DNC CEO Breaks Barriers Behind The Scenes
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Democratic National Convention is just a few weeks away, and it is set to be historic as the party launches Hillary Clinton as the first woman to lead the Democratic ticket.
But there's another woman shattering glass behind the scenes.
Reverend Leah Daughtry is all about business. She is the Chief Executive Officer of the Democratic National Convention.
Her job is to bring thousands of Democrats together – flawlessly -- and she says it isn't easy:
"There are lots of moving parts...95 hotels, 15,000-16,000 hotel rooms."
A fifth generation pastor, Daughtry is extremely organized, and credits her planning and diplomacy skills to years of work in where else, but church:
"If you can navigate the personalities and the politics in the black church, navigating the Democratic party politics is easy."
Daughtry's political career began in 1984 in Jesse Jackson's presidential Campaign. She Transitioned to conventions in 1992, and in 2008, she served as CEO of the historic convention that nominated Barack Obama.
"I couldn't think about that this is historic," she says. :I had to keep putting one foot in front of the other."
Now she's the first person to run the convention twice, another historic event when the first woman gets the nomination. But for now, Daughtry is staying focused:
"I have a vision where I want this to go."
With less than 40 days until the convention, the DNC is already working hard to transform the Wells Fargo Center into a miniature city with its own infrastructure and transportation system.
But Daughtry -- who is driven by faith -- says once the final speech is made, she'll reflect:
"At the moment, you realize the weight of the history and role, and your small part in building the stage for history."
