Olympic skater Michelle Kwan among senior Biden campaign staff

[brooklynite]

The Hill

Olympic figure skate Michelle Kwan is one of the high-profile figures joining former Vice President Joe Biden's newly announced campaign for president.

Kwan's addition to the campaign was announced Thursday in a press release coinciding with the campaign launch. In an Instagram post, the world champion figure skater wrote that she was "thrilled that @joebiden announced that he’s running for President!"

"I know that there is already a field of incredible democratic candidates and the 2020 election is so important we cannot lose sight of the big picture. Ultimately, I believe that the Vice President is the ideal candidate to unify our country with his experience, knowledge and track record of fighting for Americans," Kwan wrote, citing Biden's work with former President Obama to pass the Affordable Care Act, better known as ObamaCare.

"He championed marriage equality and remains at the forefront of ensuring LGBTQ rights. He has tackled climate change and pollution to protect our environment. He has earned the respect of the international community and, through his leadership, he will strengthen our relationships with our allies and stand up to meet rising global challenges," she continued.

[LongtimeAZDem]

1. Far out; I didn't know any of this about her

In 2009, she began graduate studies in international relations at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and graduated in 2011.

On November 9, 2006, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice named Michelle Kwan as a public diplomacy ambassador. In this non-salaried position, Kwan represented American values, especially to young people and sports enthusiasts, and traveled widely. Kwan made her first overseas trip in the capacity of public diplomacy ambassador with a visit to China from January 17–25, 2007.

Her diplomatic position as an envoy continued in the Barack Obama administration where she worked with Vice President Joe Biden and then Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

Following her first trip to China as a public diplomacy envoy, Kwan continued her role in subsequent trips to Russia in June 2007, Argentina in March 2008, Ukraine in February 2009, South Korea in January 2010, and Singapore in January 2011.

On April 15, 2011, it was announced that Kwan would serve as an adviser to the U.S.-China Women's Leadership Exchange and Dialogue (Women-LEAD). In December 2012, Kwan was appointed as a State Department senior adviser for public diplomacy and public affairs.

In June 2015, Michelle Kwan announced that she will support Hillary Clinton's campaign efforts by working on outreach efforts from Clinton's headquarters in Brooklyn.

[Karadeniz]

2. Thank you! I had no idea of all she's been up to! Good to learn.

[Cha]

3. Good on Michelle Kwan!

Thank you!

[Cha]

4. K!