Karen Hughes

Karen Hughes is a leading communications strategist, specializing in strategic messaging, crisis communications and executive communications. She currently serves as the global vice chair of the public relations firm Burson-Marsteller.

Since joining Burson-Marsteller in 2008, Karen has provided strategic communications counsel to many high-profile clients. Karen helped develop the strategy to differentiate Ford in the aftermath of the auto bailout; she advised a global healthcare company as it managed recalls of some of its most iconic consumer products; she guided a major Texas retailer as it managed a complex data breach; she was the senior strategist on the team advising the first U.S. hospital to diagnose a patient with Ebola; and she helped Blue Bell Ice Cream manage the largest food safety recall of 2015 after listeria was found in several of its products. She has led numerous communications workshops and media trainings and works directly with several CEOs and senior executives on their messaging and communications strategies.

Hughes has more than 40 years of public policy, communications, and political experience, from helping lead winning presidential campaigns to serving at the highest levels of government. She served as Counselor to President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2002 and was instrumental in the Bush administration's response to the September 11 attacks. In this role, she acted as strategic advisor to the president on policy and communications and led the White House Offices of Communications, Media Affairs, Speechwriting, and Press Secretary. Additionally, she was the director of George W. Bush's campaign for the office of governor of Texas.

Subsequently, Hughes was nominated and confirmed by the Senate as Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, a role which she held until her resignation in 2007. In her tenure at the U.S. Department of State, she focused on changing foreign perceptions about America, embarking on a 'listening tour' of the Middle East in 2005, and was involved in the creation of the U.S.-U.A.E. Partnership for Breast Cancer Awareness and Research.

Hughes is the best-selling author of "Ten Minutes from Normal," a book about working for President Bush and her decision to leave the White House to return with her family to Texas in 2002. She has been recognized for her contributions, being listed in the Texas Women's Hall of Fame in 2002. Hughes serves on the Boards of Directors for Parsley Energy and the National Football Foundation.