WASHINGTON, DC – Today, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individual to a key Administration post:

• Cathy Russell - Ambassador at Large for Global Women’s Issues, Department of State

“Cathy is a longtime advocate for justice and fairness and has worked on preventing violence against women here in America and around the world,” said President Obama. “She served as Chief of Staff to Dr. Jill Biden for my entire first term, and has worked tirelessly alongside Michelle and Jill to make sure our military families get the honor and support they’ve earned.  I’m certain that Cathy will continue to be a powerful advocate for women and girls in her new role.”

President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individual to a key Administration post:

Cathy Russell, Nominee for Ambassador at Large for Global Women’s Issues, Department of State Cathy Russell is the Chief of Staff to Dr. Jill Biden.  Previously, she served in the U.S. Senate on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as the Senior Advisor on International Women’s Issues from 2007 to 2008.  She served as an Associate Deputy Attorney General in the Justice Department from 1995 to 1996.  From 1993 to 1995, she served as the Staff Director of the Senate Judiciary Committee and from 1989 to 1993, she was Senior Counsel to Senator Patrick Leahy for the Senate Judiciary Committee, Technology Subcommittee.  She was also a member of the Communications Advisory Council of Women for Women International from 2006 to 2008.  Ms. Russell received a B.A. from Boston College and a J.D. from George Washington University.