Susie Wiles “was going to be an English teacher” and, in her own words, became one of the most powerful women in the world by “happenstance.”
Wiles, the first-ever female White House chief of staff, has one of the lowest public profiles within President Donald Trump’s Cabinet. But she was the center of attention at the International Women’s Forum annual gala on Thursday night. The “Ice Maiden,” as she’s affectionately known within the White House, was the recipient of IWF’s Barbara K. Olson Woman of Valor Award, and she spent a few moments reflecting on her decades-long career behind the scenes of many a winning campaign.
“It’s not about me. I mean, that’s why it’s easy to have it not about me. I’m not on the ballot. I just have a team, and the team is incredible. Many of them have been with me and with President Trump for years, and so it is easy to not be personal about it, because it just doesn’t require that,” she told the crowd during a fireside chat with IWF Chairwoman Heather Higgins.
Though Wiles is almost never the story, the wider political landscape credits her with helping orchestrate Trump’s White House comeback, not to mention his original rise to power.
Chris LaCivita, who worked hand in hand with Wiles as a senior adviser on the 2024 Trump campaign, said “it’s only fitting” Wiles was recognized Thursday night.
“Valor comes in many forms,” he told the Washington Examiner. “Susie Wiles demonstrates its humility, grit, and determination every day — and does so with graceful efficiency.”
White House communications director Steven Cheung said Wiles “has helped President Trump achieve the most successful start to office of any President in American history. President Trump has no greater or more loyal advisor than Susie. The entire Administration is grateful for her steady leadership.”
Trump himself echoed those comments in a pretaped video that played before the gala.
“Not only is Susie the first female chief of staff in American history, she’s also one of the best White House chiefs of staff ever in history. I say the best. Actually, I’m tremendously grateful for her friendship, loyalty, and support every single day,” the president said in the clip. “Everything we have done here in the White House has been with her help and her leadership. She’s respected by everybody. Every one of these people, they respect Susie. We have a problem. I say, go to Susie. We owe her tremendous debt.”
A litany of Trump administration A-listers showed up to the Waldorf Astoria to share in her big night, including War Secretary Pete Hegseth, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, FBI Director Kash Patel, and FCC Chairman Brendan Carr.
Despite her track record, Wiles is currently facing one of the toughest moments of her career: an uphill fight to help Republicans maintain their congressional majorities in the 2026 midterm elections, all while battling breast cancer.
The chief received her diagnosis just nine weeks ago but isn’t taking any time off work while undergoing treatment.
“I come to work every day. I do my job. I don’t complain, and I think that sets an example, too, for the people I work with,” she stated matter-of-factly Thursday night.
As for the midterm elections, the typically private Wiles is breaking out of her shell. She joined X last week and promised to start posting more publicly in the lead-up to November. Having Wiles weigh in directly with voters may prove critical for the GOP heading into the midterm elections, according to Republican National Committee Chairman Joe Gruters.
“Susie Wiles is one of the toughest, smartest, and most respected leaders in American politics. Having worked alongside her for years, I can say firsthand there is nobody more loyal to President Trump or more committed to delivering results for the American people,” he told the Washington Examiner. “Susie helped lead the most historic political comeback in modern history in 2024, and she continues to be an invaluable force heading into the midterms.”
Whatever November’s results may prove to be, Wiles will likely go down as one of the most effective political operators in modern history. Still, the daughter of legendary NFL broadcaster Pat Summerall doesn’t want to talk about her own legacy.
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“I haven’t thought about that,” she joked to the crowd Thursday when asked how she wants people to define her “impact.”
“I’m not leaving anytime soon. I guess I want to be known as somebody who is predictable, steady, considerate of everybody, by the people that work with me and the people that maybe oppose me or us,” Wiles added. “We moved forward at a pace that’s almost inconceivable, yet we continue to do that, and I’m very proud of our ability to pull everything together, to get that done.”