Sam Kass

Sam Kass, a political advisor, chef, and news personality, is known for his significant contributions as the former White House Chef and Senior Policy Advisor for Nutrition in the Obama administration. In January 2016, he founded TROVE, a strategy firm focusing on food health and sustainability, while also serving as a venture partner in Acre Venture Partners, a venture capital fund focused on transparency, health, and sustainability in the food system since May 2016.

Having served as the personal chef for the Obamas in Chicago, Kass joined the White House kitchen staff in 2009 as Assistant Chef and, in 2010, became Food Initiative Coordinator. He held several additional roles during his tenure, including Executive Director of First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” campaign and Senior White House Policy Advisor for Nutrition. He was instrumental in the creation of the first major vegetable garden at the White House since Eleanor Roosevelt’s victory garden. With his departure from the White House in December 2014, Kass left a lasting legacy in the field of nutrition policy.

In 2012, he helped create the inaugural class of the American Chef Corps, which promotes diplomacy through culinary initiatives. Fast Company included him in their list of 100 Most Creative People in 2011. Kass was appointed as an MIT Media Lab Director's Fellow in July 2015, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to innovation in food and technology. That same year, he was honored with the 2015 Leadership Award from the James Beard Foundation for his work on food-policy initiatives and raising awareness of childhood obesity. Further expanding his reach, Kass became the Senior Food Analyst at NBC News in July 2015.

Kass is also the author of "Eat a Little Better: Great Flavor, Good Health, Better World," which was published in 2018. In November 2015, he shared his insights on the importance of nutritious meals for children's learning in a TED Talk titled "Want kids to learn well? Feed them well." A year later, he launched his food technology company called TROVE and joined Innit, Inc. as its Chief Consumer Experience Officer, aiming to transform cooking in the home. In 2017, the World Economic Forum recognized Kass as a Young Global Leader. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago, where he played NCAA Division III baseball.

On a personal note, Kass married MSNBC television anchor Alex Wagner in August 2014 and they are proud parents of two children. His commitment to healthy eating, prevention of childhood obesity, and promotion of sustainable farming and locally grown and organic foods continue to have a profound impact worldwide.