Karine Jean-Pierre is a Haitian-American political campaign organizer, activist, political commentator, and lecturer in international and public affairs at Columbia University. She is the senior advisor and national spokeswoman for MoveOn.org and a political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC. She has served as the deputy campaign manager for both the Barack Obama and Martin O'Malley presidential campaigns.[1]
Jean-Pierre was born in Martinique to Haitian immigrant parents.[2] She was raised in Queens, New York. She credits her parents' decisions for her own success in politics:[3]
I give credit to my parents. They are Haitian and immigrated to America. My dad is 70 but still drives a cab, my mom is home health care worker. They came from a country that is impoverished but left to get a better life for their kids. For them, they are so proud of me, and they feel they have reached their dream because of my successes, but without them I wouldn't be where I am. They told me I could be whatever I wanted to be, do whatever I wanted to do.
Jean-Pierre received her MPA from Columbia University's SIPA in 2003.[4]
Jean-Pierre was the southeast regional political director for John Edwards' presidential campaign.[1]
She was the southeast regional political director for Obama for America campaign.[1] During the first Obama term, Jean-Pierre served as the regional political director for the White House Office of Political Affairs.[5][6]
In 2011, Jean-Pierre served as National Deputy Battleground States Director for President Obama's 2012 re-election campaign.[6] She led the delegate selection and ballot access process, while managing the political engagement in key states.[1] She provided resources to help states determine "the best way for them to get the word out for the campaign."[5]
2020 presidential campaign
Jean-Pierre currently serves as a senior advisor to Former Vice President Joe Biden’s 2020 campaign.
Jean-Pierre joined the Columbia University faculty in 2014,[7] where she is a lecturer in international and public affairs.[8]
Jean-Pierre served as the deputy campaign manager for Martin O'Malley's presidential campaign.[1] In April 2016, MoveOn.org named her a senior advisor and national spokesperson for the 2016 presidential election. In a press release announcing the hire, MoveOn said Jean-Pierre would "advise on and serve as a spokesperson around MoveOn's electoral work, including a major effort to stand up to Donald Trump."[9] She has also appeared on Fox News, Fox Business, MSNBC, CNN, CSPAN, PBS NewsHour.[1]
In December 2018, the Haitian Times named her one of six "Haitian Newsmakers Of The Year".[7]
In January 2019, Jean-Pierre became a political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC.[10]
Jean-Pierre has often demonstrated concern for human rights. She has worked at the Center for Community and Corporate Ethics and pushed major companies like Walmart to change their business practices.[11]
Jean-Pierre identifies as lesbian.
In an interview regarding her tenure working for the Obama Administration as an openly gay staffer, she said: "What’s been wonderful is that I was not the only; I was one of many. President Obama didn’t hire LGBT staffers, he hired experienced individuals who happen to be LGBT," she says. "Serving and working for President Obama where you can be openly gay has been an amazing honor. It felt incredible to be a part of an administration that prioritizes LGBT issues."[12]