Members of The Obama Administration: Where Are They Now?

Though Barack Obama’s historic presidency feels like a lifetime ago—especially in the age of Donald Trump—it still changed the course of U.S. history. It impacted healthcare in America and Black employment rates for years to come. It also laid the groundwork for a historic presidential run by Hillary Clinton and President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory. Here are what members of the Obama administration are up to today.

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U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch

Then: Loretta Lynch made history as the first Black woman to serve as the attorney general of the United States from 2015 to 2017. Lynch made police reform a priority of the Department of Justice and fought for LGBTQ+ rights.

Now: In 2019, Lynch went to Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison. She became a partner in the firm’s litigation department.

Secretary Of State Hillary Clinton

Then: From 2009 to 2013, Clinton oversaw the department that conducted the foreign policy of Obama. She is also the only former First Lady of the United States to become a member of the United States Cabinet.

Now: Clinton lost the presidential election to Donald Trump in 2016. She was awarded the Presidential Medal Of Freedom on Jan. 4, On January 4, America’s Nation’s highest civilian honor.

Senior Advisor To The President Valerie Jarrett

Then: Valerie Jarrett was the longest-serving senior advisor to U.S. President Barack Obama after being selected for the position in 2008.

Now: Jarrett is the now the chief executive officer of the Obama Foundation, a role she acquired in 2021.

Secretary John Kerry

Then: Kerry was the U.S. secretary of state from 2013 to 2017 in Obama’s cabinet, where he dealt largely with foreign policy.

Now: In January 2021, Kerry became the first person to hold the position of U.S. special presidential envoy for climate, under President Joe Biden. He then worked on Biden’s 2024 presidential campaign.

President Joe Biden

Then: Under Obama, Biden was Obama’s right hand man from 2009-2017. He also represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate from 1973 to 2009.

Now: After winning the presidential election in 2020 against Donald Trump, he became the 46th President of the United States. During his tenure, he worked to unite the country.

Secretary Of Commerce Penny Pritzker

Then: Pritzker is a billionaire heiress who worked as the 38th United States secretary of commerce from 2013 to 2017. She led the administration’s trade and investment promotion efforts.

Now: Most recently, she served as U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine’s Economic Recovery with the Biden administration.

United States Attorney General Eric Holder

Then: In 2009, Eric Holder made history of this country’s first Black attorney general.

Now: Since his tenure in the Obama administration, he has fought diligently for voting rights with his firm Covington & Burling LLP.

U.S. Ambassador To United Nations Susan Rice

Then: Rice was nominated and confirmed as Ambassador to the United Nations in 2009. In 2013, she became the National Security Advisor under Obama.

Now: Most recently, Rice has served as Domestic Policy Advisor to President Joe Biden from January 2021 to May 2023.

Press Secretary Josh Earnest

Then: From 2014 to 2017, Josh Earnest was Obama’s third White House press secretary. He also worked as Assistant to the President.

Now: Earnest is now the Executive Vice President of Communications and Advertising for United Airlines. Prior to this role, he appeared on MSNBC and NBC News as a political analyst.

Special Assistant to the President Deesha Dyer

Then: Dyer, a White House intern class of 2009, eventually landed the position of White House Social Secretary. Her responsibilities included executing events like state dinners and visits with dignitaries.

Now: In 2024, Dyer released her memoir “Undiplomatic: How My Attitude Created The Best Kind Of Trouble.”

Treasury Secretary Jack Lew

Then: Jack Lew was confirmed by the United States Senate in 2013 as the 76th Secretary of the Treasury. Prior to that, Lew had served as White House Chief of Staff.

Now: Lew would later be nominated by President Biden as the Ambassador of the United States to Israel. He was sworn in November 2023.

Deputy Director of the Office of Public Engagement Ashley Allison

Then: As Deputy Director in the Office of Public Engagement, Allison managed a team of associate directors who worked with leaders in the Black, Entertainment Industry, Faith, Disability, Jewish, International, Women of Color communities.

Now: Aside from working in the Biden-Harris administration, Allison is also a political commentator and can be seen on CNN.

White House Chief Of Staff Denis McDonough

Then: McDonough was Obama’s chief of staff at the National Security Council from 2009 to 2010, then worked as Deputy National Security Advisor from 2010 to 2013. During Obama’s full second term, he worked as the White House Chief of Staff from 2013-2017.

Now: He has worked in the Biden-Harris administration as Secretary of Veterans Affairs, a role he began in 2021.

Small Business Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet

Then: From 2014 to 2017, Contreras-Sweet served in Obama’s cabinet as the 24th administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

Now: Contreras-Sweet now works on the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Board of Directors. She is also a co-chair of their Task Force on Paid Family Leave.