Episode 44 – Garrett Boorojian and Peggy Grande discuss relationship building in a team environment.
Peggy speaks fondly of her time as former President Ronald Reagan’s Executive Assistant to Reagan’s Chief of Staff and then directly Reagan’s Executive Assistant during the first 10 out of the former President’s 15 years of his post—presidency.
As a recent college graduate from Pepperdine University, in 1989, Peggy embarked on a unique and an incredible journey that led her to be an integral part of the former President’s inner circle of staff members and assistants who served on behalf of the former President — managing his office’s communications strategy while planning and coordinating his public and private events and meetings at home and abroad. From a relationship building in a team environment perspective, they, including Peggy, were several of the former President’s closest confidants and became like family members to him and former First Lady Nancy Reagan.
Peggy, for the majority of her 20s and early 30s, became a widely—recognizable figure in American politics by working alongside one of the greatest American presidents and leaders of the 20th century and in American history.
On my podcast, Peggy discusses her book, “The President Will See You Now,” and highlights consequential events she witnessed, lessons she learned, and wisdom she gained in a post—presidential capacity as former President Reagan’s Executive Assistant. Peggy also talks about her love and devotion for America; what makes America a great nation of “We the People;” former President Reagan’s and former First Lady Nancy Reagan’s impacts on America as well as Peggy’s and her family’s lives; and Peggy’s own family’s support of, and influence on, her career.
Furthermore, from sports, media, and business perspectives, Peggy explains the significant influence former President Reagan had in these realms as a youth, as a young adult, and as a President — always exuding confidence and courage as a natural born leader and team builder of relationships.
Former President Reagan grew up as a Democrat in Illinois and evolved as a Republican in his later years in California. He supported former U.S. Presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman from the early 1930s through the early 1950s. Yet, during U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Administration, once Reagan left his Hollywood acting career behind and served as a two—time President of the Screen Actors Guild, his political preference already shifted toward conservatism as a Republican. It was in the late 1960s through the mid—1970s when he made a national name for himself as Governor of California and then in the 1980s on the world stage as President of the United States.
From former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Margaret Thatcher to former Prime Minister of Canada Brian Mulroney, from Pope John Paul II to Mother Theresa, Peggy greatly admired how former President Reagan was widely revered by his contemporaries around the globe.
The former President passed away after a long and hard—fought battle of Alzheimer’s disease on June 5, 2004, at the age of 93 in Los Angeles, California. Even 20 years after his passing, former President Reagan’s calls for strength, peace, patriotism, and unity still reverberate both near and far — and his legacy will never be forgotten.
Peggy Grande’s Professional Roles / Academic History:
- Executive Assistant to the 40th President of the United States of America, Ronald Reagan — Post Presidency (1989 — 1999)
- Author of “The President Will See You Now”
- Keynote Speaker
- Project Manager
- Executive Consultant
- Leadership Trainer
- Political Commentator
- Pepperdine University — Bachelor’s Degree, Communications and Business