The White House announced on Wednesday that director of the Office of Public Engagement and former corporate lawyer, Christina “Tina” Tchen has been promoted to Chief of Staff to first lady Michelle Obama. She will also serve as assistant to President Obama.
Prior to entering the White House, Tchen was a lawyer for a prestigious law firm in Chicago. As a high-profile Chicagoan, she was able to raise more than $200,000 for Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, the Washington Post reported.
After Tchen takes the position of Chief of Staff, she will continue to serve as executive director of the White House Council on Women and Girls.
Michelle Obama said in a press statement, “I am thrilled to welcome Tina to my team … we particularly share a commitment to nurturing young women and utilizing the White House as a platform for education and inclusion, and I look forward to continuing that work together.”
Tchen has a long career of advocating for women’s rights. While working as a corporate lawyer, she litigated for the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services. She also fought for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in Illinois, the Washington Post reported.
Valerie Jarrett, chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls, made a statement about Tchen’s tenure, which read “Throughout her career, Tina has been a tireless advocate for women and families, and she brought that wealth of experience and dedication to the White House Council’s efforts. She will bring her leadership, wisdom and passion to her new position and continue to have a substantial impact on the issues affecting America’s women and girls.”
Prior to entering the White House, Tchen was a lawyer for a prestigious law firm in Chicago. As a high-profile Chicagoan, she was able to raise more than $200,000 for Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, the Washington Post reported.
After Tchen takes the position of Chief of Staff, she will continue to serve as executive director of the White House Council on Women and Girls.
Michelle Obama said in a press statement, “I am thrilled to welcome Tina to my team … we particularly share a commitment to nurturing young women and utilizing the White House as a platform for education and inclusion, and I look forward to continuing that work together.”
Tchen has a long career of advocating for women’s rights. While working as a corporate lawyer, she litigated for the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services. She also fought for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment in Illinois, the Washington Post reported.
Valerie Jarrett, chair of the White House Council on Women and Girls, made a statement about Tchen’s tenure, which read “Throughout her career, Tina has been a tireless advocate for women and families, and she brought that wealth of experience and dedication to the White House Council’s efforts. She will bring her leadership, wisdom and passion to her new position and continue to have a substantial impact on the issues affecting America’s women and girls.”
