Former White House protocol chief Capricia Marshall discusses power of diplomacy, July 13

Ambassador Capricia Marshall will discuss her time as chief of protocol for the Obama White House during a National Press Club virtual event with Club President Lisa Matthews at noon Tuesday, July 13.

 

Her experience has made her an expert in the Obama administration’s diplomatic history and the art of foreign relations. She has recounted her experiences in her book “Protocol: The Power of Diplomacy and How to Make it Work for You.”

Club members are invited to join the conversation with Marshall, which will be broadcast live on the Club’s YouTube channel.

Marshall was a key figure in the White House’s diplomatic efforts, preparing President Obama and his staff for meetings with foreign dignitaries and creating environments that would ultimately lead to successful diplomacy. In her role, Marshall welcomed heads of state from all over the world, organized countless events hosted by the vice president, Secretary of State and other high-ranking government officials and worked with the foreign diplomatic community in the United States to foster greater cross-cultural understanding.

Born in Cleveland to an immigrant Croatian father and immigrant Mexican mother, Marshall studied political science and international studies at Purdue University. After graduating from Case Western Reserve University School of Law, where she was president of the student bar association, she worked for Bill Clinton's presidential campaign, serving as special assistant to Hillary Clinton and continuing on as special assistant to the First Lady. She later assumed the post of deputy assistant to the president and White House social secretary.

She continued to work for the Clintons after they left the White House. She joined the Obama administration and was sworn in as chief of protocol on August 3, 2009.