Strautmanis, Michael, 1969-

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 (born March 24, 1969) is an American lawyer who served as Chief of Staff to the Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Relations and Public Engagement, Valerie Jarrett during Barack Obama's Presidency. He also served as Chief Counsel and the Director of Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs on Obama's presidential transition team.

In March, 2013, he announced his resignation from the White House staff in order to accept a post with the Walt Disney Corporation specializing in corporate citizenship. In January, 2016, he became the Vice President of Civic Engagement for the Obama Foundation.

As the chief engagement officer of the Obama Foundation, Michael Strautmanis oversees community affairs and strategic partnerships, engaging with local Chicagoans on plans for the Obama Presidential Center and the Foundation’s mission to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world. Before joining the Obama Foundation, he spent over a decade in Washington, DC, including four years as part of President Obama’s administration. He partnered with a diverse group of leaders to increase access to economic opportunity, strengthen the judicial system, and champion equity and inclusion in the White House, federal agencies, and Congress.