Heather Nauert Joins Spirit of America’s Board of Advisors
Nauert Previously Served as Spokesperson for the US Department of State and Acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs
ARLINGTON, VA – Spirit of America, a nonprofit organization that harnesses the power of the American people and private philanthropy to support US national security, today announced that Heather Nauert has joined its Board of Advisors.
“Authoritarian regimes and terrorist organizations are working overtime to discredit America and turn people against our values,” said Jim Hake, Spirit of America Founder and CEO. “Spirit of America has made international communications a core capability to tell America’s story with clarity and conviction and help America win this war of ideas. Heather is an accomplished strategist who brings deep communications expertise to the Spirit of America team. She will be key in advancing this vital work.”
From 2017 to 2019, Heather served as Spokesperson for the US Department of State, shaping US foreign policy messaging and coordinating communications across the Department, its embassies, and consulates worldwide. She led Department press briefings and worked closely with two US Secretaries of State, Rex Tillerson and Mike Pompeo. As a key member of Secretary Pompeo’s senior executive team, she traveled extensively with the Secretary, attended crucial bilateral meetings, and spearheaded communication efforts on top initiatives, including U.S. negotiations in North Korea with Chairman Kim Jong Un, discussions with US counterparts in China and Russia, and the release of American prisoners wrongfully detained abroad.
“It’s an honor to join the Advisory Board of Spirit of America, an organization devoted to connecting the goodwill of the American people with the needs of our deployed troops and partner nations. Together, we help strengthen stability, build trust, and uphold the values that unite freedom-loving people around the world. I look forward to ensuring that our support, partnership, and goodwill reach those on the front lines of defense and diplomacy,” said Heather Nauert.
In 2018, President Trump appointed Heather as Acting Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the State Department, where she was responsible for several bureaus, including Global Public Affairs and Educational and Cultural Affairs. These offices oversee communications, public diplomacy, and the design and implementation of educational and other exchange programs that advance US foreign policy interests.
Prior to her tenure in the US Department of State, Heather served as a correspondent and news anchor at Fox News Channel, WYNW-TV, and ABC News in Los Angeles. For nearly 20 years, she covered almost every major domestic news story and global crisis affecting Americans, including the 9/11 terror attacks, the US invasion of Iraq, the genocide in Darfur, Sudan, and natural disasters. Heather’s firsthand experience covering the 9/11 terror attacks in New York City inspired her to become an advocate for post–9/11 combat veterans. She is a proud member of the National Advisory Board of Warrior and Quiet Waters, a nationally recognized veterans service organization in Montana.
Learn more about Spirit of America’s Board of Advisors: spiritofamerica.org/about/board-and-advisors
About Spirit of America
Spirit of America is a privately funded nonprofit that unites the American people with US troops and diplomats in common cause: to defend freedom, strengthen security, and save and improve lives.
Spirit of America has an unprecedented partnership with the US military, formalized through an agreement with the Department of Defense. This partnership allows military personnel to collaborate with Spirit of America, identify needs, receive and distribute assistance, and provide logistical support.
Spirit of America has implemented over 1,600 projects in 114 countries in support of America’s national security.
No endorsement of Spirit of America by the US Department of Defense, Department of State, or their personnel is intended or implied.
