News that Desiree Rogers, a Chicago businesswoman, has been named White House social secretary by the incoming Obama administration pinged our “Barack Obameter” — our measure of just who will wield influence in the new administration.
Like a few appointments before her, Rogers was a major bundler for the Obama campaign, delivering more than $200,000, according to Public Citizen. Currently the president of social networking for Allstate Financial, Rogers also personally maxed out with her donations to the Obama campaign, giving $2,300 during both the primary and general elections.
And while the title reads more tea and crumpets than high-stakes power broker, Rogers will be responsible for all social events at the White House. So, if you want to get the president-elect’s ear, you’d do well to be nice to her.