Georgetown Writes: Alumni in Politics

On Thursday, October 6, join the Georgetown University Library Associates for the third Georgetown Writes program, featuring alumni discussing their experiences and careers within their chosen field.

Mike Donilon (C’81, L’91), Lawyer and Political Campaign Consultant, Mark Salter (C’81), Author and Speechwriter

and moderator

Erik Smulson (C’89), Vice President for Public Affairs and Senior Advisor to the President

Mike Donilon is a lawyer, political campaign consultant and partner at AKPD Message and Media. Donilon served as Senior Adviser to Vice President Joe Biden between 2009 and 2013 and has been an adviser and consultant to Vice President Biden since 1981. Donilon has been instrumental in the presidential campaigns of every Democratic nominee since President Bill Clinton and has helped elect numerous Democratic Senators and Governors.

Mark Salter is a former Chief of Staff and speech writer for Senator John McCain. Salter served as a senior advisor in both of McCain's presidential campaigns and held the position of chief foreign policy advisor for more than three years. A 1981 graduate of Georgetown University, Salter worked as a press officer in the United States Mission to the United Nations, following which he served until 1989 as press aide and speechwriter to former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N, Dr. Jeane Kirkpatrick. Salter has written numerous books in collaboration with Senator McCain and currently lives in Washington, DC with his wife and two daughters.

Erik Smulson joined Georgetown University in September 2005 after more than 15 years working on Capitol Hill and on political campaigns. At Georgetown, Smulson served as Assistant Vice President for Communications from September 2005 until January 2007. In that role he served as spokesperson and communications director for the university and guided all activities having to do with media relations. From 2007 to 2011, Erik served as Chief of Staff to Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia. In that role, he was responsible for running the Office of the President and served as a liaison with important constituents both within and outside the academic community. A native Washingtonian, Erik and his wife Jennifer (I’89) have three children.

The Georgetown University Library Associates are a group of Georgetown alumni, parents and friends dedicated to supporting the Library. To learn more, contact us at 202.687.7446 or visit us at the Library Associates web page.

6:00pm - 8:00pm
Pierce Reading Room, Lauinger Library