Meet Desiree Rogers, Obama family friend who has been tapped to be the new White House Social Secretary as part of the Obama Administration. Read her biography and see photos and a video of her below.
Chicagoan Desiree Rogers is expected to be named White House Social Secretary in the Obama administration. She will be the first African American to hold that position as special assistant to the President.
In her position at the White House, she will be in charge of social functions at the White House. Her new job has much more responsibility and demands than the title might imply.
“This appointment sends a strong message that the Obamas want to use the White House strategically, to maximize its use in a way that is consistent with their philosophy — [to] open it to a broader range of people, ” said Valerie Jarrett, an Obama intimate and friend of Rogers’s who also will work in the White House. “Desirée is a heavy hitter — she comes with her own range of contacts from around the country. She’s close to Michelle and she knows everyone who will be working in the West Wing, so she will be able to create a synergy.”
Desiree Rogers Biography
Desiree Rogers is a Chicago Socialite who is president of social networking for Allstate Financial, a unit of the Northbrook-based insurance firm. She was previously President of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas in Illinois since 1997. She is 49-years-old. She was formerly married to John Rogers who is friends with Craig Robinson, Michelle Obama’s brother. Her ex-husband is co-chairman of the inaugural committee. Her daughter, Victoria, is a student at Yale.
Rogers earned a degree in political science from Wellesley College. She then went on to earn her MBA from Harvard University. She has worked for Peoples Energy as the Chief Marketing Officer, Senior Vice President of Customer Service, Vice President of Corporate Communications and President. She served as the Director of the Illinois State Lottery for six years.
She is active in political fundraising and in Chicago social circles. She has been a long time friend of the Barack and Michelle Obama family.
Rogers serves on a number of Chicago area boards. She is the Vice-Chairman of the Lincoln Park Zoo. She also is on the executive committee of The Museum of Science and Industry. She is on the boards of The Chicago Children’s Museum, The Young President’s Organization, The Commercial Club of Chicago and The Chicago Network.
Black Enterprise has named her one of the 50 most powerful Black women in business several times. She has also been featured in Vogue Magazine.
More photos and a video will be added as soon as they become available. Meanwhile, you can see a video of her discussing her position as President of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas here, http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1135479573
