Doro Bush Koch

A Conversation with Doro Bush Koch

Most of the U.S. saw President George H. W. Bush as a statesman and leader, someone perpetually on the world stage. But, as the daughter of the 41st president of the U.S., Doro Bush Koch was close to the man the cameras and reporters never saw: a father, a man possessed of strong personal convictions, yet whose humility runs deep. In a unique presentation based on her best-selling book My Father, My President, Koch engages the audience in a highly personal and candid conversation about the George H.W. Bush that few people saw. Opening herself up to questions, Koch—at once charming and disarming—draws back the political curtains to reveal her father in anecdotes that show his leadership style, his endless sense of fun and humor, and his ability to connect emotionally with those around him. Audiences discover what many of the world leaders, politicians and journalists Koch interviewed for her book already knew: that George H. W. Bush was a savvy politician and effective leader while remaining humble, kind, and generous. Most of the U.S. saw President George H. W. Bush as a statesman and leader, someone perpetually on the world stage. But, as the daughter of the 41st president, Doro Bush Koch was close to the man the cameras and reporters never saw: a father, a man with strong personal convictions, and whose humility ran deep.

“It was one of the greatest joys of my life,” says Bush Koch of writing her New York Times bestselling book, My Father My President: A Personal Account of the Life of George H.W. Bush. Published in 2006, she added six new chapters to cover the remaining 12 years of his life and legacy.

In a unique presentation, Bush Koch engages the audience in a highly personal and candid conversation about the George H.W. Bush that few people saw. Opening herself up to questions, Bush Koch – at once charming and disarming – draws back the political curtains to reveal her late father in anecdotes that show his leadership style, his endless sense of fun and humor, and his ability to connect emotionally with those around him.

Audiences discover what many of the world leaders, politicians, and journalists Bush Koch interviewed for her book already knew: that George H. W. Bush was a savvy politician and effective leader, while remaining humble, generous, and kind.

The Art of Giving Back

Leaders are first and foremost givers – sharing time, resources, and vision as they inspire others to action. And Doro Bush Koch should know. For her family, giving back is more than a moral obligation—it’s a part of their daily lives.

Her family’s tradition of volunteerism informed Bush Koch’s own philanthropic endeavors. She established the Maryland Family Literacy Initiative, as well as other national and local charities.

Long before her father became the 41st president, he instilled in Bush Koch the message that serving others is not limited to holding office or working with charitable causes. It is also about small, everyday gestures – the little things you do that make a difference to someone else. 

Compassion and kindness have become hallmarks of her mindfulness practice and are keys, she believes, to leading a meaningful life. Through inspirational stories and moving anecdotes, Bush Koch illustrates how everyone has the ability to make an impact through kindness and compassion within their organization or community.

The Mindfulness Map: How Mindfulness Can Change Our Lives, Our Relationships With Others, And Our Relationship With The World

For Doro Bush Koch, an introduction the concepts of mindfulness and meditation marked the beginning of her journey toward calm. Now a mindfulness advocate and trained meditation teacher, she runs workshops and trainings to help others achieve spiritual and physical health.

In this session, Bush Koch will help audience members understand the value and health benefits of finding their passions. She’ll teach them key methods behind mindful listening, and ways to channel attention through the concept of “powering down” – a process of disconnecting and learning to tune out the constant whir of digital communications and the 24-hour news cycle.

“My favorite definition of mindfulness is paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally with kindness,” explains Bush Koch.

Both a testament to the power of mindfulness and a primer on how to begin practicing, this wide-ranging talk will offer a rare mixture of entertainment, education, and personal stories from Bush Koch – a perceptive, thoughtful, and compassionate expert in the science of mindfulness and holistic thinking.

My Father, My President: George H.W. Bush’s Values of Leadership

“A daughter may not have either the expertise or objectivity of a historian … but a historian doesn’t know a father the way his daughter does,” writes Doro Bush Koch in her New York Times bestselling book “My Father, The President.”

In this highly singular, personal perspective of her presidential father, George H.W. Bush, Bush Koch speaks about the leadership qualities that contributed to his success in the political arena: his enduring ability to lead during times of strife, the humility and modesty that drew loyalty from people of all walks of life – including world leaders and former political foes – and the optimism that fueled his perspective on his country and the people in it.

With humorous and moving stories about life beyond the public glare, Bush Koch offers glimpses of her father’s richly layered life guided by family, faith, and friendship.