Chief of Staff to the First Lady of the United States

Last updated

Chief of Staff of the Office of the First Lady
The White House logo under Trump 2.0.jpg
Hayley D'Antuono 2017 (cropped).jpg
Incumbent
Hayley Harrison
since January 20, 2025
Office of the First Lady of the United States,
White House Office
Reports to First Lady of the United States
AppointerFirst Lady of the United States
Formation1977
First holder Edith H. J. Dobelle

The Chief of Staff to the First Lady of the United States is a position within the Office of the First Lady in the White House Office, responsible for overseeing strategy, operations, and coordination within the First Lady's office and between the East Wing and the White House.

Contents

Historical background

Origins of the role

The role of the First Lady of the United States has evolved over time. During the 19th century, First Ladies primarily focused on social functions and domestic duties. [1] [2] This began to shift in the 20th century, particularly under Eleanor Roosevelt, who actively engaged in policy advocacy and public initiatives. [2] Roosevelt was the first First Lady to hire a personal secretary, an act that laid the foundation for the future establishment of the Office of the First Lady within the White House Office. [1] [2]

The position of Chief of Staff to the First Lady emerged during the presidency of Jimmy Carter in 1977 when Rosalynn Carter formalized the structure of the Office of the First Lady. She appointed Edith H. J. Dobelle as the first Chief of Staff to the First Lady, who described her role as ensuring the office's smooth operation. [1] [2] This development paralleled the growing professionalization of the First Lady’s office. [2]

Under subsequent administrations, the chief of staff role expanded to include a wide range of responsibilities. By the late 20th century, First Ladies’ chiefs of staff were integral in managing press relations, social scheduling, and correspondence. The position also became involved in policy development, particularly in administrations where the First Lady undertook advocacy roles, such as Hillary Clinton’s health care initiatives. [2] [3]

Role

Core functions

The Chief of Staff to the First Lady is tasked with overseeing daily operations within the Office of the First Lady. This includes managing the work of departments such as policy and projects, scheduling, advance, correspondence, press, and the social office. [3] The position also involves coordinating with the White House Chief of Staff and other executive offices, ensuring alignment with the administration’s broader goals. [2] [3]

Key responsibilities of the role include:

The Chief of Staff to the First Lady leads a team of 25 to 30 staff members, depending on the administration. This team is divided into various departments to handle specific functions. The position also involves working closely with external organizations and federal agencies to support the First Lady's initiatives. [3]

Evolution of duties

The role’s scope and influence have varied depending on the priorities of each First Lady. For instance:

Chiefs of staff to the first lady

ImageChiefYears First Lady
Edith Dobelle (cropped).jpg Edith H. J. Dobelle [4] 1979–1981 Rosalynn Carter
James Rosebush 1983.jpg James Rosebush [5] 1981–1986 Nancy Reagan
Lee Verstandig (1983).jpg Lee L. Verstandig [6] 1986
Vacant
February 1986 – January 20, 1989
Susan Porter Rose (cropped).jpg Susan Porter Rose [7] 1989–1993 Barbara Bush
Maggie Williams [8] 1993–1997 Hillary Clinton
Melanne Verveer at the India Economic Summit 2009.jpg Melanne Verveer [9] 1997–2000
Andrea Ball.jpg Andrea Ball [10] 2001–2004 Laura Bush
Anita McBride 2024.png Anita McBride [11] 2005–2009
Jackie Norris 2007 (cropped).jpg Jackie Norris [12] 2009-? Michelle Obama
Susan Sher 2009.jpg Susan Sher [13]  ?-2011
Christina Tchen in the Oval Office.jpg Tina Tchen [14] 2011–2017
Lindsay Reynolds [15] 2017–2020 Melania Trump
Stephanie Grisham.jpg Stephanie Grisham [16] 2020–2021
Julissa Reynoso, U.S. Ambassador 2 (cropped).jpg Julissa Reynoso Pantaleón [17] 2021–2022 Jill Biden
Anthony Bernal 2022–2025
Hayley D'Antuono 2017 (cropped).jpg Hayley Harrison [18] 2025– Melania Trump

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "The Chief of Staff to the First Lady". The Chief of Staff Association. December 4, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Eksterowicz, Anthony J; Paynter, Kristen (December 1, 2000). "The evolution of the role and office of the first lady: the movement toward integration with the White House office". The Social Science Journal. 37 (4): 547–562. doi:10.1016/S0362-3319(00)00095-1. ISSN   0362-3319.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to the First Lady". Center for Presidential Transition . Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  4. Monachina, Judith (January 22, 2021). "Front row seat to history: Pittsfield resident shares her experiences as Carter's chief of protocol". The Berkshire Eagle. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  5. Radcliffe, Donnie (November 13, 1985). "First Lady's Staff Chief Quits". Washington Post. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  6. "First Lady Denies Run-ins as Top Aide Quits After 24 Days". Los Angeles Times. February 20, 1986. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  7. "Susan Porter Rose". Penn State University Libraries. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  8. "Maggie Williams". The Institute of Politics at Harvard University. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  9. "Biography: Melanne Verveer". 1997-2001.state.gov. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  10. "Papers of Andrea (Andi) Ball" (PDF). George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  11. "Anita McBride". Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  12. Allen, Nia-Malika (June 5, 2009). "Michelle's staff shake-up explained". politico.com. Retrieved April 11, 2015.
  13. "JUF News : First Family friend/ former advisor, Susan Sher to speak to JUF's King David Society". JUF News.
  14. "Tina Tchen to Join Office of the First Lady as Chief of Staff". Washington, DC: The White House Office of the First Lady. January 5, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
  15. Zilbermints, Regina (April 7, 2020). "Grisham leaves role as White House press secretary". The Hill. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  16. Bennett, Kate (January 7, 2021). "First lady's chief of staff and former WH press secretary resigns over violent protests". CNN . Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  17. "Jill Biden's chief of staff is the president's pick to be ambassador to Spain". Politico. July 27, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  18. Kilander, Gustaf (November 22, 2024). "Melania Trump announces first big hire for second stint as first lady". The Independent. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  19. Petski, Denise (June 8, 2021). "'The First Lady': Kate Mulgrew To Recur & Cathy Schulman Named Showrunner On Showtime Anthology Series". Deadline. Retrieved November 23, 2024.