Michael Strautmanis

Michael Strautmanis is a movement builder and ESG leader known for his impactful work at the Obama Foundation, where he oversees engagement strategy, partnerships, branding, marketing, communications & creative, digital strategy, alumni engagement, and community affairs.

During his tenure at the Obama Foundation, Michael has been instrumental in developing the Foundation's place-based impact strategy in Chicago and has played a crucial role in the creation of the innovative Obama Presidential Center. He also provides strategic guidance to the My Brothers' Keeper Alliance, a program initiated by President Obama.

With over a decade of experience in Washington, D.C., Michael has a strong background in enhancing economic opportunities, judicial system strengthening, and promoting equity and inclusion at various levels of government, including the White House, federal agencies, and Congress. He has been an advisor to President Barack Obama for nearly twenty years.

Michael's significant contributions include serving as the Chief of Staff of the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs in the Obama White House, where he was deeply involved in shaping policies on key issues such as health care reform, education, criminal justice reform, and clean energy technology.

After his time at the White House, Michael joined the Walt Disney Company in Burbank, CA, leading efforts to consolidate and enrich Disney's corporate social responsibility programs, particularly focusing on youth development through creativity and innovation. His career began at the U.S. Agency for International Development, followed by roles in the U.S. Senate, Congress, and the American Association for Justice.

Dedicated to civic engagement, Michael is actively involved in Chicago's community, serving on various boards including Everside Health, Inc., Headspace Health, Inc., Definition Theatre, and the Billie Jean King Leadership Institute, among others.

He is an alumnus of the University of Illinois, where he obtained a JD from the College of Law and a B.S. in Advertising from the Urbana-Champaign campus. Michael's expertise extends to academia, having served as an Adjunct Professor at Loyola University Chicago and the University of Chicago Graham School, and as a Professor and Leader in Residence at the University of Illinois College of Law.

With a diverse background encompassing law, advertising, and social impact, Michael Strautmanis continues to be a prominent figure in the field of civic engagement and community development.