Michelle Giuda


Michelle Selesky Giuda is the current acting United States Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs announced February 12, 2019 and the current United States Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, having been sworn into office on February 3, 2018. Previously Giuda was a global senior executive overseeing communications in 81 countries, a presidential campaign deputy press secretary and a NCAA gymnastics champion. Giuda has been named one of the "Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business." and was previously named one of PR News' 30 Under 30 Rising Stars.

Early life and education

Giuda was born Michelle Mai Selesky in San Juan Capistrano, California and graduated from Aliso Niguel High School in Aliso Viejo in 2003. Her mother fled Vietnam days before the Fall of Saigon in April 1975. Her father served in the U.S. military during the Vietnam War.
Giuda graduated with honors from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. In 2008, Giuda earned a Master of Professional Studies in political management from George Washington University.

Gymnastics career

Giuda was a decorated National Champion, two-time co-captain and four year gymnast at UCLA.
She was a member of the 2004 UCLA National Championship team, a four-time NACGC academic All-American and earned All-Pac-10 honors on vault.
Some of Giuda's teammates included Olympians Kristen Maloney, Jamie Dantzscher, Mohini Bhardwaj, Kate Richardson, Tasha Schwikert and Yvonne Tousek.
In 2009 Giuda was featured in a UCLA television advertising campaign .
In 2000 Giuda won the California high school state championship in floor exercise and placed second in the all-around competition. She only competed one year in high-school then exclusively trained and competed at the Club level. She trained at the National Gymnastics Training Center in Aliso Viejo, CA.

Professional career

Just before she was appointed Assistant Secretary of State, Giuda was the Senior Vice President for Global Corporate Communications for Weber Shandwick, the youngest member of their 21-person Global Leadership Team.
She worked for five years as a senior member of former Speaker Newt Gingrich's communication team including time as the National Deputy Press Secretary for his 2012 presidential campaign.

Public Appearances & Events