Samantha Tubman, Assistant Social Secretary, Is Maestra Of Minutiae

White House Social Secretary and Washington's Best-Dressed Woman Desiree Rogers might be the hostess with the mostess, but she gets by with a little help from her staff, namely Assistant Social Secretary Samantha Tubman. Tubman, hailed in a recent Washington Post profile as a "genius," "hero," and "one-woman army" (all three compliments came from Assistant White House Chef Sam Kass), manages the microscopic details of every presidential event.

She's a maestra of the minutiae behind events that play out all over the White House, making sure the right podium is used, that every player is on the same page, that the ticktock of a program runs smoothly. She's a perfectionist and, from what people say, a total dear. She's happy with this reputation.

Tubman has been with the Obama team since the campaign trail and has planned everything from bill-signings to garden-plantings to the Halloween Party. Her current project is the upcoming state dinner honoring India. So how does Samantha stay on top of it all? With some Michelle Obama-inspired footwear, of course:

She strides up and down the grassy expanse in sensible flats, touching base with the pastry chef, the head of operations, the first lady's advance team and anyone else involved with the show.