Today, the President’s Commission on White House Fellows announces the appointment of the 2018-2019 class of White House Fellows. The highly regarded White House Fellowship provides professionals from diverse backgrounds an opportunity to engage in public service for one year by serving in various roles in the Federal government.
Created in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson, the White House Fellows Program was designed “to give the Fellows first hand, high-level experience with the workings of the Federal government and to increase their sense of participation in national affairs.” The Fellowship was created as a non-partisan program and has maintained this tradition throughout both Republican and Democratic administrations. The mission of the White House Fellows Program is to encourage active citizenship and service to the Nation. Throughout the year, fellows actively participate in an education program that expands their knowledge of leadership, policy-making, and contemporary issues. Community service plays a vital role in the program, and Fellows take part in service projects throughout the year.
The highly competitive selection process to become a White House Fellow is based on a record of professional accomplishment, evidence of leadership skills, the potential for further growth, and a commitment to public service. Selected individuals spend a year working as a full-time, paid fellow to senior White House Staff, Cabinet Secretaries, and other top-ranking government officials. Additional information about the White House Fellows Program is available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/participate/fellows
Elizabeth Gillis is from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and is placed at the U.S. Department of Treasury. Elizabeth is a Coast Guard Lieutenant Commander with experience in shipboard operations and financial management. Most recently, she served as the Comptroller and Operations Officer at Base Los Angeles/Long Beach. Previously, Elizabeth was a high-level financial analyst at Coast Guard Headquarters. For her efforts and leadership, Elizabeth earned two DHS Chief Financial Officer Team awards for efficiency, innovation, and transparency. Elizabeth also led diverse operations and teams over seven years at sea in fast-paced, hazardous situations. She commanded three ships, including Coast Guard Cutter WRANGELL, homeported in Bahrain during a period of elevated threats in the Arabian Gulf. Domestically, she interdicted over $1 billion in cocaine, apprehended more than 25 narco-terrorists, and rescued over 120 people in distress. Following a particularly difficult rescue, her ship was selected as the Coast Guard Foundation’s Unit of the Year for heroism. Elizabeth earned an M.B.A. from the University of Michigan and graduated from the United States Naval Academy with a B.S. in Oceanography. She cross-commissioned into the Coast Guard upon graduation, the first Department of Defense Service Academy graduate ever to do so. In her spare time, Elizabeth volunteers extensively, works on her goal of visiting all seven continents, and enjoys swing dancing.
