Michael Strautmanis

Executive Vice President for External Affairs

Obama Foundation

Go hard. If you’re going to do something, really work at it.

About Michael

I grew up between two cultures—Black and Latvian—and learned to navigate the world by listening closely.
As a bike messenger, I walked into a law firm, saw 300 lawyers, and decided there might be room for me too.
I got my first law firm job after calling the head of human resources monthly for 13 months—that’s where I met Michelle and Barack Obama.
They saw something in me I couldn’t yet see in myself, and that changed everything as they brought me along on this bigger journey.
I left a stable law career to work in Washington, D.C., driven by a deep need to serve and give back.
At the Obama Foundation, I lead external affairs and My Brother’s Keeper, helping young people unlock their potential.