President-elect Joe Biden announced on Nov. 30 an all-female senior communications team, making history as it is the first time the communication roles will be filled entirely by women. The communications team consists of seven women, many of whom previously served under the Obama Administration.
The women include Kate Bedingfield, who formerly served as deputy campaign manager and communications director for the Biden/Harris campaign and Press secretary Jen Pskai, who was formerly the Communications director under Obama. Pili Tobar, the communications director for coalitions on the Biden/Harris campaign, is also one of the women on the new communications team.
The team also includes Elizabeth Alexander, who will be the communications director for First Lady Jill Biden, and Karine Jean-Pierre who will serve as principal deputy press secretary. Symone Sanders will be the senior advisor and chief spokesperson for Kamala Harris and Ashley Ettiene the future communications director for Harris.
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris described the new history-making team as "experienced, talented, and barrier-shattering." Pskai said the team are “some of the most talented, battle-tested communicators out there.”
By appointing this team of women, Biden is sticking with his promise of building a diverse team that “looks like America,” a switch from current President Trump's mostly white and male cabinet. Biden has stated that he believes this new team will "bring diverse perspectives to their work,” and they have “a shared commitment to building this country back better."
Biden is expected to announce more cabinet members and White House staff in the coming weeks before his inauguration.