You’ve probably heard of the Obamas. Obviously. But if you look at the photos from their private vacations in Hawaii or Martha’s Vineyard, you’ll almost always spot two people who aren't secret service agents. That’s Martin and Anita Nesbitt.
Honestly, they might be the most influential couple in Chicago that you haven't read a tabloid about. Martin (or "Marty" to his friends) is a private equity titan. Anita is a high-level physician who literally delivered the Obama daughters.
They aren't just "friends of." They are the foundation.
Who Exactly are Martin and Anita Nesbitt?
Let’s get the basics out of the way first. Martin Nesbitt is the co-founder and co-CEO of The Vistria Group, a massive private equity firm. Before that, he basically changed how we think about travel by co-founding The Parking Spot—you know, those yellow and black spotted shuttles at every airport? Yeah, that was him.
Anita Blanchard Nesbitt is just as heavy-hitting. She’s a doctor. Not just any doctor, but a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Chicago. She’s the person who delivered Malia and Sasha Obama.
Think about that for a second. That is a level of trust you can’t buy with campaign contributions.
The Basketball Court and the Scrabble Board
How do you even meet a future President? For Marty, it wasn't a networking event. It was basketball. He was close with Craig Robinson, Michelle Obama's brother.
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The story goes that Marty first met Barack on the courts. But they didn't really connect until a legendary night of Scrabble. Marty’s wife, Anita, and Michelle were already friends. They basically forced the two men to sit down and hang out.
It worked.
The two couples became "family by choice." While Barack was climbing the political ladder, Marty was the one handling the money. He served as the national treasurer for both of Obama’s presidential campaigns.
The Vistria Group and Marty's Business Mind
Marty Nesbitt isn't just a political friend. He’s a shark—in a good way.
He started Vistria because he wanted to invest in companies that actually do something for the public good. We’re talking:
- Healthcare
- Education
- Financial Services
He’s on the board of American Airlines and Chewy. The guy is everywhere. But he always says the same thing: it’s not about him. It’s about the institution. He’s currently the chairman of the Obama Foundation, which means he’s the one overseeing the construction of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
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That’s a multi-hundred-million-dollar project. No big deal, right?
Dr. Anita Blanchard: More Than Just "The Doctor"
Anita is the Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education at UChicago. She’s responsible for training the next generation of doctors.
While Marty is out raising billions, Anita is focused on the South Side of Chicago. She’s spent decades working on teen health and maternal care.
She’s a powerhouse.
She’s been on the board of the Art Institute of Chicago and was even appointed to the Committee for the Preservation of the White House. People often overlook the wives of successful businessmen, but Anita is a titan in her own right. You don't get to be a Dean at a major medical institution by just being someone's friend.
Why They Stay Under the Radar
The Nesbitts are famously private. You won't see them doing "tell-all" interviews. Even when Marty does business press, he keeps it about the work.
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They’ve been the "First Friends" for over a decade, but they still live in the same Kenwood neighborhood where they first met the Obamas.
They are the ultimate "inner circle."
What We Can Learn From the Nesbitt Playbook
It’s easy to look at people like Martin and Anita Nesbitt and think they just got lucky. But looking at their history, there’s a pattern you can actually use.
- Trust is Currency: Marty didn't get to be treasurer because he was the best accountant in the world. He got it because he was the most trusted.
- Diversify Your Impact: Anita didn't just practice medicine; she taught it and influenced policy.
- Stay Grounded: Despite the global fame of their best friends, they stayed in Chicago. They kept their kids in the same schools.
If you want to understand power in the 21st century, don't look at the people on the stage. Look at the people standing just off to the side.
That’s where the Nesbitts are.
Next Steps for Research:
Check out the Obama Foundation's official leadership page to see the latest updates on the Presidential Center. If you're interested in the business side, look into The Vistria Group's recent acquisitions in the healthcare space—they are currently one of the most active firms in the mid-market sector. For medical professionals, Dr. Anita Blanchard’s work on the ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education) offers a blueprint for modern residency program management.