Crisis Communication Consultant, Public Affairs Strategist, and Political Analyst for NBC and MSNBC News
What advice would you give to a girl graduating from Williston today?
- Ask lots of questions—and really listen to the answers.
- Always follow your moral code.
- Never be afraid to try because you are afraid to fail.
- To fail is human—To succeed in spite of our failures, this is what makes us remarkable.
- Go for it!
What motivates you in your work and life?
Learning, and not just from reading or listening, but from trying new things. For me, my best days professionally and personally are when I am exposed to something new. It allows me to keep a sense of adventure, and gives me something to look forward to.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Fear is an unacceptable excuse not to do something. While I had done a fair amount of local media, I was completely terrified when I was asked to appear on a national cable television show. I was staring at my computer, trying to come up with any possible excuse not to do it, then out of nowhere, I said to myself, “fear can not be the thing that stops you.” Since that day, I have always used that advise to push myself or others to take a chance.