Melody Barnes

American lawyer and political advisor
Melody Barnes
Director of the Domestic Policy Council
In office
January 20, 2009 – January 10, 2012
PresidentBarack Obama
DeputyHeather Higginbottom
Mark Zuckerman
Preceded byKarl Zinsmeister
Succeeded byCecilia Muñoz
Personal details
Born
Melody C. Barnes

(1964-04-29) April 29, 1964 (age 60)
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMarland Buckner
EducationUniversity of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (BA)
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (JD)

Melody C. Barnes (born April 29, 1964) is an American lawyer and political advisor. Formerly an aide and chief counsel to Senator Edward M. Kennedy on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Barnes later worked at the Center for American Progress, a think tank, before joining Senator Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. After Obama took office as president, Barnes was appointed director of the Domestic Policy Council, serving in that post from January 2009 to January 2012. After leaving the White House, Barnes assumed roles at the Aspen Institute and New York University. Since 2016, she has been at the University of Virginia, where she teaches law and is the co-director of the UVA Democracy Initiative.

Early life and education

Barnes was born on April 29, 1964, and grew up in Richmond, Virginia.[1] Barnes's father Charles H. Barnes Jr. was a civilian employee of the U.S. Army, and her mother Mary Frances Rogers Barnes (1934–2014) was a teacher.[1][2]

Barnes earned her BA with honors in history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1986 and her JD from the University of Michigan Law School in 1989.[3][4] Barnes is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.[5]

Career

Pre-White House

In 1989, Barnes began her career as an attorney with the law firm of Shearman & Sterling in New York City as an associate in corporate finance and financial institutions.[3][4]

Barnes then worked at the Raben Group, where she lobbied for the American Civil Liberties Union, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, American Constitution Society, and Center for Reproductive Rights.[1] Barnes served as director of legislative affairs at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and as assistant counsel of the Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights of the House Judiciary Committee.[1][6] In the latter role, Barnes worked on the Voting Rights Improvement Act of 1992.[1][6]

Barnes was general counsel to Senator Edward M. Kennedy on the Senate Judiciary Committee from 1995 to 1998, and chief counsel from 1998 to 2003.[1][7]

From 2003 to July 2008, Barnes was at the Center for American Progress, a think tank. She was executive vice president for policy at the center from 2005 to 2008.[3] Barnes was involved in the launch of the center's Initiative on Faith and Public Policy.[8] She worked under CEO John D. Podesta, who later served as co-chairman of the Obama-Biden transition team.[1]

Barnes was senior domestic policy advisor to Senator Barack Obama during his 2008 presidential campaign.[3] After the election, Barnes helped to lead Obama's transition team.[3] Barnes served as co-director of the Agency Review Working Group for the transition.[8]

Prior to joining the White House, Barnes served on the board of a Washington, D.C. charter school, as well as the boards of EMILY's List and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund.[1]

White House

After Obama took office in January 2009, Barnes became assistant to the president and director of the White House Domestic Policy Council.[3]

In October 2009, Barnes played golf with Obama at Fort Belvoir, becoming the first woman to play golf with the president during Obama's presidency. (Obama had previously been criticized for playing golf and basketball only with male staffers).[9][10]

Barnes was one of several African-American women in important Obama administration positions, along with Valerie Jarrett, Mona Sutphen, Susan Rice and Cassandra Butts.[11]

As a former staffer for Ted Kennedy, Barnes was also one of a number of former congressional staffers in the Obama White House, alongside Jim Messina (formerly aide to Senator Max Baucus), Pete Rouse and Jeanne Lambrew (Senator Tom Daschle), Phil Schiliro (formerly aide to Representative Henry Waxman), and Lisa Konwinski (former aide to Senator Kent Conrad). Paul Starr writes that Obama's choice to surround himself with these former senior aides to key congressional leaders on health care was instrumental in passing the health-care reform legislation through Congress.[12]

Barnes chaired the White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity, which in May 2010 released a 124-page report with 70 recommendations to combat the childhood obesity epidemic in the United States.[13]

In November 2011, the White House announced that Barnes would be leaving.[14] She departed in January 2012.[3]

Post-White House

After leaving the White House, Barnes became chief executive officer of Melody Barnes Solutions LLC, a strategy firm advising major financial institutions and other clients. She joined the boards of directors of Ventas, Inc. in 2014,[4] and Booz Allen Hamilton in 2015.[7]

Barnes is chair of the Aspen Institute's Forum for Community Solutions.[3][15]

In 2013,[4] Barnes has also been vice provost for global student leadership initiatives at New York University, and senior fellow at NYU's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.[3]

Barnes is now co-director of University of Virginia's Democracy Initiative, a broad research, teaching and public affairs initiative tackling the most pressing issues facing democracies around the world. She is a professor of practice at UVA's Miller Center, after having served since 2016 as a visiting professor and senior fellow there and a distinguished fellow at the School of Law.[16]

Awards and honors

In 2016, Barnes received the "Strong Men & Women in Virginia History" award from the Library of Virginia and Dominion Power.[17]

Personal life

On June 13, 2009, Barnes married Marland Buckner Jr., a former chief of staff to U.S. Representative Harold Ford Jr., in Washington.[18][19]

In 2007, Barnes was featured in a Washingtonian magazine list of ten well-dressed Washington women.[1][20]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Robert Pear, Melody C. Barnes, New York Times (November 25, 2008).
  2. ^ Mary Frances Rogers Barnes, 80, educator, Richmond Free Press (December 2, 2014).
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i Melody C. Barnes, Vice Provost for Global Student Leadership Initiatives, New York University.
  4. ^ a b c d Ventas Elects Former White House Domestic Policy Director Melody Barnes to Board of Directors (press release) (September 17, 2014).
  5. ^ The Receiving Lineup: Melody Barnes and Marland Buckner, Washington Post (April 3, 2016).
  6. ^ a b Melody Barnes: Former Domestic Policy Advisor, White House.
  7. ^ a b Melody C. Barnes, Director, Booz Allen Hamilton.
  8. ^ a b Michael A. Fletcher, Domestic Adviser May Play Greater Role Under Obama, Washington Post (November 25, 2008).
  9. ^ Michael D. Shear, A first for Obama: Woman joins presidential golf outing, Washington Post (October 26, 2009).
  10. ^ Mark Leibovich, A First for President Obama: Female Aide Joins Round of Golf, New York Times (October 25, 2009).
  11. ^ Trymaine Lee, Melody Barnes, Former Obama Adviser, Talks Life After The White House, Huffington Post (February 24, 2012).
  12. ^ Paul Starr, Remedy and Reaction: The Peculiar American Struggle over Health Care Reform (Yale University Press, 2010), p. 200.
  13. ^ Robin Givhan, White House task force issues report on fighting childhood obesity, Washington Post (May 12, 2010).
  14. ^ Mike Allen, Melody Barnes leaving White House, Politico (November 24, 2011).
  15. ^ Salass, Nader (July 2, 2013). "WATCH: Former Obama Cabinet Member Shares Youth Job Tips". Huffington Post.
  16. ^ "Melody Barnes on the White House, UVA, Monticello and Jefferson". UVA Today. 2018-09-24. Retrieved 2018-11-13.
  17. ^ Melody C. Barnes (1964–), Richmond, Attorney and Government Official, 2016 Strong Men & Women in Virginia History, Library of Virginia.
  18. ^ Rachel L. Swarns, Vows: Melody Barnes and Marland Buckner Jr., New York Times (June 20, 2009).
  19. ^ Ellen McCarthy, OnLove: After Years of Friendship, Melody Barnes and Marland Buckner Said 'I Do', Washington Post (June 21, 2009).
  20. ^ Leslie Milk, Ten Well Dressed Women: Melody Barnes, Washingtonian (October 1, 2007).

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Melody Barnes.
  • Appearances on C-SPAN
    • C-SPAN Q&A interview with Barnes, January 14, 2007
  • Melody Barnes on Charlie Rose
  • Melody Barnes collected news and commentary at The New York Times
Political offices
Preceded by Director of the Domestic Policy Council
2009–2012 		Succeeded by
  • v
  • t
  • e
Office Name Term Office Name Term
White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel 2009–10 National Security Advisor James L. Jones 2009–10
Pete Rouse 2010–11 Thomas E. Donilon 2010–13
William M. Daley 2011–12 Susan Rice 2013–17
Jack Lew 2012–13 Deputy National Security Advisor Thomas E. Donilon 2009–10
Denis McDonough 2013–17 Denis McDonough 2010–13
White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Mona Sutphen 2009–11 Antony Blinken 2013–14
Nancy-Ann DeParle 2011–13 Avril Haines 2015–17
Rob Nabors 2013–15 Dep. National Security Advisor, Homeland Security John O. Brennan 2009–13
White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations Jim Messina 2009–11 Lisa Monaco 2013–17
Alyssa Mastromonaco 2011–14 Dep. National Security Advisor, Iraq and Afghanistan Douglas Lute† 2009–13
Anita Decker Breckenridge 2014–17 Dep. National Security Advisor, Strategic Comm. Ben Rhodes 2009–17
White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Planning Mark B. Childress 2012–14 Dep. National Security Advisor, Chief of Staff Mark Lippert 2009
Kristie Canegallo 2014–17 Denis McDonough 2009–10
Counselor to the President Pete Rouse 2011–13 Brooke D. Anderson 2011–12
John Podesta 2014–15 White House Communications Director Ellen Moran 2009
Senior Advisor to the President David Axelrod 2009–11 Anita Dunn 2009
David Plouffe 2011–13 Daniel Pfeiffer 2009–13
Daniel Pfeiffer 2013–15 Jennifer Palmieri 2013–15
Shailagh Murray 2015–17 Jen Psaki 2015–17
Senior Advisor to the President Pete Rouse 2009–10 Deputy White House Communications Director Jen Psaki 2009–11
Brian Deese 2015–17 Jennifer Palmieri 2011–14
Senior Advisor to the President and Valerie Jarrett 2009–17 Amy Brundage 2014–16
Assistant to the President for Liz Allen 2016–17
Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs 2009–11
Director, Public Engagement Tina Tchen 2009–11 Jay Carney 2011–13
Jon Carson 2011–13 Josh Earnest 2013–17
Paulette L. Aniskoff 2013–17 Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton 2009–11
Director, Intergovernmental Affairs Cecilia Muñoz 2009–12 Josh Earnest 2011–13
David Agnew 2012–14 Eric Schultz 2014–17
Jerry Abramson 2014–17 Director of Special Projects Stephanie Cutter 2010–11
Director, National Economic Council Lawrence Summers 2009–10 Director, Speechwriting Jon Favreau 2009–13
Gene Sperling 2011–14 Cody Keenan 2013–17
Jeff Zients 2014–17 Director, Digital Strategy Macon Phillips 2009–13
Chair, Council of Economic Advisers Christina Romer 2009–10 Chief Digital Officer Jason Goldman 2015–17
Austan Goolsbee 2010–13 Director, Legislative Affairs Phil Schiliro 2009–11
Jason Furman 2013–17 Rob Nabors 2011–13
Chair, Economic Recovery Advisory Board Paul Volcker 2009–11 Katie Beirne Fallon 2013–16
Chair, Council on Jobs and Competitiveness Jeff Immelt 2011–13 Miguel Rodriguez 2016
Director, Domestic Policy Council Melody Barnes 2009–12 Amy Rosenbaum 2016–17
Cecilia Muñoz 2012–17 Director, Political Affairs Patrick Gaspard 2009–11
Director, Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships Joshua DuBois 2009–13 David Simas 2011–16
Melissa Rogers 2013–17 Director, Presidential Personnel Nancy Hogan 2009–13
Director, Office of Health Reform Nancy-Ann DeParle 2009–11 Johnathan D. McBride 2013–14
Director, Office of National AIDS Policy Jeffrey Crowley 2009–11 Valerie E. Green 2014–15
Grant N. Colfax 2011–13 Rodin A. Mehrbani 2016–17
Douglas M. Brooks 2013–17 White House Staff Secretary Lisa Brown 2009–11
Director, Office of Urban Affairs Adolfo Carrión Jr. 2009–10 Rajesh De 2011–12
Racquel S. Russell 2010–14 Douglas Kramer 2012–13
Roy Austin Jr. 2014–17 Joani Walsh 2014–17
Director, Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy Carol Browner 2009–11 Director, Management and Administration Bradley J. Kiley 2009–11
White House Counsel Greg Craig 2009–10 Katy A. Kale 2011–15
Bob Bauer 2010–11 Maju Varghese 2015–17
Kathryn Ruemmler 2011–14 Director, Scheduling and Advance Alyssa Mastromonaco 2009–11
Neil Eggleston 2014–17 Danielle Crutchfield 2011–14
White House Cabinet Secretary Chris Lu 2009–13 Chase Cushman 2014–17
Danielle C. Gray 2013–14 Director, White House Information Technology David Recordon 2015–17
Broderick D. Johnson 2014–17 Director, Office of Administration Cameron Moody 2009–11
Personal Aide to the President Reggie Love 2009–11 Beth Jones 2011–15
Brian Mosteller 2011–12 Cathy Solomon 2015–17
Marvin D. Nicholson 2012–17 Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy John Holdren 2009–17
Director, Oval Office Operations Brian Mosteller 2012–17 Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra 2009–12
Personal Secretary to the President Katie Johnson 2009–11 Todd Park 2012–14
Anita Decker Breckenridge 2011–14 Megan Smith 2014–17
Ferial Govashiri 2014–17 Director, Office of Management and Budget Peter R. Orszag 2009–10
Chief of Staff to the First Lady Jackie Norris 2009 Jack Lew 2010–12
Susan Sher 2009–11 Jeff Zients 2012–13
Tina Tchen 2011–17 Sylvia Mathews Burwell 2013–14
White House Social Secretary Desirée Rogers 2009–10 Brian Deese 2014
Julianna Smoot 2010–11 Shaun Donovan 2014–17
Jeremy Bernard 2011–15 Chief Information Officer Vivek Kundra 2009–11
Deesha Dyer 2015–17 Steven VanRoekel 2011–14
Chief of Staff to the Vice President Ron Klain 2009–11 Tony Scott 2015–17
Bruce Reed 2011–13 United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk 2009–13
Steve Ricchetti 2013–17 Michael Froman 2013–17
White House Chief Usher Stephen W. Rochon† 2009–11 Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy Gil Kerlikowske 2009–14
Angella Reid 2011–17 Michael Botticelli 2014–17
Director, White House Military Office George Mulligan 2009–13 Chair, Council on Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley 2009–14
Emmett Beliveau 2013–15 Michael Boots 2014–15
Dabney Kern 2016–17 Christy Goldfuss 2015–17
† Remained from previous administration.
Authority control databases Edit this at Wikidata
International
  • VIAF
National
  • Germany
  • United States
Other
  • NARA
  • SNAC