A History of Entrepreneurship

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 eagerly accepted the opportunity of a search project to secure "special counsel for Caesars' newly constituted Board. A relentless pioneer and innovator, Wendeen suggested to the Chairman that she conduct multiple law firm interviews and present her findings at a board meeting.

She scored a hat trick; a successful attorney search, an assignment to assist the Company with recommendations of special counsel for an esoteric matter, and a role in the boardroom. The result: Wendeen promptly launched a second business in "special counsel searches" and led the way in "law firm beauty contests."

NALSC Founder

In the mid-1980s, Wendeen founded the National Association of Legal Search Consultants. She invited competitors from around the country to a meeting at her home to establish an association to promote professionalism in the young industry and to encourage respect and networking opportunities among competitors. NALSC was established and Wendeen was elected its first president.

Her position as an industry leader and EOLIS International Group's searches for lateral partners and partner merger deals led to high visibility. So did her unlikely 1986 success in the main event of the World Series of Poker. In 1989, The New York Times published a feature story that described Wendeen as having the "ties that bind" the legal fraternity.

A Merger of Business, Politics and Poker

The early nineties were a bit different. Like many businesses, EOLIS International Group felt the slap of a recession. And Wendeen's feats at championship poker tournaments subsided. But, recovery was quick in business; dealmaking was back. She had another historical finish in the main event of the 1993 WSOP, and she found her voice in the maelstrom of New York City and New York State politics.

Wendeen was an advisor and confidante to Rudy Giuliani during his first year as Mayor. After differing with him on his political strategy, she became a discrete advisor to George Pataki, during his first gubernatorial campaign. He won and immediately appointed her first assistant and senior advisor to the Governor. She was the first woman to assume either of those titles in New York State history.

Networking Produces Unanticipated Opportunities 

Following her stint as an outside advisor at City Hall and her role as a high-level public official in State government, Wendeen returned to her business with vastly broadened relationships. At the turn of the century, she ramped up career transition services for JD-credentialed top achievers in legal practice, politics, government, and executive leadership. She also met Secretary of State, General Colin Powell. The introduction led to an unimaginable role in government affairs.

By 2010 Wendeen was not only busy with her legal talent consultancies but also in cultivating relationships in boardrooms. . She was also entrenched in government affairs which led her into corridors of national political power. Her expanded connections led her to roll out a new iteration of her business.  She combined her training as a certified executive consultant (C.E.C. and C.P.C.) with highly honed interviewing skills as a legal recruiter to establish a unique niche in boardroom advisory services for her two companies; searches, vetting assignments, and career transition services for lawyers, and non-lawyers at the top of their game. Wendeen brings to the table, credentials, expertise, experience, and the necessary energy to keep rolling out innovations that work.

Public Service Calls

Wendeen was introduced to politics and government by her stepfather, who served as a high-level New York State official, for decades. He held an annual party at her family's country home in Rhinebeck - down the hill from Anthony "Fat Tony" Salerno. Legislators and judges as well as fellow commissioners attended the parties. Wendeen remembered their names and the names of their children, who followed them!

In 1975, while President of the Association of Personnel Services of New York (State), Wendeen lobbied New York State legislators to overhaul the law that governed professional placement services, including an end to the prohibition against "recruitment." Wendeen was awarded a New York Senate Citation, for her contribution to the modernization of the law.

Wendeen met Rudy Giuliani in 1978 during one of her special counsel search assignments. She quickly became a confidante and a member of his inner circle when he pondered a run for the Senate in 1988. She was at his side during his first two campaigns for the New York City Mayoralty.

Following his election, in 1993, Wendeen was named to his transition team. She participated discretely, in his search for "squeaky clean" candidates for positions in his cabinet. Upon his taking office, Wendeen was an outside advisor with access to Rudy that was accorded to key insiders. She worked with the Mayor and other senior officials on various matters including reorganization of the law department, communications department challenges, and City Hall operations issues.

In late 1994, Wendeen and Rudy saw the world differently. They favored different gubernatorial candidates. Wendeen joined the administration of George E. Pataki, the newly elected Governor, as the first woman to be appointed first assistant and senior advisor ever in New York State history.  Before and since leaving the Pataki administration, Wendeen has served as an outside special advisor to local and state agencies and officials.

Following 9/11, Wendeen stepped up to the plate, becoming the Chief Operations Officer and Civilian Commander of Hope's Champion Task Force. Her position has put her at the helm of vetting teams responsible for recommending special counsel in the aftermath of terrorist incidents, natural disasters, and other special assignments.

Unlikely Route to Thought Leadership

EOLIS Institute for Leadership was created to propel the business Wendeen EOLIS Enterprises which specializes in executive leadership talent and boardroom advisory services. The Company's unique photo gallery reflects the breadth of Wendeen's encounters and relationships with an unexpected range of thought leaders over the years! Wendeen entertains as she teaches her business principles, perspective on politics, poker-playing gambits, and personal philosophy of discipline, desire, and determination, the foundation for her pursuit of excellence and material to her quest for perpetual Renaissance.

Writings

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.

Speaking Engagements

Her speaking engagements, which include keynotes, and motivational seminars were an outgrowth of media coverage of her success in international poker competitions. Through her unusual mix of negotiating experience in business, politics, and poker, she recognized the benefits of her verbal "people reading skills-" in all negotiations. . . She also discovered the concept of "negotiating DNA." She took to the speaker stage and the lecture circuit with original concepts relevant to leadership development.

Civic Affairs

Wendeen has served as a board member with not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions, including 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, among others. EOLIS's law student intern program (1969-present) earned a Citation from President Ronald Reagan, and the "Most Distinguished Achievement" Award conferred by the International Confederation of Personnel Services (now WEC in 1983). Wendeen also supports City Meals on Wheels and has served as a member of the Executive Committee for the Women's Power Lunch.

Beyond the Bar and the Boardroom

Beyond the Bar and the Boardroom, Wendeen's pursuit of a Renaissance life began early. At 15 she was a well-schooled concert-level classical pianist.  During college, she put her newly found table tennis game to the test - with spin and slam skills that yielded a silver trophy against Chinese competition. In her thirties, Wendeen returned to speaking more than passable French in Chef Paul Bocuse's kitchen. She persuaded him to teach her how to make his famous "soupe au truffe." In the next decade, she became the first woman to cash in the Main Event of the World Series of Poker - after 10 months of experience in the game. And she has pulled off 9 more record-setting performances for a woman in world-class poker competitions. To balance the aggressiveness of poker, Wendeen added dancing to her schedule. She is delighted to surrender the lead to her tango and salsa dance partners.  And, as she nears the biggest birthday of her life, Wendeen is putting a trip to French Polynesia front and center.

She continues to prove, invariably, that the best is yet to come!