Jackie Norris
Jackie Norris | |
|---|---|
 Norris in 2024 | |
| Chief of Staff to the First Lady | |
| In office March 2009 – June 2009 | |
| President | Barack Obama |
| First Lady | Michelle Obama |
| Preceded by | Anita McBride |
| Succeeded by | Susan Sher |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1970 (age 55–56) Ossining, New York, U.S. |
| Education | State University of New York, Geneseo (BA) Iowa State University (MA) |
Jackie Norris (born 1970) is a business owner and community leader in the United States. Norris is the current President and Owner of Horizon Group in West Des Moines, Iowa.[1]
Early life
Norris was born in Ossining, New York and earned a degree in political science from the State University of New York at Geneseo in 1992 followed by a master’s in political science from Iowa State University. In 2002, Norris also received her secondary education teacher certification from Iowa State University.
Business and political career
Norris has served as an American government official, non-profit leader and small business owner. She has worked as Chief of Staff to the First Lady, Michelle Obama, in 2009 and as CEO of Goodwill of Central Iowa.[2][3][4]
She serves as the Chair of the Des Moines School Board.[5] In September 2025 she made statements for the Board around the arrest of Superintendent Ian Roberts of Des Moines Public Schools noting the Board was not aware of issues with his legal status until his detention.[6][7]
She is President and Owner of Horizon Group, a marketing and consulting business.[8]
On August 5, 2025, Norris announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination in the 2026 United States Senate election in Iowa.[9] On October 16, 2025, Norris ended her senatorial campaign due to her need to focus on leading the Des Moines public school board following the arrest of superintendent Ian Roberts. [10]
Personal life
Norris is married to John R. Norris, former Commissioner at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and Minister Counselor to the United States Mission to the United Nations (USUN) in Rome, Italy.[11] Norris has three sons.[citation needed]
References
- ^ Norris, Jackie (2023-11-14). "Jackie Norris, President". Horizon Group. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ^ Wheaton, Sarah (2008-11-21). "Iowa Operative is Michelle Obama's Chief of Staff". The Caucus. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ Henderson, Nia‑Malika; Allen, Mike (June 5, 2009). "Michelle's staff shake‑up explained". Politico. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ dmgoodwillupfor (2016-09-15). "Goodwill of Central Iowa Names New Chief Executive Officer". Goodwill of Central Iowa. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ Chair of the Des Moines School Board
- ^ "LIVE: Des Moines School Board special meeting to discuss Superintendent Ian Roberts' arrest by ICE". Des Moines Register. September 27, 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
- ^ Fisher, Zach (September 28, 2025). "Des Moines School Board President Jackie Norris discusses Dr. Ian Roberts ICE arrest, next steps for district". WHO-DT. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
- ^ "Management Consulting & Market Research Services". Horizon Group. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
- ^ Opsahl, Robin (August 5, 2025). "Jackie Norris, Des Moines school board chair, launches U.S. Senate campaign". Iowa Capital Dispatch. Retrieved August 5, 2025.
- ^ https://apnews.com/article/norris-senate-campaign-des-moines-schools-ice-96b72692b1fdcf7c3f95869a3d23e655
- ^ "The Des Moines Register Subscription Offers, Specials, and Discounts". subscribe.desmoinesregister.com. Retrieved 2025-05-09.
External links
- Iowa teacher selected as Michelle Obama Chief of Staff Archived 2016-03-03 at the Wayback Machine
- Jackie Norris quoted about Points of Light work (Businessweek, Nov 8, 2012)
- Norris leaving the White House
- Jackie Norris on the Civic 50 (Nonprofit Times, Nov 9, 2012)
- Interview about the future of volunteering
- A First Lady Who Demands Substance (Washington Post, June 25, 2009)
- Jackie Norris's Points of Light Bio
- Jackie Norris (with Nicole Trimble) on Harnessing the Benefit of Employee Volunteering at Mid-Size Companies
- Jackie Norris: Creating a Standard for Doing Well by Doing Good
- Jackie Norris on "Let's Talk Live" discussing the 2013 National Conference on Volunteering and Service Archived 2014-08-09 at the Wayback Machine
- Jackie Norris discussing the 2013 National Day of Service Archived 2014-08-15 at the Wayback Machine
- Volunteer to Get Out of the Box
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