Oak Park woman hired as Trump's apprentice
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

ATTORNEY WINS CASE- - Stefanie Schaeffer, right, shares a photo op, below, after the show with "Apprentice" stars Donald Trump Jr., Donald Trump and Ivanka Trump.

Whether Stefanie Schaeffer purposely devised a strategy to fly under the radar of her fellow candidates on this season's "The Apprentice"- and away from the firing squad in Donald Trump's board room- or is simply a poised, behindthescenes business professional who knows how to get the job done without ruffling any feathers, it doesn't matter. Schaeffer, a resident of Oak Park, was named Trump's sixth apprentice Sunday in a live production at the Hollywood Bowl.

The 32-year-old attorney made history on the show. Schaeffer never served as a project manager of a task during the course of the 13-week show, nor was she ever sent to the boardroom to face barbs from her fellow candidates vying for the same dream job or criticism from the Trump clan- that is until the final episode when the four finalists were paraded on stage and critiqued by "The Donald."

Schaeffer was the only candidate not to hear those famous words: "You're fired."

A project manager is a leadership role on the show that allows "Apprentice" candidates to strut their creative, tough-as-nails stuff. Project managers, however, often are targeted with the most criticism from fellow candidates and are often blamed for the group's failure.

When Ivanka Trump asked Schaeffer whether she stayed out of the fray because of "genius, strategy or fear," Schaeffer answered, "I am fearless."

"Behind every great director there's a great producer," Schaeffer said to Trump, who also worried about her low-key style. "You need someone sort of behind the scenes, moving everything along, making sure the whole big picture comes together, and that's where I come in," Schaeffer said.

Schaeffer was surprised at her victory. "I was hopeful, yet I had no idea who would be the next Apprentice," Schaeffer said. "Actually, I sensed that Mr. Trump was leaning toward James."

When the final "you're fired" was aimed at Sun, Schaeffer said she was stunned. "I was shocked, then ecstatic. . . sheer joy," she said.

Schaeffer paired off with James Sun in the final challenge. The duo produced a 60-second ad for Renuzit air and fabric freshener.

Ousted candidates Kristine Lefebvre and Heidi Bressler gave their vote of confidence to Schaeffer when Trump asked for their opinion. "I love a strong woman, and Stefanie is the epitome of a strong woman, Bressler said.

"You don't have to scream the loudest to be the strongest," Lefebvre said of Schaeffer's lowkey business style.

As Trump's newest apprentice, Schaeffer will oversee Trump at Capcana, a new luxury resort being built in the Dominican Republic, earning $250,000 per year in her new role.

Before Schaeffer heads out to the Caribbean, she was whisked to New York for a glitzy media tour only "The Donald" could command.

Schaeffer's friends, family and colleagues believe Trump chose the best candidate.

"Stefanie has a timeless and ever-blossoming career ahead," said Shelley Marks, Schaeffer's business development and media manager. "She represents what greatness is all about and in every dimension. From international real estate development for the Trump organization, she also has what it takes to be a new face and voice for luxury brands, a noted media personality, published author and global philanthropist. Stefanie Schaeffer is a media dynamo we have only begun to know."

Schaeffer's family released a joint comment. "We are all so very proud and yet not surprised," they said. "We felt she would be the winner from the beginning."

"Stefanie is not only brilliant, she is simply a great lady," said Steve Radenbaugh, one of Schaeffer's construction clients.

"Being on 'The Apprentice' was a life-changing experience," Schaeffer said. "It was unique and rare to take part in the opportunities of each weekly task. I've met wonderful people and have learned so much. I am very grateful to NBC, Mark Burnett and Donald Trump for this onceinalifetime adventure."