Catherine Russell

Chief of Staff for Jill Biden (since January 2009)

Why She Matters

Vice President Joseph R. Biden may be the reason Russell and her husband Thomas Donilon have White House jobs.

Russell's relationship with the former senator spans more than 20 years - she worked on his 1988 presidential campaign and is a longtime adviser to his wife, Jill Biden. In November 2008, she was chosen to serve as chief of staff for the new second lady.

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Corrections?

Background

At a Glance

Career History: Chief of Staff for Jill Biden during the 2008 Presidential campaign; Senior adviser to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee ; Staff director of the Senate Judiciary Committee
Alma Mater: Boston College, B.A.; George Washington University, J.D.

Spouse: Tom Donilon

Path to Power

Russell graduated from Boston College and received her J.D. from George Washington University. She worked with her husband on Biden 's 1988 presidential campaign.

During Bill Clinton's presidency, Russell served as associate deputy attorney general. She left the Justice Department when President George W. Bush was elected in 2000.

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The Issues

Russell is an advocate for the prevention of violence against women in the U.S. and abroad. She specialized in international women's issues on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The Network

Russell doesn't have to look far for connection to the White House. Her husband, Thomas Donilon, is the national security adviser. Donilon's brother, Mike, is counselor to Vice President Biden .

Russell was part of the tight-knit group that ran Biden 's presidential campaigns in 1988, along with Larry Rasky, Valerie Biden Owens, Sen. Edward Kaufman (D-Del.), John Marttila, Mark Gittenstein, and Ron Klain .

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