People in the news

Derek Douglas

Special Assistant to the President for Urban Affairs (since February 2009)

(Center for
American Progress)

Why He Matters

Chicago lover President Barack Obama has pledged to make cities a top priority after decades of relative White House neglect. To do that, he has appointed Derek Douglas as special assistant for urban affairs to the president.

Douglas spent the last couple of years lobbying for New York state in Washington. Before that he worked at the Center for American Progress, focusing particularly on how to cut consumers' credit card debt. He has also worked for the NAACP and as a counselor at the law firm O'Melveny & Myers.

Read more

Background

At a Glance

Career History: Washington Counsel, New York State (2007 to 2009); Associate Director of Economic Policy (2005 to 2007); Counsel, O'Melveny & Myers LLP (2002 to 2005)
Alma Mater: University of Michigan, B.A. (economics); Yale Law School, JD