Huma Abedin on Women's Ambition & Breaking Down Barriers

Work Friends

This episode of Work Friends was recorded on October 3, 2024.

In this episode, Sali is joined by Huma Abedin who, for over 25 years, has worked alongside Secretary Hillary Clinton in a number of leadership roles. Beginning as an intern in the then-First Lady’s office in 1996, Huma rose to Senior Advisor to then-Senator Clinton; Traveling Chief of Staff for the Clinton 2008 presidential campaign; Deputy Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of State under the Obama Administration; and Vice Chair of Hillary for America in 2016.

Today, Huma continues her work with Secretary Clinton, but has paved a unique career path as a New York Times bestseller, co-host of Morning Mika, MSNBC contributor, and, through her work with the annual Forbes 30/50 Summit and Vital Voices Global Partnership, a staunch advocate for women’s ambition. Huma has led a storied career and shares so much of it in today’s conversation, including:

• her childhood overseas and earliest understandings of feminism and equality.
• her first White House internship where she was assigned to the First Lady’s office.
• overcoming feelings of self-doubt and being unqualified.
• how Anna Wintour encouraged her to write her memoir, Both/And.
• how she learned to be the central character in her own play.
• and, reflections on the 2016 election and why the world needs to see a woman in the commander-in-chief role.

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