Karen Diver named Special Assistant to the President for Native American Affairs

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 4, 2015) — President Barack Obama on Wednesday announced the appointment of Karen Diver as Special Assistant to the President for Native American Affairs. As a member of the Domestic Policy Council staff, Diver will advise the President on issues impacting Indian Country.

“Karen Diver will be a valuable part of my Administration’s mission to continue the historic progress we’ve made in building a strong Nation-to-Nation relationship with Indian Country,” said President Obama. “Her advocacy on behalf of tribal nations throughout her impressive career will serve her well in her new role, ensuring that Native Americans continue to have a voice in my Administration.”

In addition to serving as Chairwoman of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa for more than eight years, Ms. Diver also served as Vice President of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe; a member of the Board of Directors for the Corporation for Supportive Housing; a two-term Chair of the Boards of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota; and a Presidential appointee to the State, Local and Tribal Leaders Task Force on Climate Preparedness and Resiliency, co-chairing the Natural Resources Committee.  Ms. Diver has a Bachelors in Economics from the University of Minnesota, Duluth, and a Masters in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.