Just be cautious - Anonymous employee Obama Foundation Employee Review

2.0
Jun 24, 2021
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Inspiring colleagues. Creative environment. Well known brand.

Cons

The organization lacks strategic vision and implementation abilities. Gaslighting is all too common. Whenever there is a concern, staff are often told "Working at the Obama Foundation is a privilege." Any sort of constructive feedback to improve organizational culture and morale is often dismissed and ignored. There is an expectation to always be on and to perform multiple roles, work life balance is almost impossible. Operates like a campaign office vs. a traditional non profit.The Foundation has spent a year + crafting an anti-racist framework that is very fluffy in language, but there has been no tangible DE&I progress internally, only social media tweets showing solidarity when a movement is trending and public announcements of diversity hires to appease external audiences. Proximity to the President drives everything. It is common for more senior staff to play political and optics games to ensure they can move onto bigger opportunities post Foundation. Burnout is real and there isn't a desire to retain talented staff.

Explore other reviews about Obama Foundation

1.0
Jun 21, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Some of the people there were great to work with. Decent benefits. Being apart of history

Cons

The place was very toxic. If leadership does not like you, they would find something to get you terminated because god forbid if HR gave a damn about their jobs and do some investigating and get the truth. Leadership can do and say whatever they want without any repercussions. POC (mostly black women) at the organization are being forced out with the help of leadership and HR. The organization could be a wonderful place to work for if leadership would stand by the core values that the Obama’s stood for. They want analysts and associates to do all the work and they take the credit for it. Respect, integrity and loyalty is not something leadership follows only if you’re white or come from an elite family.

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