Arts Global

Kim Akhtar is a journalist and writer. She is currently contributing editor for Departures Magazine, and Food & Wine, both part of the American Express Publishing Group of Magazines, and media assistant and speechwriter for Queen Noor of Jordan.

Ms Akhtar is also a published writer. Her first book, La Nieta de la Maharani was published in Spain in April 2009, and in Latin America and Brazil in the autumn of 2009. The follow up, La Princesa Perdida came out in Spain in May 2011 followed by the rest of Latin America. Her third book, Miel y Almendras, a novel, was published in Spain May 2012 and in Latin America in September 2012.

After graduating from Bryn Mawr College in 1985, Ms Akhtar started her career in the music business at Fiction Records, where she was assistant manager for The Cure. She moved to EMI Records as Director of Public Relations for a brief stint, after which she worked with The Zagat Restaurant Guides before joining CBS News in January 1993.

Ms Akhtar worked for CBS News until June 30, 2006. She came to CBS News as the press representative for the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather and Connie Chung. She was promoted to Director, CBS News Communications in 1995 and then to Senior Director in 1996 after the political conventions in August of that year.

In 2000, Ms Akhtar became Dan Rather’s Chief of Staff. She served as his key advisor and continued to be his spokesperson, realizing all public relations strategies and publicity efforts relating to his CBS News activities and assignments.

She was responsible for creating, coordinating and handling Rathers’ external projects: books, speeches, the creation of the Rather Archives at Boston University, the creation of the Dan Rather School of Journalism at Sam Houston State University as well as an annual scholarship.

Ms Akhtar traveled extensively with Rather, including the wars in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq, working (producing and booking) on many stories with Rather for the three broadcasts he was involved in: the Evening News, 48 Hours and 60 Minutes.

She wrote and collaborated with Rather on all of his public speeches and other writings. She wrote and produced his daily radio commentary and collaborated with him on many of his books.

Ms Akhtar’s educational background is as follows:

•  Bedales School, Hampshire, UK (“O” and “A” Levels)
•  Ecole Active Bilingue, Paris
• Bryn Mawr College – Double-majored / Economics and French / Graduated “summa cum laude” in 3 years (standard practice with “A” Level students)

Ms Akhtar speaks six languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Hindi and Urdu.

She lives in New York City.