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White House Author

Michael Strautmanis

Former Deputy Assistant to the President and Counselor for Strategic Engagement to the Senior Advisor

Michael Strautmanis is the Former Deputy Assistant to the President and Counselor for Strategic Engagement to Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett. In this role, Michael was responsible for coordinating communication and engagement strategies. In addition, he served as a senior advisor to the President’s Council on Jobs and Competitiveness. Formerly, Michael was the Chief of Staff to the Senior Advisor for the offices of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Michael was with the President since his election as the junior U.S. Senator from Illinois, where he served as then-Senator Obama’s Chief Counsel and Deputy Chief of Staff. He continued serving then-Senator Obama on the campaign where he became Senior Counsel for Obama for America, playing a leading role in political outreach as a member of the Congressional Relations team. Upon the President’s election, Michael joined Obama’s presidential transition team as Chief Counsel and the Director of Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs.

Prior to his time with the President, Michael practiced complex litigation and employment law in Chicago at Sidley Austin. He then joined the Clinton Administration as Chief of Staff to the General Counsel at the United States Agency for International Development.

Michael received a B.S. from the University of Illinois, and a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law.

Michael Strautmanis's Posts

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Promoting Responsible Fatherhood and Healthy Families

A new report details the Obama Administration’s long-standing commitment to encourage all fathers to take responsibility for their children’s intellectual, emotional and financial well-being
June 15, 2012 at 6:12 PM ET

Screening "To Kill A Mockingbird" at the White House

President Obama commemorates the 50th Anniversary of "To Kill a Mockingbird"—a 1962 film adaptation of author Harper Lee’s 1960 novel about racial inequality in the deep south—by hosting a screening in the Family Theater at the White House.
April 27, 2012 at 4:29 PM ET

Valerie Jarrett Speaks at the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention

Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President, addresses the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention, a partnership that works to keep children safe in cities around the country.
April 3, 2012 at 9:00 AM ET

Gearing Up for the Second Annual National Summit on Preventing Youth Violence

Federal officials, mayors, law enforcement, leaders of the faith community, school officials, youth outreach organizations, and youth themselves will work together at the Second Annual National Summit on Preventing Youth Violence on making communities safe for al our young people.
March 30, 2012 at 2:23 PM ET

Youth Violence Prevention: Investing in Detroit

Michael Strautmanis meets with Mayor Dave Bing in Detroit to discuss his efforts to prevent youth violence.
October 4, 2011 at 6:10 PM ET

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