Public Service - Civic Responsibility
PUBLIC SERVICE AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
Taking frequent side steps into the political maelstrom and government affairs, Wendeen has served as a civilian commander of Hope's Champion Task Force (HCTF), a post 9/11 initiative to vet special counsel for the US government and its allies in the aftermath of catastrophic events and tasked with legal talent evaluations for top-level government appointments. Wendeen continues to take on special assignments.
In political circles on both sides of the aisle, Wendeen has always been known as an independent thinker. While working as a special advisor to Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Wendeen met George Pataki. During the summer of the 1994 gubernatorial campaign, she became an intermediary between the two men and then moved on to become the senior advisor and first assistant to Governor Pataki.
Wendeen's public service with the Mayor and Governor led to her meeting Secretary of State Colin Powell and the founding of HCTF. On both the domestic and international level, Wendeen’s public service work has included advising a wide range of top officials in five Presidential administrations, as well as assisting more than 20 foreign and overseas governments in the selection of special counsels.
Wendeen has served as civilian commander of Hope's Champion Task Force (HCTF) for twenty years. A post 9/11 initiative to vet special counsel for the US government and its allies in the aftermath of catastrophic events and tasked with legal talent evaluations for top-level government appointments, Wendeen continues to take on special assignments.
In political circles on both sides of the aisle, Wendeen has always been known as an independent thinker. While a special advisor to Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Wendeen met George Pataki. During the summer of the 1994 gubernatorial campaign, she became an intermediary between the two men and then moved on to become senior advisor and first assistant to Governor Pataki.
Wendeen's work with the Mayor and Governor led to her meeting Secretary of State Colin Powell and the founding of HCTF. Wendeen has advised a wide range of top officials on both sides of the aisle and has proven herself devoted to public service and important civic , and charitable initiatives for more than fifty years.
Stepping Up as a Public Servant
Wendeen's interest in public service dates back to the sixties with a mission during President Richard Nixon's administration to assist "Vietnam Crisis" widows. In the 70s, while president of the Association of Personnel Consultants of NY, she worked with the NYS Senate on the drafting and passage of an overhauled statute that addressed employment and recruiting fees.
Later that decade, Wendeen went on to met Rudy Giuliani, becoming a confidante and career advisor to him. In the late-80s, she was a member of Giuliani's informal “kitchen cabinet” during his early mayoral campaigns and then as a key outside advisor after his election.
After becoming acquainted with George Pataki, Wendeen served as an intermediary between Pataki and Giuliani in the lead-up to the NYS gubernatorial election in 1994. Following his election, Wendeen joined Governor Pataki's administration as First Assistant and Senior Advisor which led to a meeting with Secretary of State, Colin Powell, and the Founding of Hope's Champion Task Force, ("HCTF").
HCTF was established as a post-9/11 initiative designed to assist the United States and international government agencies in vetting lawyers and law firms for "special counsel" roles, in the aftermath of catastrophic events. HCTF's portfolio has been expanded to include vetting lawyers and law firms for high-level government appointments, and other special assignments.
Today, Wendeen holds "senior status" as a civilian task force commander. She has proven herself as a devoted public servant for more than fifty years.
Hope's Champion, Center Stage
Hope's Champion Task Force was the outcome of the example set by Wendeen's step-father, a highly placed New York State official, with more than three decades of public service. Wendeen's Dad and Governor Pataki toasted her decision to take the lead for shaping the HCTF mission--a team of professionals around the world vetting counsel needs in the aftermath of catastrophic events. EOLIS companies provide significant pro-bono manpower for HCTF mandates.
Wendeen Works Both Sides of the Aisle
Long before Wendeen joined David Axelrod and Karl Rove at a Special Event in New York in 2017, she had crossed paths with both of them on vetting projects during the Presidential administration of George W. Bush and President Barack Obama.
Wendeen has served five presidential administrations as a non-partisan and cherishes her encounters with hard-working public servants before, during, and after their terms in office.