Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Karine Jean-Pierre

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 22, 2025

Discover the career path of Karine Jean-Pierre, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Karine Jean-Pierre is a French-American political advisor. She is notable for being the first Black person and openly LGBTQ person to serve as White House Press Secretary, holding the position from May 2022 to January 2025. Prior to this role, she was the Deputy Press Secretary under Jen Psaki (2021-2022) and served as Chief of Staff for Kamala Harris during the 2020 presidential campaign. She also briefly served as a Senior Advisor to President Joe Biden. Her career marks significant milestones in representation within American politics.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2004: Southeast Regional Political Director for John Edwards

In 2004, Karine Jean-Pierre was the southeast regional political director for John Edwards' presidential campaign.

2006: Outreach Coordinator for Walmart Watch

In 2006, Karine Jean-Pierre was hired as the outreach coordinator for Walmart Watch in Washington, D.C.

2008: Obama Campaign Political Director

In 2008, Karine Jean-Pierre was the campaign's southeast regional political director for Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

2011: National Deputy Battleground States Director

In 2011, Karine Jean-Pierre served as National Deputy Battleground States Director for President Obama's 2012 re-election campaign.

2012: Re-election Campaign

In 2012, Karine Jean-Pierre served as National Deputy Battleground States Director for President Obama's re-election campaign.

2014: Joined Columbia University Faculty

In 2014, Karine Jean-Pierre joined the Columbia University faculty as a lecturer in international and public affairs.

April 2016: Senior Advisor and National Spokesperson for MoveOn

In April 2016, MoveOn named Jean-Pierre as a senior advisor and national spokesperson for the 2016 presidential election.

2016: Deputy Campaign Manager for Martin O'Malley

In 2016, Karine Jean-Pierre served as the deputy campaign manager for Martin O'Malley's 2016 presidential campaign.

January 2019: Political Analyst for NBC News and MSNBC

In January 2019, Jean-Pierre became a political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC.

2019: Published "Moving Forward"

In 2019, Jean-Pierre's book, Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America, was published.

May 2020: Senior Advisor to Joe Biden's Campaign

In May 2020, Jean-Pierre joined the Biden team as a senior advisor to Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign, motivated by a desire to shape the future for her daughter.

November 29, 2020: Principal Deputy Press Secretary

On November 29, 2020, it was announced that Jean-Pierre had been made Principal Deputy Press Secretary.

2020: Chief of Staff for Kamala Harris

In 2020, Karine Jean-Pierre served as the chief of staff for U.S. Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris during the 2020 presidential campaign.

2020: Senior Advisor and National Spokeswoman for MoveOn.org

Prior to working with Kamala Harris during the 2020 election, Jean-Pierre was the senior advisor and national spokeswoman for the progressive advocacy group MoveOn.org. in 2020

May 26, 2021: First White House Press Briefing

On May 26, 2021, Karine Jean-Pierre gave her first White House press briefing, becoming the first openly LGBTQ person to do so and the first Black woman to do so since 1991.

2021: Appointed Deputy Press Secretary

In 2021, Karine Jean-Pierre became the Deputy Press Secretary to Jen Psaki.

May 5, 2022: Announcement as White House Press Secretary Successor

On May 5, 2022, it was announced that Karine Jean-Pierre would succeed Jen Psaki as White House Press Secretary on May 13.

May 2022: Appointed White House Press Secretary

In May 2022, Karine Jean-Pierre became the White House Press Secretary, marking a historic moment as the first Black person and openly LGBTQ+ individual to hold the position.