The Hope Machine: Michael Strautmanis on the Obama Presidential Center

To celebrate Juneteenth and the historic opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, host Lamell McMorris welcomes Incoming Executive Vice President Michael Strautmanis back to Chicago's South Side. Far from a traditional archive, this privately funded "hope machine" utilizes world-class green spaces and local hiring pipelines to expand what the next generation believes they can achieve.

Throughout the episode, Strautmanis weaves the show's core leadership habits directly into his journey. He shares how dogged determination led him to call a hiring director monthly for over a year to secure the job that introduced him to the Obamas. He pairs this grit with the agility of introspection—a self-reflection habit learned from President Obama to overcome people-pleasing and find authentic purpose. Ultimately, he defines his legacy as building a network of winners by working behind the scenes to let others succeed and scale systemic community impact.

About the Obama Presidential Center

The Obama Presidential Center, located on Chicago’s South Side, is a civic hub and "hope machine" designed to invest in local communities and inspire the next generation of global leaders. Far from a traditional museum, the privately funded campus features world-class architectural green spaces, a public playground, and a branch of the Chicago Public Library. It stands as a vibrant economic and cultural catalyst, offering community programming, local career pipelines, and immersive exhibits that celebrate the legacy of President and Mrs. Obama.

To plan a visit or explore their civic programs, check out these official resources:

Plan Your Visit: https://www.obama.org/visit/

Civic Initiatives: https://www.obama.org/