Date of Completion

Winter 12-15-2025

Thesis Advisor(s)

Brent Lucia

Honors Major

Marketing

Disciplines

Marketing

Abstract

Michelle Obama, the former First Lady of the United States, has emerged as a powerful figure in politics, social advocacy, and public service. During her time in the White House, she worked on initiatives in education, health, and military family support while inspiring millions of people worldwide through her authenticity and advocacy. What distinguishes Michelle Obama as a leader is how her influence comes not from authority or hierarchy, but from connection, empathy, and moral purpose. This approach allows her to lead with authenticity, motivate others, and address inequalities within communities. As the first African American First Lady in US history, her influence and visibility carried significant historical weight. This adds another layer to her leadership as she broke barriers and expanded what representation can look like for future generations. This paper critically analyzes Michelle Obama’s leadership through the lens of servant and transformational leadership theories. These theories are important as servant leadership highlights how leaders prioritize the needs, growth, and well-being of others, while transformational leadership explains how they inspire people towards long-term change. Together, these frameworks show the relational and motivational aspects of Michelle Obama’s leadership, highlighting her goals in equity, community, and empowerment. Using these theories allows for a deeper understanding of not just what she accomplished, but how she was able to make an impact on a national scale. This paper also evaluates the strengths and limitations of her approach and concludes with a personal reflection on her impact and my understanding of leadership.

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