Public Service
Wendeen H. Eolis's introduction to politics and government dates back to her childhood. Her father hosted an annual poker party at their country home. He was a senior New York State official responsible for developing bipartisan support for executive chamber initiatives. She was six and not awed by meeting the governor, assembly speaker, or senate majority leader with whom her dad worked closely.
Following in his footsteps, Wendeen developed a wide range of political connections on both sides of the aisle early in her career. She found her way into state politics while the Chair of a statewide personnel trade association. She participated in drafting legislative reform applicable to placement fees. She has since served as a public official, a government advisor, an envoy, and a contracted consultant.
In each of her government affairs matters, Wendeen has acted as an independent thinker, especially on "hot potato" issues. As a special advisor to Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and as first assistant to Governor George Pataki, Wendeen had opportunities to interact with city, state, and federal legislators and government department heads. As a result of those connections, Wendeen has advised high-level government officials in six presidential administrations.
Since 2002, Wendeen has been the Commander and Chief Operating Officer of Hope's Champion Task Force, a post-9/11 initiative, focusing primarily on the need for special counsel in the aftermath of terrorist incidents, violent events, and natural disasters.
HCTF
Wendeen reacted to 9/11 as a doer. She immediately started a counseling program for lawyers displaced by the day's events. Following President George W. Bush's visit to New York City later that week, her longtime client and friend Dick Parsons connected her with Secretary of State, General Colin Powell to discuss how she might provide further help. He set her on the path that led to her positions as Chief Operating Officer and Civilian Commander of Hope's Champion Task Force.
At the helm of HCTF, since its inception, Wendeen has grown its due diligence team roster to include 1500+ professionals available to participate in vetting projects. As Commander of HCTF, Wendeen has been at the forefront of its missions to assist scores of US agencies and more than 20 foreign governments and agencies in hiring special counsel to address unique legal issues created against the backdrop of terrorism, violence, natural disasters and recovery initiatives. Wendeen has also been associated with law firm vetting teams. She looks upon this work as a labor of love and an extension of her career as a legal recruiter. She also has been a resource, called upon to assist law firms and other vetting teams in introducing suitable lawyers for high-level positions in the federal government. The HCTF team has brought to the table an imposing network of contacts for global vetting operations.
Twists and Turns in Government Affairs
Wendeen's interest in public service dates back to the late 60s with a mission during President Richard Nixon's administration to represent "Vietnam Crisis" widows, in a bid to obtain college funding for their children. Following her Association-based lobbying efforts in Albany, NY, her chance meeting with Rudy Giuliani led her into the maelstrom of New York City politics.
During her stint as first assistant to the Governor of New York, Wendeen learned about the threat of terrorism on US shores. The New York City Governor's Office was initially housed in the World Trade Center; a bomb had been detonated a year earlier. On 9/11 Wendeen recognized, quickly the basic needs of the day; feeding firefighters and directing traffic to reach them.
Early in 2002, Parsons' introduction of Wendeen to Powell yielded a handshake with the President and Powell invited her to persent a plan for identifying suitable counsel in the aftermath of the growing terrorist threats. Months later the government initiative behind Hope's Champion Task force began its long journey of identifying lawyers around the world to assist in the aftermath of catastrophic events. Eolis's personal assignments have also included the assessment of lawyers for high level appointments. Her public service spans more than 50 years.
Notable Influencers in Wendeen's Public Service Career
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 toasted her decision to work for the governor of New York. Shortly before his passing, he expressed pride in taking learning of her leadership of HCTF, especially her inclusion of law students and other resources of her business, to boost the manpower for HCTF mandates.
Wendeen Works in the Room Where it Happens
Long before Wendeen joined David Axelrod and Karl Rove at a special event in New York, she had crossed paths with them on vetting projects during the Presidential administrations of George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Wendeen's commitment to government affairs projects is rooted in the issues rather than the politics that surround them.