Dee Dee Myers
Discover the life and career of Dee Dee Myers (born September 1, 1961), the trailblazing American public servant who became the first woman White House Press Secretary, consulted on The West Wing, led communications at Warner Bros., and now serves as California’s GO-Biz Director. Read her biography, achievements, legacy, and a curated list of famous Dee Dee Myers quotes.
Introduction
Dee Dee Myers—born Margaret Jane Myers—is a political communicator who helped define a new era of media-savvy governance. As President Bill Clinton’s first White House Press Secretary, she broke a historic barrier while learning to navigate 24/7 cable news and the early internet. After government service, she shaped public discourse across journalism, television, corporate leadership, and state economic strategy. Today, her voice continues to influence policy and business through California’s Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz).
Early Life and Family
Myers was born on September 1, 1961, at Quonset Point in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, and grew up in Valencia, Santa Clarita, California. Her father served as a U.S. Navy aviator, and her mother worked in real estate, experiences that exposed her early to discipline, public service, and community life. She graduated from William S. Hart High School in 1979.
Youth and Education
A first-generation striver in California’s public-spirited culture, Myers studied political science at Santa Clara University, earning her B.A. in 1983. Those studies soon led her into practical politics; by her early twenties she was stuffing envelopes and learning the rhythms of campaigns from the inside.
Career and Achievements
Campaign apprenticeship
Myers’ first big break came on Walter Mondale’s 1984 presidential campaign, followed by roles with Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, Michael Dukakis (1988), and Dianne Feinstein (1990). In 1991, she managed Frank Jordan’s run for San Francisco mayor—a crash course in message discipline, regional media, and rapid response.
Breaking the White House barrier
After joining Bill Clinton’s team in 1991, Myers was named the 19th White House Press Secretary on January 20, 1993—the first woman ever to hold the post—serving until December 22, 1994. In an era before social media but amid proliferating cable outlets, she became a steadying public face of the new administration.
Media and pop culture
Post-White House, Myers became Washington editor and later contributing editor at Vanity Fair; she co-hosted CNBC’s Equal Time and consulted on NBC’s The West Wing, a role that helped inspire the show’s iconic press secretary C. J. Cregg. She also made a brief appearance as herself in Robert Zemeckis’s film Contact (1997).
Corporate leadership
Bridging politics and business, Myers served as Managing Director at the Glover Park Group before becoming Executive Vice President of Worldwide Corporate Communications & Public Affairs at Warner Bros. in 2014, a position she held for five years.
Board service
In 2018, Myers joined the Wynn Resorts board as an independent director, part of a board refresh that increased diversity; in 2025 the company announced she would not seek re-election after seven years of service.
Return to public service
In December 2020, California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Myers Senior Advisor to the Governor and Director of GO-Biz, the cabinet-level office that leads statewide job growth, investment attraction, and trade. Her portfolio includes programs such as the California Competes incentives and initiatives in clean energy and supply-chain modernization.
Historical Milestones & Context
Myers’ tenure as press secretary coincided with a media revolution: 24-hour news, satellite feeds, and an increasingly adversarial briefing room. Her post-Washington work—journalism, entertainment, and corporate strategy—mapped onto the convergence of politics, pop culture, and brand reputation. Serving later in California’s C-suite government during a period of economic transition, she became a bridge between public policy and private-sector growth in areas like zero-emission vehicles and port logistics—signature California priorities in the 2020s.
Legacy and Influence
-
Trailblazer for women in the West Wing. Myers’ appointment opened a door that changed expectations for women in high-stakes political communications. The character arc of C. J. Cregg kept that story in the cultural bloodstream for a generation.
-
Cross-sector leadership. From Vanity Fair to Warner Bros. to GO-Biz, she demonstrated how strategic communication can align institutions, markets, and the public interest.
-
Board governance. Her appointment to Wynn Resorts exemplified the push for diversity and accountability on major corporate boards.
Personality and Talents
Colleagues and reporters often note Myers’ composure, quick wit, and stamina—traits honed in the White House briefing room and recalibrated for corporate and government leadership. Her writing and speaking emphasize listening, coalition-building, and clarity, whether she’s coaching executives or briefing journalists.
Famous Quotes of Dee Dee Myers
(for readers searching “Dee Dee Myers quotes” and “famous sayings of Dee Dee Myers”)
-
“If people believe you’re on their side, they will trust your decisions.”
-
“I was supposed to be authoritative, but at the same time had to be likeable.”
-
“Women communicate differently and process information differently, which leads them to resolve conflicts differently.”
-
From Why Women Should Rule the World: “More women should lead—not because they are the same as men, but precisely because they are different.”
Looking for more? Her 2008 book, Why Women Should Rule the World, gathers personal stories and research into a practical philosophy of leadership and inclusion.
Lessons from Dee Dee Myers
-
Break barriers—and then rewrite the playbook. Myers’ career shows how firsts become frameworks others can use.
-
Translate across worlds. The same disciplines—message, metrics, and mission—can guide politics, media, and business.
-
Listen first. Trust is built when people feel heard; that’s true in briefing rooms, boardrooms, and town halls.
-
Invest in public-private partnerships. Smart incentives and trade outreach can turn policy into paychecks.
-
Tell the story well. Clear, credible communication is a public service—especially in crises and change.
Conclusion
The life and career of Dee Dee Myers cut a path through government, media, and business at moments when each was rapidly evolving. As the first woman to serve as White House Press Secretary, a consultant to a generation-defining political drama, a corporate executive, a director on a Fortune 500 board, and now a cabinet-level economic development chief in California, she has repeatedly shown how credible communication and pragmatic leadership move institutions forward.
Explore more famous sayings of Dee Dee Myers and uncover leadership wisdom you can apply today—whether you’re navigating a newsroom, a startup, or public service.