Traci Scott

About Traci Scott

I was only 16 years old when I started my broadcasting career with the Far East Network (FEN) in Japan. Since then, my career path has taken me from CBS News, Capitol Hill and the Pentagon to war zones in Iraq and Afghanistan. Most recently, I have served as a key advisor to more than a dozen Army generals and a Cabinet Secretary.My career highlights include covering: Presidential Campaigns & Inaugurals, a devastating hurricane with Dan Rather, the trial of former DC Mayor Marion Barry, and multiple stories on the glitz, glamour and intrigue of the Las Vegas strip. I later decided to transition out of broadcasting, moving to Congress where I first launched a communications office for a freshman U.S. Senator and subsequently generated a similar effort for an up-and-coming political candidate. In 2003, my love of country inspired me to go to Iraq, where I served as a civilian Press Officer for the Coalition Provisional Authority. Later, I was chosen to stand up the press office for the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan.I attribute my best education outside of the classroom to the time that I worked as an advisor to 16 Army generals over a period of 9 years. I calculated that about every 10 months a new deployment was underway, bringing in another general to take command. Each time I provided sound counsel and successfully gained their trust. Although I have never served in uniform, my family has a notable history of 3 generations of military service. My father, Captain Jesse Scott, was a Tuskegee Airman; my grandfather served as a Merchant Marine; my stepfather is a retired Air Force Master Sergeant; and my nephew currently serves in the Air Force Reserves. In 2015, I was one of 60 cohorts chosen from applicants to participate in the first Presidential Leadership Scholars class. This prestigious program was founded by Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Those lessons in leadership led me to create and develop a non-profit, The Green Dress Project, which mentors and prepares young women from underserved communities for their future careers. SPECIALTIES: Communications, Broadcast Journalist, DoD, Legislative Relations, Government Affairs, War Zone Experience, Public Speaker, Media Strategy, Media Skills Training for Senior Leaders, Speechwriting, Spokesperson, Presentation Coaching, Message Development, Media Interviews, Public Affairs

Experience

1. Cohort & Alumni Program

   Presidential Leadership Scholars

   Jan 2016 — Present · US

   Since 2015, Presidential Leadership Scholars (PLS) has enabled a diverse network of mid-career professionals to hone their leadership abilities through interactions with former U.S. presidents, key federal ocials, leading academics, and business & civic leaders. Each Scholar is also inspired to lead lasting, positive change through a personal leadership project that addresses a problem or pressing issue in their community, country or around the world. I had already heard about this opportunity to elevate my leadership skills and community involvement when the Graduate School of Political Management at GW (where I’d earned my master’s degree) announced their plan to nominate me for the PLS program. More than a thousand professionals across the U.S. applied for the inaugural class of 2015. I was honored to be one of the 60 chosen.Each of us were attracted to PLS to advance our leadership skills along with our personal leadership projects. I addressed my deep concern for young women who were making career-limiting mistakes even before applying for their first job—especially those from low economic backgrounds or underserved communities.PLS enabled me to make my vision come alive when I launched The Green Dress Project. Via day-long workshops based on four pillars, I mentored young women 15 yrs. and up so they could develop. VALUES IN THE WORKPLACE: From the importance of showing up to work on time, to how to shake hands THE GREEN DRESS STYLE: How to dress appropriately for the oce SOFT SKILLS FOR THE WORKPLACE: Critical interpersonal skills for interacting with supervisors a well as fellow employees A BASIC FINANCIAL PLAN: How to budget for their career goals, whether they are headed to a university, community college, or straight to the workplace.The most personally rewarding and unexpected result was when mothers started attending the workshops both to support their daughters and to strengthen their own skills.

Education

• Howard University

  Bachelor of Arts - BA

• The George Washington University

  Masters of Political Management