When President-elect Donald Trump needed a steady hand to steer his ship in stormy waters, Susie Wiles, the “Ice Maiden,” answered the call. As his first appointment after his stunning victory over the Democrats in the 2024 election, Trump entrusted her with the keys to his political kingdom as chief of staff. But how did this cool-headed strategist go from parsing poetry to orchestrating presidential power plays? The answer lies in her fascinating educational journey and not-so-textbook career choices.
The English Major with a Master Plan
Back in the late ’70s, Wiles was just another idealistic undergraduate at the University of Maryland, College Park, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature (Class of ’79). While her classmates were daydreaming about publishing novels or becoming the next great literary critics, Susie was busy decoding the art of persuasion, narrative-building, and audience control—all tools that would later help her dominate political campaigns. For Wiles, it wasn’t just about the syllabus; it was about storytelling. Whether it was Hamlet’s “to be or not to be” or a stump speech for a Senate hopeful, she understood how to spin words into influence.
Trading Verse for Votes
After graduating, Wiles did something surprising: she swapped prose for politics. Her first gigs in public relations saw her working for Congressman Jack Kemp and later serving as a campaign scheduler on Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign. While her friends were proofreading manuscripts, Wiles was making sure Reagan’s every move was razor-sharp and well-timed. Her Florida chapter began in earnest when she became the first woman to serve as chief of staff to Jacksonville Mayor John Delaney. If politics was a game of chess, Wiles was positioning herself as a queen capable of making decisive moves.
Becoming the Campaign Fixer
By 2010, Wiles was already a legend in Florida’s political circles. She took Rick Scott’s long-shot bid for Florida governor—a former healthcare executive with little political experience—and turned it into a victory, showing the world she could turn a wild card into a winning hand. Her ability to coolly dissect challenges and spin a compelling narrative earned her the nickname “Ice Maiden”—a strategist who could make the chaos around her freeze. Her resume also included managing Jon Huntsman Jr.’s 2012 presidential campaign—a former Utah governor and U.S. ambassador known for his moderate stance and foreign policy expertise. Though the campaign ended early, Wiles’ star continued to rise. She had become known as the political equivalent of a first responder: calm, collected, and always ready with a plan.
Catching Trump’s Eye
Her national breakthrough came in 2018 when she helmed Ron DeSantis’ gubernatorial campaign and delivered a decisive win. Trump took notice. By 2020, she was running Trump’s Florida operations, securing the Sunshine State’s crucial electoral votes and earning the former president’s trust.
But her genius went beyond voter outreach. Wiles knew how to handle scandals, drive narratives, and control the political spotlight. Her skillset wasn’t about theatrics; it was about precision.
The White House Power Move
When Trump named Susie Wiles his chief of staff in 2024, it wasn’t just a case of loyalty—it was an acknowledgment that she was the architect behind some of his biggest wins. As the first woman to hold the role in Trump’s White House, Wiles now has the biggest political stage of her career.
Susie Wiles’ story is a lesson in reinvention and resilience—a reminder that career paths aren’t always linear, but they can still lead to historic destinations.
