The White House just got infused with a bit of Boricua flavor.
The Office of the First Lady has announced that Puerto Rican Maria Cristina “MC” Gonzalez Noguera is joining the team as special assistant to President Barack Obama and communications director for First Lady Michelle Obama.
Gonzalez Noguera will replace Kristina Schake, who is leaving to join L’Oreal. Coincidentally, Gonzalez Noguera is coming from the world of cosmetics — she is currently the global vice president of corporate communications for the Estee Lauder Companies.
“While Kristina leaves big shoes to fill, MC brings a fresh perspective and a wealth of expertise that will make her an incredible asset to our team,” Michelle Obama said in a statement. “My time at the White House has been focused on ensuring all our children and families thrive, and as an experienced communications professional who shares my commitment to this mission, I know MC will be an outstanding partner.”
As the first lady and the Washington Post noted, Schake is indeed leaving some very big shoes to fill. Schake was “at Obama’s side as she has stretched the traditional role of a first lady to include ‘mom dancing’ on Jimmy Fallon’s late-night talk show and presenting the best picture trophy at the Academy Awards.”
But Gonzalez Noguera is up to the task. The Puerto Rican, who was born in the island’s capital, San Juan, has a degree from Tufts University and was managing director for the Washington, D.C., strategic communications firm Chlopak, Leonard, Schechter & Associates before joining Estee Lauder.
As Michelle Obama nabs Puerto Rican talent, so does the GOP
The Republican National Committee also had a similar development. They recently announced that they have a new communications director for Hispanic media, and — you guessed it — it’s a Puerto Rican woman.
Izzy Santa, a former deputy communications director to the Romney campaign in Ohio and communications director for the Ohio Republican Party, has a big task on her shoulders as Republicans further expand their Hispanic outreach, which hasn’t been going quite as the party expected.
“To earn the trust of more voters, it’s essential that Republicans communicate our shared values with the Hispanic community — values of equal opportunity, hard work and the importance of family and community ties,” said RNC Chairman Reince Priebus in a statement.
Michelle Obama gets a Puerto Rican communications director originally published at VOXXI.
