Your Spot For What's Haute!

Meet The First Lady’s ‘Confidant In Chief’

We initially missed this recent Chicago Tribune piece … but for those interested in the inner-workings of the White House (namely First Lady Michelle Obama’s office), it’s a must-read.

The set-up:

Last month, in one of the few high-level personnel shifts in the Obama administration, the first lady brought in [Susan] Sher to replace Jackie Norris as her chief of staff, putting Sher in charge of the agenda and public image of one of the world’s most prominent personalities.

And the details:

When they worked together at the hospital, Sher took on the role of Obama’s “sounding board,” said Cindy Moelis, a friend of both who is now director of the White House Fellows program. “It’s a very easy relationship. There’s a lot of laughter, a lot of listening.”

In a telephone interview, the first lady praised Sher as “a really solid strategic thinker” with a talent for gaming out the long-term implications of a decision. “I just like the way Susan thinks, in broad strokes about issues, and can think a couple of years down the road,” Obama said.

At City Hall, Sher and Obama forged a common bond with [Valerie] Jarrett. “Susan and I both started out as mentors. We’re older. We were more advanced in our careers,” said Jarrett, now one of the president’s closest advisers. “Over time, Michelle matured and became far more of a peer. Now we’re at a point where we mentor each other. We give each other advice.”

Tweet Tags: Chief of Staff, Obama administration, Susan Sher, Valerie Jarrett, White House