David Simas

CEO, Obama Foundation

Creating a legacy

One of the lasting elements of an administration is its presidential center. Obama’s will be in Chicago, his hometown, and the birthplace of his political career. David Simas, the Obama administration’s political director, will work to build and maintain Obama’s legacy after Jan. 20. It’s a tough assignment: Simas will have to raise lots of money, do loads of planning, and generally keep the Obama post-presidency on track. Politically, he’ll now be the gatekeeper to the president, who’s vowed to stay very much in the game after his days in the White House.
