Deputy Social Secretary Deesha Dyer is moving up at the White House. Earlier today, it was announced that Dyer would be promoted to social secretary, where she will work closely with the First Lady to coordinate presidential events.
The announcement comes less than two weeks after current social secretary Jeremy Bernard, the first man to hold the job, said that he would be stepping down at the end of the month. Dyer is only the second Black woman appointed to the position.
“From the day Deesha started in the Social Office nearly two years ago, she impressed me with her passion, creativity, public-mindedness and relentless competence,” Michelle Obama said in a statement. “Since then, whether helping flawlessly execute state dinners or going the extra mile to open the White House to people who never dreamed they would walk through these doors, Deesha has worked tirelessly to truly make the White House the ‘People’s House.'”
Dyer joined the White House administration in 2009 when she interned in the Office of Scheduling and Advance. She was hired the following year, where she went on to serve as the Associate Director for Scheduling Correspondence, the Deputy Director and the Hotel Program Director.
Before becoming involved in politics, the Philadelphia native worked as a freelance writer and also founded a local AIDS program.
“I am incredibly honored to continue serving the President and First Lady in my new role as White House Social Secretary,” Dyer said in a statement. “I am constantly inspired by the openness, diversity and traditions of this Administration, and I look forward to leading the talented Social Office team as we further the goals and priorities of the President and First Lady throughout these last two exciting years in office.”
