Symone Sanders Townsend

EXCLUSIVE
  • Political Strategist and Former CNN Political Commentator
  • Host & Anchor, MSNBC's 'The Weekend'
  • Former Senior Advisor and Chief Spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris
  • Author of 'No, You Shut Up: Speaking Truth to Power and Reclaiming America'

Symone Sanders Townsend: Strategic Communicator | Leadership Catalyst | Advocate for Change

Symone Sanders Townsend is a powerhouse communicator and thought leader whose TED Talk Stop asking permission! challenges audiences to lead with courage, authenticity, and conviction. A dynamic voice on leadership, resilience, and social change, Sanders Townsend has built a career at the intersection of strategy, communication, and equity—advising leaders and organizations on how to navigate high-stakes challenges with clarity and purpose.

Sanders Townsend made history as the youngest national press secretary for a U.S. presidential campaign, working with Senator Bernie Sanders. She later served as a senior advisor for President Joe Biden’s presidential campaign and as a senior member of the Biden-Harris administration. She went on to become a prominent political commentator for CNN and currently serves as host of SYMONE on MSNBC, in addition to anchoring and hosting for MSNBC’s streaming platform, The Choice.

The author of No, You Shut Up: Speaking Truth to Power and Reclaiming America, Sanders Townsend shares her take-no-prisoners approach to leadership and career success, inspiring a new generation to embrace authenticity and drive meaningful change. She has delivered energizing keynotes at SXSW, Politico’s Women Rule Summit, the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity, and beyond. As principal of the 360 Group, she has also advised corporations, nonprofits, and advocacy organizations on messaging, strategy, and social impact initiatives.

With humor, insight, and unshakable authenticity, Sanders Townsend delivers transformative talks on leadership, communication, diversity, and navigating change—empowering audiences across industries to stop asking for permission and start making their mark.

 


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Rave Reviews About Symone Sanders Townsend
Symone's speech was AWESOME! Given our political climate, I think our students really needed to hear what she had to say. She was educational, funny, timely, and inspiring.

More rave reviews

"Symone, your expertise, poise, and commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue were truly evident throughout the symposium, and your contributions played a crucial role in its success. Your skillful moderation ensured that the discussions remained insightful, engaging, and focused on key issues related to police violence, public safety, and policy reform. Your ability to navigate complex topics with clarity and empathy created a safe and productive space for participants to share their experiences, perspectives, and ideas. Thank you once again for your invaluable contributions to the symposium. Your participation has made a lasting impact, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have had you as a moderator for such an important and meaningful event."

-Veda Ajamu, Chief DEI Programs & Community Engagement Officer, National Civil Rights Museum

"Your expertise, poise, and commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue were truly evident throughout the symposium, and your contributions played a crucial role in its success. Your skillful moderation ensured that the discussions remained insightful, engaging, and focused on key issues related to police violence, public safety, and policy reform. Your ability to navigate complex topics with clarity and empathy created a safe and productive space for participants to share their experiences, perspectives, and ideas. Thank you once again for your invaluable contributions to the symposium. Your participation has made a lasting impact, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have had you as a moderator for such an important and meaningful event."

-Veda Ajamu, Chief DEI Programs & Community Engagement Officer, National Civil Rights Museum

"Everything went amazing. She is a rare light that illuminated her unique style to our guests. We are WOW'd!"

-African American Community Service Agency

"She was excellent! Really dynamic, engaged, insightful, and energetic. I received all positive feedback. Please pass along my sincere thanks to Symone!"

-Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP
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Honoree Symone Sanders-Townsend's remarks at the Girls Inc. National Luncheon in New York - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Symone Sanders Townsend
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Authenticity as Strategy: The New Playbook for Bold, Effective Leadership

Authenticity is not a liability, it’s a leadership superpower. In this compelling talk, SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND explores how showing up fully as yourself can lead to deeper trust, stronger relationships, and sustainable success. Perfect for leaders and teams looking to build cultures where people fe ...

Authenticity is not a liability, it’s a leadership superpower. In this compelling talk, SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND explores how showing up fully as yourself can lead to deeper trust, stronger relationships, and sustainable success. Perfect for leaders and teams looking to build cultures where people feel seen, valued, and inspired to perform at their best.

Women Who Lead: Redefining Power on Our Own Terms

SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND didn’t just break barriers, she redefined what leadership looks like for women in politics, media, and public life. In this inspiring and deeply personal keynote, she reflects on being a young, Black, outspoken woman in rooms where few looked like her, and how she learned to ...

SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND didn’t just break barriers, she redefined what leadership looks like for women in politics, media, and public life. In this inspiring and deeply personal keynote, she reflects on being a young, Black, outspoken woman in rooms where few looked like her, and how she learned to lead without apology. She challenges outdated expectations of 'likability' and perfection, and encourages women to lead from a place of authenticity, ambition, and conviction.

Communicating with Impact: Strategy, Clarity, and Calm in High-Stakes Moments

From campaign war rooms to national newsrooms, SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND has led communications in high-pressure, high-visibility environments. In this insightful session, she shares a blueprint for clear, confident messaging when it matters most. Offering tools that help teams navigate tough conversa ...

From campaign war rooms to national newsrooms, SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND has led communications in high-pressure, high-visibility environments. In this insightful session, she shares a blueprint for clear, confident messaging when it matters most. Offering tools that help teams navigate tough conversations, public scrutiny, and internal alignment with grace and authority.

Leading Without Permission: Empowering the Next Generation of Change Agents

SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND made history as the youngest national press secretary in U.S. history and went on to serve in the White House and anchor her own national television show, all before the age of 35. In this energizing and motivational keynote, Symone urges young professionals, students, and em ...

SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND made history as the youngest national press secretary in U.S. history and went on to serve in the White House and anchor her own national television show, all before the age of 35. In this energizing and motivational keynote, Symone urges young professionals, students, and emerging leaders to stop waiting for validation and instead claim their power, trust their gut, and lead boldly. She shares lessons on rejecting imposter syndrome, building your platform, and leading with purpose in spaces where you may be the youngest, or the only.

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Speaker News

Women Making History: Symone Sanders Townsend honored by Girls Inc.

Youngest-ever presidential press secretary SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND, an alumna of Girls Inc. of Omaha, was honored by Girls Inc. during Women’s History Month for her work progressing social justice and lifting up the voices of marginalized communities. Stephanie J. Hull, Ph.D., President & CEO of Girls Inc. said, “We are thrilled to honor leaders who set such outstanding examples for girls and young women... it's a special pleasure to invite an alumna to the stage.”

Watch Symone Sanders Townsend’s remarks at the Girls Inc. National Luncheon >>

Event Success Story: Symone Sanders Townsend leads a vital dialogue at the National Civil Rights Museum

Seasoned political strategist, former CNN political commentator, and extremely skilled moderator SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND led the conversation “The Resilience: Combatting Police Violence through Policy and Public Safety” at the National Civil Rights Museum. Focusing on empowering attendees with strategies rooted in policy reform and community-led safety alternatives, Sanders Townsend navigated difficult topics with intelligence and poise. Veda Ajamu, Chief DEI Programs & Community Engagement Officer of the museum, shared publicly, “Your skillful moderation ensured that the discussions remained insightful, engaging, and focused on key issues…Your ability to navigate complex topics with clarity and empathy created a safe and productive space for participants to share their experiences, perspectives, and ideas…Your participation has made a lasting impact.”

Watch Symone Sanders Townsend moderate at SXSW >>

Watch Symone Sanders Townsend on a panel with The Daily Show >>

Symone Sanders Townsend announced as host of INROADS Benefit Gala

Seasoned political strategist, former CNN political commentator, and communications expert SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND was tapped to serve as the host and Master of Ceremonies for INROADS annual fundraising Benefit Gala, presented by Proctor & Gamble. Her groundbreaking work as the youngest Presidential Press Secretary makes Sanders Townsend the ideal voice for an event called “Breaking Barriers and Making History.” Sanders Townsend is a gracious host, engaging audiences with the uplifting core spirit of the event.

Watch Symone Sanders Townsend moderating at SXSW >>

Watch Symone Sanders Townsend in discussion with the Tom Tom Foundation >>

Symone Sanders Townsend receives rave reviews from audiences of all kinds for her insightful and engaging talks

Accomplished political strategist and commentator SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND shares her political prowess, expertise in communication skills, in-depth analysis of key societal issues, and the possibilities for radical change with humor, authenticity, and wisdom. Sanders Townsend is an in-demand speaker for her unique insight into building culture that is rooted in meaningful diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Sanders Townsend has been sought-after by groups like Metropolitan State University, the African American Community Service Agency, Earlham College, Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP, and many more. She regularly receives rave reviews for her deeply inspiring engagements, such as: 

  • Metropolitan State University: “Symone’s speech was AWESOME! Given our political climate, I think our students really needed to hear what she had to say. She was educational, funny, timely, and inspiring”
  • African American Community Service Agency: “Everything went amazing. She is a rare light that illuminated her unique style to our guests. We are WOW’d!”
  • Kessler Topaz Meltzer & Check, LLP: “She was excellent! Really dynamic, engaged, insightful, and energetic. I received all positive feedback. Please pass along my sincere thanks to Symone!”

Watch Symone Sanders Townsend on MSNBC’s Morning Joe >>

Watch Symone Sanders Townsend moderating at SXSW >>

Symone Sanders Townsend takes on her next major role, hosting MSNBC’s ‘The Weekend’

Seasoned political strategist, former CNN political commentator, and communications expert SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND hosts MSNBC’s The Weekend to encourage productive political conversation. Hosted by Sanders Townsend alongside Michael Steele and Alicia Menendez, The Weekend is a nonpartisan, go-to source for viewers of MSNBC showcasing diverse perspectives, opinions, and identities. Sanders Townsend told The Hill, “It’s important that people can come to a place and see folks with various viewpoints, have a conversation, and they can walk away making their own decision.”

Watch Symone Sanders Townsend speak on campaign strategy at Meet the Press here >>

Watch Symone Sanders Townsend moderating at SXSW >>

Symone Sanders Townsend is creating the discourse that is missing in media and considering all vantage points with her new show SYMONE

Experienced democratic political strategist SYMONE SANDERS TOWNSEND’s namesake show provides essential context on the most pressing issues facing Americans today. As Forbes said of her new MSNBC show SYMONE, “viewers will see the same version of the high-energy, politics- and culture-obsessed dynamo who’s worked for Senator Bernie Sanders as well as the Biden 2020 campaign, and as a spokesperson for Vice President Harris.” The communications expert and former CNN commentator joined The New York Times Opinion podcast Sway to share how she is covering the administration she just left as well as importance of including multiple vantage points in any conversation. “I think it is very important to not paint with a broad stroke brush,” she said of her curated and balanced political panels. This unique gift for including and considering all vantage points is part of what Sanders Townsend considers her due diligence to ensure audiences are receiving the most thorough reporting possible on every story that comes across her anchor desk, and makes her an in-demand commentator for her rigorous analysis, fearless insights, and commitment to getting the whole story.

Drawing on her intimate involvement with the Biden/Harris administration and its policy initiatives, the former senior advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris told Politico, “Something that my show will be able to offer that is different than any other show is keen insight into the people, the policies, and the plans of this administration and the current president and vice president of America.” In her conversation on the Sway podcast, Sanders Townsend shares that – as a former critic of the media apparatus – she now has a responsibility to create change, saying: “I now have the opportunity to create and facilitate that particular discourse.” Sought after for her expertise in communication and political strategy, in-depth analysis, and definitive perspective, Sanders Townsend brings authenticity, humor, and insight to events with groups like SXSW, Politico’s Women Rule Summit, the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity, and more.

Watch Symone Sanders Townsend’s explosive interview with the First Lady on SYMONE >>

Watch Symone Sanders Townsend on MSNBC’s Morning Joe >>

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Biography

Symone Sanders Townsend is an author and seasoned political strategist.

Sanders Townsend rose to prominence in 2016 as the national press secretary for U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders’s then-presidential campaign.  At 25, she became the youngest presidential press secretary on record and was named to Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of 16 young Americans shaping  the 2016 election.  At 29, she published her first book, No, You Shut Up: Speaking Truth to Power and Reclaiming America and served as a senior advisor for President Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign.  At 31, Sanders Townsend was appointed as a senior member of the Biden-Harris administration serving as Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor and Chief Spokesperson to Vice President Kamala Harris.

A communicator with a passion for problem solving and social justice, Sanders Townsend served as the national chair of the Coalition of Juvenile Justice Emerging Leaders Committee and a member of the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice before joining Senator Sanders’s campaign. There, she worked to raise the profile of young voices in the fight for juvenile justice reform and brought millennial perspectives to policy conversations. Prior to joining the Biden-Harris administration, Sanders Townsend was principal of the 360 Group where she helped clients find sound solutions to tough political and social problems. 

Sanders Townsend is a former political commentator for CNN and resident fellow of both Harvard's Institute of Politics at the Kennedy School and the University of Southern California's Center for the Political Future.  

She is a native of North Omaha, Nebraska and currently resides in Washington D.C. with her husband, Shawn.