First Lady Michelle Obama’s press secretary, Katie McCormick-Lelyveld, is stepping down to return to the private sector in Chicago.

Hannah August, a regional communications director at the White House, will take over for McCormick-Lelyveld, who has not announced her new job but said she will not work for the Obama-Biden campaign.

“Katie has been with me since the very beginning and I’ve relied on her intelligence, grace, quick wit, humor and friendship through the campaign and at the White House,” Obama said in a statement.

August, who has covered the South and women’s issues for the White House, was a press secretary at the Justice Dept. and comms. deputy at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Obama said deputy press secretary Semonti Stephens was promoted to deputy communications director.