CEO

Wendeen established EOLIS in 1967 as the first search firm exclusively for lawyers - to serve law firms and corporate law departments. In 1971, after completing a successful search for in-house counsel at Caesars World, she recommended "special counsel" for Caesars' newly constituted Board. Soon thereafter  Wendeen became a special advisor to the Board on legal affairs management. Innovation is part of Wendeen's DNA.

In 1984, Wendeen founded the National Association of Legal Search Consultants. She was elected its first president and chairman of the board of directors. During her term in office, she completed her two primary objectives; ratification of a Code of Ethics and the first educational conference for the industry.

In 1989, The New York Times profiled Wendeen in a feature story that described her as a woman with the"ties that bind" the legal fraternity. Like many businesses in the early 90s, EOLIS International Group's attorney search  business felt the slap of a recession. She saw an opportunity to expand her company's career transition services for the most ambitious lawyers in the profession.

A longtime confidante and career advisor to Rudy Giuliani, Wendeen also found her voice in the maelstrom of  politics. She began another one-of-a-kind career transition practice for lawyers on the two-way street of private practice and public service.

Public Servant

Wendeen was introduced to politics and government by her stepfather, a high-level New York State official for decades. In 1975, while President of the Association of Personnel Services of New York (State), Wendeen lobbied state legislators to overhaul outdated law that governed "placement" fees. She was awarded a New York Senate Citation, for her contribution to the modernization of the applicable law.

In 1978 she met Rudy Giuliani and over the next 15 years was a confidante, career advisor, political consultant, and member of his inner circle. During his first year as Mayor, she was a key advisor on the reorganization plan for the City's law department, and handled sticky wicket communications and personnel issues.

In 1995, George Pataki taped Wendeen to become his first assistant and senior advisor. During her tenure in the office of the governor, Eolis continued to build relationships in the public sector, not only with city officials and state legislators, but also with high level government officials in Washington, DC.  Following the events of 9/11, a long-time client and friend, Dick Parsons, to Secretary of State, General Colin Powell, which led to her role in the government's post 9/11 initiative, Hope's Champion Task Force. Her position as commander of HCTF has put her at the helm of vetting teams responsible for recommending special counsel in the aftermath of terrorist incidents and other related assignments in the United States and overseas.

Advocate for Lawyers on Public Company Boards

In 2006, Wendeen founded EOLIS Institute for Leadership as part of a plan to advocate for lawyers seeking roles beyond private legal practice.  She rolled out a niche in her attorney career transition services (ACTS) to connect lawyers with her experience as a consultant to public company boards of directors. Wendeen's specialty in recommending for public company board service is a singular niche and an innovation that has drawn the attention of business and boardroom media outlets, including Bloomberg Law, the New York Times, and BoardroomIntelligence.com.

Wendeen has proven herself as a pioneer, an innovator, and a leader, in her multi-faceted career and she is well-known for necessary energy to keep innovations rolling that work.

Journalist and Public Speaker

Wendeen's extensive writings appear under the banner of Wendeen EOLIS Enterprises:  legal/business affairs, and gaming/poker matters. The author of Power Poker Dame, a compendium of her poker articles, and People Reading Secrets, a prescriptive manual, Wendeen's upcoming writing project is a "comical chronicle" of lessons learned in business, politics, and card rooms from characters that represent all walks of life.

Her speaking engagements include keynotes and motivational seminars tied to the mix of her experience with an emphasis on negotiation and decision strategies.

Community Leader

Wendeen has served as a board member at New Yorkers for Children (BOD), and WNYC, as a member of the NYU Law School Dean's Advisory Council, and as a participant in PENCIL's Principal for a Day program, including a 30th anniversary visit to the High School for Law, Advocacy, and Community Justice.