Sarah Culvahouse Mills directs strategic projects involving regional media outreach for The Heritage Foundation. Mills, a manager of media affairs, is responsible for communications projects in targeted areas across the nation, raising awareness of Heritage research, analysis and commentary at print, broadcast and digital news outlets.
Before joining Heritage in 2010, Mills created integrated advocacy campaigns, specializing in media and rebuilding reputations, for Powell Tate | Weber Shandwick, the Washington-based communications and public affairs firm.
Her professional experience also includes White House service, political campaigns and broadcast and print reporting.
Mills was an on-the-record assistant press secretary in the office of first lady Laura Bush, overseeing her regional press advance work and events for two years. That portfolio included policy initiatives such as global diplomacy, the Gulf Coast recovery, the Heart Truth campaign’s Red Dress Project, Helping America’s Youth, and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
She also was responsible for communications planning and implementation for Mrs. Bush’s social events, including production of the first-ever network morning show in the White House kitchen, media coverage of state and formal dinners, and holiday events such as the White House Easter Egg Roll.
Before going to work at the White House, she was part of a Republican National Committee broadcast team that coordinated, booked and produced more than 300 surrogate interviews for the Bush-Cheney re-election campaign with television stations in key markets.
She contributed to the Mount Vernon Gazette-Packet and Alexandria Times as a staff and freelance writer from 1999 through 2008.
Mills, who was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in Alexandria, Va., holds a bachelor of arts degree in English language and literature from the University of Virginia. She has completed coursework towards a master’s degree in international affairs at Georgetown University. She and her husband currently reside with their two sons in Alexandria.