First lady Melania Trump helped select ambassador to Slovenia pick: report

Jessica Estepa | USA TODAY

California hotel owner Kelly Roberts is expected to be named as the administration's pick for U.S. ambassador to Slovenia, and first lady Melania Trump played a role in her selection, according to a report.

New York magazine reported that the first lady, presented with dossiers for potential candidates, ultimately picked Roberts because of her business acumen. Roberts is the vice chairman and chief operating officer of the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa in Riverside, California.

Trump was reportedly interested in who serves as the ambassador to Slovenia, the country where she was born and raised.

Roberts and her husband, Duane Roberts, are major Republican donors. According to a Q&A she did with Huffington Post in 2015, she participated in fundraising campaigns for former California governor Pete Wilson, Rep. Ken Calvert and former president George W. Bush.

New York magazine reported that Roberts donated $50,000 to President Trump's super PAC last year.

She is also co-owner of her daughter's boutique cupcake store.