Lessons from the Campaign Trail: A Conversation with Jen O'Malley Dillon
Description
What does it take to manage a presidential campaign through one of the most consequential and unpredictable election cycles in American history—and what can the lessons of 2024 tell us about the campaigns ahead? Join the Institute of Politics for a candid lunchtime conversation with Jen O’Malley Dillon, former Campaign Chair for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, as she reflects on the decisions, challenges, and turning points that shaped the campaign.
Drawing on her experience at the highest levels of Democratic campaign management, O’Malley Dillon will discuss the evolving demands of political campaigns, from the 2024 presidential race to the 2026 midterms and the road to 2028. The conversation will explore how technology, data, changing voter coalitions, and a rapidly shifting political landscape are reshaping campaign strategy—and what the next generation of campaign managers can learn from the cycles ahead.
Lunch will be served.
About Jen O'Malley Dillon
Jen O’Malley Dillon is a seasoned political strategist and public affairs leader with extensive experience in government, campaign management, and strategic communications. She has served at the highest levels of public service, most recently as White House Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to the President, where she played a key role in shaping policy initiatives, coordinating interagency efforts, and managing complex national and international challenges.
A veteran of multiple presidential campaigns, including as the first woman to manage a winning Democratic presidential campaign, Jen has led large-scale operations, overseeing multi-billion-dollar budgets and thousands of personnel. She has advised on political strategy at the international level and played a senior leadership role in three winning U.S. presidential campaigns.
Before her time in the White House, she co-founded Precision Strategies, a strategic communications, data and digital firm, where she worked with Fortune 100 companies, philanthropic organizations, and advocacy groups on high-stakes policy and public affairs initiatives.
A Massachusetts native and Tufts University graduate, Jen is a proud mom to three young children.
Please register with a valid Harvard email address to attend in-person.
Featuring
-
Former Campaign Chair for President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024
Attendance Information
In keeping with our long tradition at the IOP to ensure honest and candid discussions of politics, this event is off-the-record.
Please register with a valid Harvard email address to attend in-person.
Accessibility
The IOP encourages persons with disabilities to participate in our programs. If you have questions about accommodations or the physical access provided, please contact 617-495-1360 or iop_info@hks.harvard.edu in advance of the event.