other leading institutions in Washington.

Pete Souza Town Hall at White House Historical Association

By

Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, hosted a town hall event on Monday at Decatur House with Pete Souza, former White House photographer and author of the new book, The West Wing and Beyond: What I Saw Inside the Presidency.

Souza – who served as an official White House photographer under President Ronald Reagan and the chief official White House photographer under President Barack Obama – was interviewed about his experiences by McLaurin in front of a live audience. Guests were greeted with a welcome reception and holiday shopping at the Association’s gift shop, and Pete signed personalized copies of The West Wing and Beyond. 

During the conversation, McLaurin asked Souza to reflect on some of the most famous and poignant photos he captured at the White House, including the late Princess Diana dancing with John Travolta at a Reagan State Dinner.

Pete Souza / The White House

Souza also shared his private experiences with the first families, including what it was like being the only person in the room during an intimate family moment aboard the presidential aircraft with Mrs. Nancy Reagan and her son and daughter-in-law kneeling over the coffin as President Reagan’s body was flown from California to Washington to lie in state.

Pete Souza / Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

As the director of the White House photo office during President Obama’s entire time in office, Souza reflected on one of his most compelling photos taken during those 8 years (one he did not fully appreciate until much later) – when President Obama leaned over in the Oval Office so a young African-American boy could touch his hair – and what that moment represents for so many.

Pete Souza / The White House

The Pete Souza Town Hall was live streamed on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter as part of the Association’s popular White House History Live series, which was launched during the pandemic.

Watch the full video here. View the photo gallery here.

Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery Honors 7 at 2022 ‘Portrait of a Nation’ Gala

By

José Andrés, Clive Davis, Ava DuVernay, Marian Wright Edelman, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Serena Williams, and Venus Williams honored with portraits at 2022 ‘Portrait of a Nation’ Gala

WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 12: (L-R) Baratunde Thurston, David Rubenstein, Anthony Fauci, Ava DuVernay, Isabel Wilkerson, Clive Davis, Alicia Keys, Hilary Rodham Clinton, Marian Wright Edelman, Kim Sajet, Sonya Haffey, Venus Williams, Isha Price, Lonnie G. Bunch, Mellody Hobson, Serena Williams, Laurene Powell Jobs and José Andrés attend the 2022 Portrait Of A Nation Gala on November 12, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for National Portrait Gallery)

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery held its 2022 ‘Portrait of a Nation’ Gala on Saturday, November 12 in Washington, D.C., where this year’s seven honorees were feted for their transformative contributions to the country.  The 2022 honorees are:

  • José Andrés, internationally recognized humanitarian, culinary innovator, New York Times bestselling author, educator and founder of World Central Kitchen
  • Clive Davis, Grammy Award-winning music industry executive and member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
  • Ava DuVernay, Academy Award nominee, Emmy, BAFTA and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker, and founder of ARRAY
  • Marian Wright Edelman, activist for children’s rights and founder and president emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund
  • Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health and chief of the NIAID Laboratory of Immunoregulation, chief medical advisor to the President, and advisor on global AIDS issues and COVID-19 
  • Serena Williams, tennis champion, winner of 23 Grand Slam titles and entrepreneur
  • Venus Williams, tennis champion, winner of seven Grand Slam titles, entrepreneur and outspoken advocate on equal pay, mental health and physical wellness

The honorees, presenters, and over 750 VIP guests enjoyed cocktails during a private viewing of the Portrait Gallery’s “Portrait of a Nation: 2022 Honorees” exhibition, followed by a seated dinner in the museum’s spectacular Kogod courtyard featuring the award presentations and a special surprise performance by Wynton Marsalis. The evening was hosted by writer, producer, and TV host Baratunde Thurston. The dinner program began with remarks from Kim Sajet, director of the National Portrait Gallery, and Smithsonian Institution Secretary Lonnie Bunch.

Established in 2015 by the National Portrait Gallery, the Portrait of a Nation Award recognizes extraordinary individuals who have made transformative contributions to the United States and its people across numerous fields of endeavor, ranging from the arts and sciences to sports and humanitarianism. 

Each honoree received the Portrait of a Nation Award based on their contributions to their respective fields, and whose portraits are either in the Portrait Gallery’s collection or are in the process of being acquired. The museum also looks to acknowledge individuals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. 

Each honoree nominated his or her own presenter, someone with whom they have a close relationship or has affected their careers.  The 2022 presenters were:

  • Laurene Powell Jobs, founder and president of Emerson Collective, presented to José Andrés
  • Alicia Keys, 15-time Grammy Award-winning artist, songwriter, musician, producer and entrepreneur, presented to Clive Davis
  • Isabel Wilkerson, Pulitzer Prize winner, National Humanities Medal awardee and New York Times bestselling author, presented to Ava DuVernay
  • Hillary Rodham Clinton, former Secretary of State, U.S. Senator (New York), First Lady of the United States, lawyer and activist, presented to Marian Wright Edelman
  • David M. Rubenstein, co-founder and co-chairman of The Carlyle Group and philanthropist, presented to Anthony S. Fauci, M.D.
  • Mellody Hobson, co-CEO and president of Ariel Investments, presented to Serena Williams
  • Sonya Haffey, interior designer and principal of V Starr, and Isha Price, entrepreneur, film producer, philanthropist and CEO of Price Consulting Group LLC, presented to Venus Williams

The 2022 Gala was supported by host committee members Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, Robert and Arlene Kogod, David Rubenstein accompanied by Caryn Zucker, and Patty Stonesifer and Michael Kinsley; national co-chairs Eduardo J. Ardiles and Joseph P. Ujobai, Lyndon J. Barrois and Janine Sherman Barrois, and Catherine and Michael Podell; and Washington, D.C., co-chairs Kristin and John Cecchi and Susanna and Jack Quinn. The Gala’s founding chairs are Wayne and Catherine Reynolds.  

Notable guests in attendance included Speaker Nancy Pelosi, HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud (Saudi Arabia), Sec. of the Smithsonian Institution Lonnie G. Bunch, III and Maria Marable-Bunch, Senator Cory Booker, Senator Chris Coons, opera singer Denyce Graves, singer-songwriter Jewel, Calvin Ripken, Jr., film director Ron Howard, Martin Luther King, III, Capitol Hill police officer Caroline Edwards, Secretary Elaine Chao, Rep. Maxine Waters, and Amb. Stuart and Gwen Holliday.

Media stars included Don Lemon and Tim Malone, Bret and Amy Baier, Dana Bash, Philip Rucker, Jeffrey Goldberg, and Symone Sanders.

Honoree portraits from the Portrait Gallery’s collection are on view in the “Portrait of a Nation: 2022 Honorees” exhibition on the museum’s first floor from Nov. 10, 2022, through Oct. 22, 2023. All of the portraits this year will be on view for the first time, including six new commissions and one never-before-shown photograph. 

The 2022 portrait artists are: Ruven Afanador (Edelman), Hugo Crosthwaite (Fauci), Kenturah Davis (DuVernay), David Hockney (Davis), Kadir Nelson (Andrés), Toyin Ojih Odutola (S. Williams), and Robert Pruitt (V. Williams). 

The “Portrait of a Nation: 2022 Honorees” exhibition was curated by Rhea L. Combs, NPG’s director of curatorial affairs, in collaboration with Taína Caragol, curator of painting, sculpture and Latinx art and history, and Leslie Ureña, curator of photographs.

Proceeds from the gala, which takes place every two years, support the National Portrait Gallery’s endowment for exhibitions and the museum’s commitment to commissioning artworks for its collection by working with contemporary artists. 

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery was established by an Act of Congress in 1962 to recognize the individuals who have had a significant impact on the nation’s history and culture. It opened its doors to the public in 1968.

Cafe Milano 30th Anniversary Blowout, Tribute to Veterans

By

IMG_0378
Flickr: click to view gallery

When its doors first opened on November 3, 1992 – the day President Bill Clinton was elected to his first term – Cafe Milano set a new standard in fine Italian dining. Ever since, Cafe Milano has served as a bipartisan gathering spot for Washingtonians, presidents, governors, ambassadors, members of Congress, luminaries from across the country and travelers from around the globe, and as a place for friends and family to come together and break bread. All thanks to its founder’s vision, Italian-born restaurateur, entrepreneur, diplomat, philanthropist, and loving father, Franco Nuschese.

Under Franco’s careful direction, Cafe Milano is Washington’s go-to location for high-profile awards luncheons, dinners, receptions and celebrations. It’s where the Washington Capitals hockey team famously popped magnums of champagne after their Stanley Cup championship win and where singer Lionel Richie both celebrated his 65th birthday and was feted after being awarded the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song from the Library of Congress.

At its blockbuster 30th anniversary celebration on Friday, November 11, Franco was celebrated by Washington’s Mayor Muriel Bowser, luminaries from government and media but Franco also gave back by announcing donations to support to three veterans’ organizations in honor of Veterans Day with uniformed military members in attendance:

Children of Fallen Patriots, which ensures that children of military members who were killed in the line of duty are able to go to college.

Dog Tag Bakery, a non-profit bakery, kitchen and classroom space supporting veterans through a business fellowship program right here in Georgetown.

Blue Star Families, which was founded by military spouses, and works to fight economic insecurity, foster spouse career development, and provides critical peer support for caregivers, whose numbers are only increasing.

ABC News’ Jonathan Karl emceed the program, which featured a special tribute by Mayor Muriel Bowser and a few surprises. Holly Petraeus presented Franco with a special flag. As a surprise, Tony Award-winning singer Paul Oakley Stovall sang “In the Room, Where it Happens” then Dougefresh rapped a song about Milano.

SPOTTED:  Sen. Roy and Abby Blunt, Sen. Joe Manchin, Rep. Debbie Dingell, Rep. Jim Costa, fmr. Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Bishop Mario Dorsonville, Maureen Dowd, Dionne Warwick, Bob Johnson, Chris Licht, Egyptian Amb Motaz Zahran, French Ambassador Philippe Étienne, British Ambassador Karen Pierce, Kellyanne Conway, Newt Gingrich, Kaitlan Collins, Teresa Carlson and Andre Piennar, Carol Melton, Tony Fauci and Christine Grady, Ted Olson, Bob Barnett, Raul Fernandez, Catherine and Wayne Reynolds, Kristin Cecchi, John Rogers, Robert Allegrini,  John Leggitino, Lauren Pratapus, Bret and Amy Baier, Hilary Rosen, Tripp and Amy Donnelly, Ryan Williams, Liz Johnson, Senay Bulbul, Steve Clemons, Adrienne Elrod, Marc Adelman, Olivia Nuzzi and Ryan Lizza, John McCarthy, Laurie McHugh, Liz Hart, Sheila Casey, Kathy Roth Douquet, Josh Dawsey, Vinoda Basnayake, Paxton Baker, Ed and Deborah Lerner Cohen, Robert and Elena Albritton, Mike and Kristi Rogers, and General Jim and Diane Jones.

Here’s the Politico Playbook report

WHC Insider salutes Franco Nuschese and Cafe Milano for 30 wonderful years of bringing Washington together – and here’s to the next 30 years and all the memories to come!

RSF launches new Iran Media Help Desk to support journalists and media at risk

By

Graphic courtesy of RSF

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has launched a new Iran Media Help Desk to support at-risk journalists covering the increasing protests across the country. 

According to RSF:  “In response to the rapid deterioration of press freedom since the start of the nationwide protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini on 16 September,  Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has launched a new Iran Media Help Desk, in collaboration with Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Dr Shirin Ebadi. Immediate emphasis will be placed on providing digital security support to journalists and media facing risks for reporting on events in the country.”

RSF Secretary-General Christophe Deloire added: “Iranian journalists are courageously reporting on developments in an increasingly hostile and complex environment, despite the great risks to themselves. RSF is seeking to help circumvent those risks by providing journalists and media with the tools and support needed to do their jobs as safely as possible. Their ability to continue reporting is crucial to informing the Iranian and international public, and we hope this support helps offer them some protection and minimises disruption to their work.”

Iran is ranked 178th out of 180 countries in RSF’s 2022 World Press Freedom Index.

RSF has partnered with GoFundMe to create a fundraiser to support these efforts with a goal of raising $200,000.

Wash Women Technology Network Midterm Election Briefing

By

Ambassador Nicole Bintner of Luxembourg, Jessica Nigro of Lucid Motors, and MSNBC’s Symone Sanders October 5, 2022


Symone Sanders, MSNBC Anchor, and Anna Palmer, co-founder and CEO of Punchbowl led a midterm election breakfast briefing for The Washington Women Technology Network, hosted by Jessica Nigro, Lucid Motors, Global head of Public Policy and Tammy Haddad, WWTN Founder, at The Jefferson Hotel in Washington, D.C.

MSNBC President Rashida Jones, Gray TV’s Vice President and General Manager Lisa Allen, and Anna Palmer, co-founder and CEO of Punchbowl News

Palmer led the conversation on the Hill races from the latest Senate numbers to Mitch McConnell’s playing down the chances. Sanders quoted from the latest NBC/Telemundo poll which drills down on Hispanic voters warning they are not a monolithic voting group.

L to R: Symone Sanders, Jessica Nigro, Liz Hart, and Rashida Jones

Guests included: Luxembourg Ambassador Nicole Bintner, MSNBC President Rashida Jones, former White House energy adviser Melanie Nakagawa, Rivian’s Leslie Hayward, Meridian’s Natalie Jones Hallahan, Disney’s Susan Fox, BSA’s CEO Victoria Espinel, Apple’s Carolyn Wu, Washington Post Live’s Kathy O’Hearn, Gray’s Lisa Allen, the German’s Embassy spokeswoman Marie von Engelhardt, Aspen’s Niamh King, White House aide Liz Hart, and Kelley McCormick, co-founder of Original Strategies.

Natalie Jones Hallahan, Jessica Nigro, and Anna Palmer

White House Historical Association Presents Official Obama White House Portraits

By

Portrait artists Robert McCurdy and Sharon Sprung with Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association

On Wednesday, September 7, the White House Historical Association presented the official portraits of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, painted by Robert McCurdy and Sharon Sprung, respectively. 

The portraits, commissioned by the White House Historical Association, and the artists who painted them were introduced during a White House ceremony hosted by President Joseph Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and attended by President and Mrs. Obama.

Since 1965, the White House Historical Association has acquired and commissioned official portraits of the president and first lady. 

According to the Association:  “As is the custom, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama selected the artists before leaving office. Now that the portraits have been presented to the public, they will hang in the White House and be inducted into the White House Collection.”

“The White House Historical Association is honored to continue the tradition of funding these portraits,” said Stewart D. McLaurin, President of the White House Historical Association. “It’s a career achievement for the artists selected for these important commissions, and they are now forever a part of White House history.”

Simultaneous to the presentation of the portraits, McLaurin, who hosts The White House 1600 Sessions podcast, released a new episode featuring an exclusive conversation with artists Robert McCurdy and Sharon Sprung, discussing the challenges of this unique historical assignment and their approach to creating the portraits.

McDonald’s Appoints Jon Banner as Executive Vice President and Global Chief Impact Officer

By

Photo Courtesy of McDonald’s Corporation

McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski today announced Jon Banner as the company’s new Executive Vice President and Global Chief Impact Officer.

In the announcement, Kempczinski states, “Jon is the perfect leader to oversee our Sustainability & ESG, Government Relations and Public Policy, Communications and International Corporate Relations functions, as well as Ronald McDonald House Charities—building on the momentum of the Impact function as we strengthen and protect our reputation around the world.”

Banner previously spent 10 years at PepsiCo, one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, where he was responsible for the communications function and the PepsiCo Foundation, and worked closely with the company’s Sustainability and Government Affairs teams.

Prior to PepsiCo, Banner spent the majority of his career at Disney/ABC as the Emmy Award-winning Executive Producer of “World News Tonight” and “This Week.” 

In this new role, which is based in Chicago, Kempczinski adds, “As McDonald’s continues to focus on driving admiration and trust with all of our stakeholders, I will look to Jon to provide the leadership required to bring our purpose to life in the nearly 40,000 communities where we live, work and serve.”

Alicia Keys and Hillary Clinton to Present Awards at the 2022 National Portrait Gallery Gala, VF Reports

By

Photos Courtesy of Vanity Fair

In an exclusive report from Vanity Fair, the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery today released the list of presenters for the seven public figures who will be honored at the Gallery’s 2022 Portrait of a Nation Gala on November 12 in Washington, DC.

VF reports: “The biennial tradition began in 2015 and spotlights individuals doing transformative work across industries. During November’s celebratory gala, each recipient’s featured portrait will be revealed to them. ‘It is important to honor and celebrate the people who are making a difference and inspiring others,’ said Kim Sajet, director of the National Portrait Gallery.”

Sajet continued, “The presenters, each of whom have a special relationship with the honorees, help us to offer meaningful thanks to this year’s awardees for their significant contributions to our nation.”

Here is the full list from VF: 

Laurene Powell Jobs, founder and president of Emerson Collective, will present a portrait to New York Times best-selling author and founder of World Central Kitchen José Andrés.

Fifteen-time Grammy Award–winning artist and entrepreneur Alicia Keys will present to fellow Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Clive Davis.

Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson will present a portrait to Emmy, BAFTA, and Peabody–winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay. 

Former First Lady of the United States Hillary Clinton will present to Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president emerita of the Children’s Defense Fund. 

David M. Rubenstein, co-founder and co-chairman of the Carlyle Group, will unveil the portrait of Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, chief medical adviser to the president.

Co-CEO and president of Ariel Investments Mellody Hobson will present to 23-time Grand Slam champion and entrepreneur Serena Williams. 

And together, Sonya Haffey, principal of V Starr, and Isha Price, CEO of Price Consulting Group LLC, will present to Venus Williams, entrepreneur and winner of seven Grand Slam titles.