WASHINGTON (CN) - President-elect Donald Trump announced Thursday his campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, will join him in the White House as counselor to the president.
Conway, a long-time pollster who has helped advise Republican candidates on how to better appeal to women, originally worked for a political action committee supporting Sen. Ted Cruz before joining Trump's campaign after the Texas senator dropped from the race.
Conway was Trump's third campaign manager, taking over for Paul Manafort in August.
Before joining Trump's campaign, Conway worked with an extensive list on high-profile Republicans, including former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Vice President-elect Mike Pence. She also worked with Todd Akin, whose 2012 run for Congress imploded when he referred to "legitimate rape" in a television interview.
Conway is the first woman to successfully manage a presidential campaign, a fact Trump proudly trumpeted in the statement announcing Conway's selection, which boasts "President-elect Trump's victory on November 8th also shattered the glass ceiling for women."
"Kellyanne Conway has been a trusted advisor and strategist who played a crucial role in my victory," Trump said in a statement. "She is a tireless and tenacious advocate of my agenda and has amazing insights on how to effectively communicate our message. I am pleased that she will be part of my senior team in the West Wing."
Conway seemed at odds with Trump at times during the campaign and transition, such as when she criticized former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney when he was still in the running to serve as Trump's secretary of state.
Conway had expressed some doubt about joining Trump in the White House immediately after his election, saying she was worried if she did so she would not have enough time to spend with her four children.
Trump also announced the senior members of his White House communications staff on Thursday.
Transition aides Sean Spicer, Hope Hicks, Jason Miller and Dan Scavino will serve in the administration. Trump named Spicer his White House press secretary, while Hicks will serve as strategic communications director, Miller will serve as communications director, and Scavino will be social media director.
Subscribe to Closing Arguments
Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.