“I was very lucky - I grew up with two parents who loved each other and gave me unconditional love. They set high expectations for me, and they gave me an infinite amount of support. So I stand on their shoulders; I follow their example in every way.”

American businesswoman, attorney and former government official

Valerie Jarrett is an American businesswoman, attorney, and former government official. She has led the Obama Foundation as chief executive officer since 2021, and was the longest-serving senior adviser to President Barack Obama. In the White House, she headed the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs and chaired the Council on Women and Girls. Before that, she served as chief executive officer of The Habitat Company and was a co-chair of the Obama-Biden Transition Project.