National Council on White House History
History's Ambassadors
Meet the members of The National Council on White House History
who we are
In early 1961, before major restoration of the White House began, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy asked a group of informed and connected individuals to join what would become her White House Fine Arts Committee. This committee was tasked with the acquisition of antique furniture for the restoration, and for drafting many of its controlling principles.
Mrs. Kennedy realized how important it was to assemble a team of leaders and advocates that could successfully champion White House preservation, and it is for that same reason we’ve established the National Council on White House History.
What we do
Through investments of their time, influence, and resources, individuals invited to join the National Council are committed to promoting and preserving the rich history of America’s Executive Mansion. Council members serve as ambassadors for the Association, raising our profile nationally and advocating for our efforts in the areas of protection, preservation, and public access. They also serve as incubators for new relationships with potential donors, and provide critical unrestricted financial support.
National Council members take part in a number of exclusive engagements and events which we’ve outlined in more detail in our ‘How You Can Help’ section.
Council members serve as ambassadors for the Association, raising our profile nationally and advocating for our efforts in the areas of protection, preservation, and public access.
National Council Members
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Frances Spradley
National Council Chair
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Marcie Brogan
Member of the Cabinet
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Teresa Carlson
Member of the Cabinet
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Tatiana Brandt Copeland
Member of the Cabinet
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Robert Dyson
Member of the Cabinet
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Louise Gund
Member of the Cabinet
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Victoria Jackson
Member of the Cabinet
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Jo Carole Lauder
Member of the Cabinet
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Shahin Mafi
MEMBER OF THE CABINET
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Carol Taiclet
Member of the Cabinet
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Chike Agu
Member of the Cabinet
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David Austin
Member of the Cabinet
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Kim Norris Abod
Member
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Eula Adams
Member
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Annette Allen
Member
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Marta Batmasian
Member
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Theresa Behrendt
Member
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Barbara L. Bowles
Member
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Nancy Bratic
Member
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John Budetti
Member
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Phil Busey
Member
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Robert Capoferri
Member
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Merlynn Carson
Member
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Norman Cohn
Member
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Theresa Cole
Member
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Parker J. Collier
Member
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Kimberly Cooper
Member
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Candace Cummings
Member
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Mike Curb
Member
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Ashley Bittman Dabbiere
Member
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John H. Dalton
Member
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Sharon Davis
Member
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Hamilton Davison
Member
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Ann M. Drake
Member
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Debbie Driesmen
Member
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Philip Dufour
Member
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Stephen Duprey
Member
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Claire Dwoskin
Member
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Akram Elias
Member
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Beth Eliason
Member
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Tony Fratto
Member
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William H. Freeman
Member
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John Giordano
Member
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John F.X. Graham
Member
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Maria Green
Member
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Alan Hall
Member
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Marilyn Hall
Member
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Mary E. “Bessie” Simpson Hanahan
Member
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Gabriela Hearst
Member
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Carrie Ann Hoernig
Member
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Sarah Horton
Member
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Teena Hostovich
Member
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Ghada Irani
Member
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Julie Jackson
Member
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The Honorable Lorna Mae Johnson
Member
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Y. Michele Kang
Member
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Robert N. Kaplan
Member
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Howard and Michele Kessler
Lifetime Members
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Nabila Khashoggi
Member
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Susan Klein
Member
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Bradley Knox
Member
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Metta Krach
Member
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Anne Lantry
Member
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Sandra Lee
Member
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Thomas Lloyd
Member
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George Logothetis
Member
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Jennifer London
Member
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Marlene Malek
Member
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Lisa Manning
Member
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George Marcus
Member
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Bonnie McElveen-Hunter
Member
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Robert M. McGee
Member
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Debby McGinn
Member
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Pam Miller
Member
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Justine Miner
Member
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Mary V. Mochary
Member
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Frances Moody-Dahlberg
Member
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Dianne Ingels Moss
Member
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Dr. Shamim N. Nagy
Member
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Marsha Naify
Member
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Glori Norwitt
Member
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Dr. Amelia Ogunlesi
Lifetime Member
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Bob Page
Member
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Sarah Perot
Member
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Linda Powers
Member
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Paula Reinhold
Member
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Rebecca Reyes
Member
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Vivian Riefberg
Member
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John F. W. Rogers
Lifetime Member
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Matthew Romanowski
Member
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Jeanne Ruesch
Member
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Frederick J. Ryan, Jr.
Member
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Roy Salamé
Member
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Karen Schaufeld
Member
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Mary Scheible
Member
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Susan Silverstein Scott
Member
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Marlyne Sexton
Lifetime Member
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Martha McGeary Snider
Member
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Sheldon Stone
Lifetime Member
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Steven Strawn
Member
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Ramon Tallaj
Member
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Clare Phillips Tayback
Member
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Karen Walsh
Member
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Desiree Watson
Member
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Gregory W. Wendt
Member
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Laura Wideman
Member
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Jane Wilf
Member
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Beatrice Wilkinson Welters
Member
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Kristen Williams-Haseotes
Member
how we do it
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Protect
We fund the acquisition and protection of historically significant artwork, furniture, china, and other household items for the White House’s permanent collection.
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Preserve
We assist in the preservation and periodic renovation of White House interiors, and commission the official portraits of both the President and the First Lady.
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Provide
We provide meaningful connection to the White House through our publications, educational programs, digital image library, exhibits, and the White House Visitors Center.
How You Can Help
As our thank-you, members of the National Council receive:
The National Council
- Invitations to convene twice a year with senior leadership of the White House Historical Association
- Briefings from Association leadership throughout the year
- Invitations to exhibitions, symposia, lectures and book signings at the Association
- Invitation to an annual presidential site trip (Presidential Libraries, Birthplaces, and Homes)
Members also receive exclusive “first look” updates on Association projects and initiatives, which include:
- Participating in strategic discussions with Association leadership
- Visibility as an important leader within the White House Historical Association
- Engaging with content leaders, historians, authors, and peers in the social and business communities
- Receiving early notice of news and updates about the Association
- Receiving complimentary invitations to Association events
For more information about the National Council on White House History, please contact nationalcouncil@whha.org.