Charity N. Wallace

Deputy Chief of Protocol
Term of Appointment: 9/17/2007 to present

Charity N. Wallace was sworn in as Deputy Chief of Protocol of the United States on September 17, 2007. As Deputy Chief, Ms. Wallace serves as the chief operating officer of the Office of the Chief of Protocol, as well as Acting Chief of Protocol in the absence of the Chief.

In this role, Ms. Wallace oversees the visits of chiefs of state, heads of government and other international dignitaries who are in the United States to meet with the President, Vice President or Secretary of State. She also accompanies delegations representing the President at official ceremonies abroad.

Ms. Wallace joins the Office of the Chief of Protocol after serving 3 years as the Director of Advance for the First Lady, Mrs. Laura Bush. In this role, Ms. Wallace was responsible for the execution of Mrs. Bush's 300-plus annual events and served as her primary negotiator and protocol/logistics advisor for all foreign trips as well as domestic visits. During her tenure, Ms. Wallace traveled to more than 50 countries, working with foreign leaders and officials, and Embassy staff around the world.

Since joining the Bush Administration in January 2001 and prior to her tenure in the First Lady's office, Ms. Wallace has served in public liaison positions in the Office of Presidential Advance, the U.S. Department of Education, the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, and USA Freedom Corps.

Ms. Wallace is a native of California and graduated magna cum laude from Pepperdine University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, focusing in international relations. Following graduation, she began her career in professional musical theater, leaving after 2 years to join the Bush-Cheney campaign in January 2000.