Michael Strautmanis serves as Executive Vice President for External Affairs at the Obama Foundation, where he leads strategy for community affairs, government relations, strategic partnerships, and digital storytelling. He has played a central role in developing the Obama Presidential Center and shaping the Foundation’s civic engagement efforts in Chicago, including oversight of the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, which supports boys and young men of color across the country.
A seasoned public servant and civic leader, Michael spent over a decade in Washington, D.C., including four years in the Obama White House as Chief of Staff to Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett. He has held key roles at USAID, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Walt Disney Company, where he led enterprise-wide social impact initiatives.
Michael is a board member of Headspace Health, the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, the Illinois Finance Authority, and the Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative. He holds a B.A. and J.D. from the University of Illinois.
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