Most people think they know who the real movers and shakers in the Obama circle are. You’ve got the political consultants, the former cabinet members, and the high-profile donors. But if you really want to understand the inner sanctum—the people who were there before the motorcades and the Secret Service—you have to look at Marty Nesbitt and Anita Blanchard.
They aren't just "friends of the family." Honestly, calling them that is a massive understatement. This is a couple that has managed to maintain a staggering level of influence in business, medicine, and national politics while staying almost entirely under the radar of the average American.
Who Exactly are Marty Nesbitt and Anita Blanchard?
To understand the weight they carry, you have to look at where they sit in the Chicago hierarchy. Marty Nesbitt is the co-founder and co-CEO of The Vistria Group, a private equity firm that manages billions. Anita Blanchard is a heavy hitter in her own right—a prominent OB-GYN and a professor at the University of Chicago who has spent decades shaping the next generation of doctors.
But for many, their claim to fame is more personal. Anita is the doctor who delivered both Sasha and Malia Obama. That’s a level of intimacy you just can’t replicate with a campaign contribution.
The "First Friend" and the Vistria Empire
Marty Nesbitt didn't just wake up one day as a private equity mogul. He started from a working-class background in Columbus, Ohio. He’s often joked that his family thought he was "out of his mind" for leaving a stable job at General Motors to get an MBA at the University of Chicago.
It was a gamble that paid off.
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Before Vistria, Marty was the guy who revolutionized how we think about airport parking. He co-founded The Parking Spot with Penny Pritzker (yes, that Pritzker family). They turned the miserable experience of off-site parking into a billion-dollar brand with those signature spotted shuttles.
Nowadays, his focus is much broader. Through The Vistria Group, he’s playing in the big leagues:
- Healthcare: Investing in companies that provide home care and medical services.
- Education: Vistria famously led the acquisition of the Apollo Education Group, which owns the University of Phoenix.
- Financial Services: Tackling the intersection of public policy and private profit.
Some critics find the University of Phoenix deal a bit "opaque," but Marty has always maintained that the goal is to fix systems that are broken. He isn't just looking for a quick exit; he’s looking for influence.
Anita Blanchard: Beyond the Delivery Room
While Marty is navigating the boardroom, Dr. Anita Blanchard is a pillar of the University of Chicago’s medical community. She’s not just a practicing physician; she’s an Associate Dean for Graduate Medical Education. Basically, she oversees more than 1,000 residents and fellows.
She grew up in a family that valued education deeply. After graduating from Northwestern, she hit the ground running at the Pritzker School of Medicine.
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What’s interesting about Anita is how she uses her platform. She’s been a massive advocate for diversity in medicine, particularly on Chicago's South Side. She didn't just deliver the Obama kids and call it a day; she’s spent over 35 years building programs like "Community Champions" to get young doctors involved in the local neighborhood.
A Relationship Built on the Basketball Court
How did these two meet the Obamas? It wasn't at a fancy gala. It was through Craig Robinson, Michelle Obama's brother. Marty and Craig played basketball together at Princeton, and that connection became the foundation of a lifelong friendship.
The Nesbitts were the ones who kept the Obamas grounded. They vacationed together in Hawaii and Martha’s Vineyard. When Barack Obama decided to run for the U.S. Senate—and later the Presidency—Marty was the one he trusted to be his national campaign treasurer.
Today, Marty serves as the Chairman of the Barack Obama Foundation. He’s literally the architect of the former President's legacy, overseeing the construction of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park.
Why This Matters in 2026
You might wonder why we're still talking about them. The reason is simple: influence doesn't expire when a term limit hits.
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The Nesbitts represent a specific kind of American power. It’s quiet. It’s rooted in "the institution." Whether it’s Marty sitting on the board of American Airlines and Chewy, or Anita shaping medical policy at a national level, they are the ones making decisions that affect your travel, your healthcare, and your neighborhood.
Actionable Insights for the "Inner Circle" Strategy
If there’s anything to learn from the rise of Marty Nesbitt and Anita Blanchard, it’s about the value of long-term loyalty and niche expertise.
- Trust is the ultimate currency. Marty became a billionaire not just because he was smart, but because people like the Obamas and the Pritzkers trusted him with their most sensitive projects.
- Stay in the room. Anita didn't just practice medicine; she took on administrative and educational roles that gave her a say in how the entire hospital system works.
- Diversify your influence. Don't just be "the business guy" or "the doctor." Be the person who bridges the gap between the private sector and the public good.
The reality is that while the headlines focus on the politicians, it’s the people like Marty and Anita who are often holding the blueprints for what comes next. They are a masterclass in how to lead a high-impact life without needing a spotlight to validate it.
Next Step: Research the current investment portfolio of The Vistria Group to see which sectors they are prioritizing in the mid-2020s, as their moves often signal upcoming shifts in federal policy and private sector growth.