Racquel Russell

Racquel Russell is Deputy Assistant to the President for Urban Affairs and Economic Mobility. Since joining the White House Domestic Policy Council in September 2010, Racquel Russell has worked on various policy issues including economic mobility, place-based initiatives, nutrition policy, health care, and various women’s issues. Racquel now leads the urban affairs and economic mobility team, which focuses on a range of issues important to urban communities across America and policies that create ladders of opportunity for struggling families; including community and economic development, housing, transportation, and anti-poverty and nutrition programs.

Before joining the White House, Racquel played a key role in developing several of the major provisions of the health care reform law, the Affordable Care Act, while serving as Legislative Counsel for U.S. Senator Tom Carper. Racquel’s prior experience includes working on various domestic policy issues for both the National Governors Association and U.S. Senator Bob Graham, including policy matters relating to the safety net and income support programs, immigration, housing and transportation.

In Racquel’s current capacity as well as her previous positions, the common thread throughout her career has been a focus on the needs of underserved communities and vulnerable populations. Racquel received her Juris Doctor from the George Washington University Law School and holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a double major in Speech Communication and Political Science from the University of Miami, where she graduated with honors.