Chris Whipple Accepts Honorary Fellowship from The Chief of Staff Association

New York City, New York Apr 14, 2025 (EMWNews.com) – The Chief of Staff Association (CSA) announced that Chris Whipple – the Emmy Award-winning documentarian and author of the acclaimed book The Gatekeepers and the new book Uncharted – has been named an Honorary Fellow and inducted as a Lifetime Member of The CSA. The honor was officially presented at CSA’s flagship gathering, COS25, a Global Dialogue at Microsoft Headquarters connecting chiefs of staff and executive leaders from around the world. As an Honorary Fellow, Whipple joins an exclusive group of distinguished c-suite leaders recognized for their outstanding contributions to the chief of staff profession and their support of CSA’s global mission.

Chris Whipple is widely respected as an authority on White House chiefs of staff and the inner workings of the presidency. His best-selling book The Gatekeepers: How the White House Chiefs of Staff Define Every Presidency has become a definitive work on the pivotal role that chiefs of staff play in the success of a President. His latest book, Uncharted, has garnered widespread attention–sparked by a series of high-profile media interviews–further cementing Whipple’s reputation as a leading voice on presidential leadership and the critical behind-the-scenes role of the chief of staff. Whipple’s multiple Peabody Awards and decades of storytelling in documentaries and books have provided rare insights into the corridors of power, making him an exquisite fit for CSA’s community of global chief of staff professionals.

“I am deeply honored to be recognized by an organization that understands the critical role chiefs of staff play in supporting leaders,” said Chris Whipple, author of The Gatekeepers and Uncharted. “I have spent years chronicling how chiefs of staff can define entire presidencies from behind the scenes, and I’ve seen firsthand how effective leadership often starts with these unsung gatekeepers. Joining The Chief of Staff Association as an Honorary Fellow is thrilling for me, and I look forward to contributing to a global community that connects and empowers those in this pivotal role.”

Trent Smyth, Chief Executive Officer of The Chief of Staff Association, who led the Global Dialogue, said, “Chris Whipple’s unparalleled work has shed light on the impact that chiefs of staff have had at the highest levels of government. His commitment to illuminating this profession aligns perfectly with CSA’s mission, and we look forward to supporting Chris as he continues to drive the global discourse around this critical profession.”

“Our global community of chiefs of staff has long studied and admired Chris Whipple’s deep insights,” said Drew Davis, Senior Vice President of Commercial at The Chief of Staff Association. “Chris’s induction as a Lifetime Member reinforces our commitment to learning from the very best and underscores CSA’s role in bringing together and inspiring the world’s chiefs of staff.”

About The Chief of Staff Association

The Chief of Staff Association (CSA) is the leading international professional association for chiefs of staff. CSA connects, develops, and empowers chiefs of staff across all industries and sectors worldwide, providing its members with a cohesive global community, executive education in partnership with Oxford and Harvard business schools, and resources to excel in strategic advisory and leadership roles. The Chief of Staff Association’s initiatives include high-level events – such as its flagship Chief of Staff Global Dialogue in partnership with Microsoft – as well as training programs, thought leadership, and networking opportunities that elevate the chief of staff profession across public, private, and non-profit sectors. By fostering collaboration and sharing best tools and practices, CSA enables chiefs of staff around the globe to drive strategic impact and effectively support the leaders and organizations they serve.

Visit https://www.CSA.org to explore Membership or to train your company’s chiefs of staff via The CSA Enterprise Certification Program.