PATRICIA FORKAN
SENIOR ENVOY/EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Patricia Forkan The HSUS' senior envoy to the Obama Administration. Her efforts include coordinating The HSUS' 100-point "Change Agenda for Animals."
Forkan is a member of the Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee, working closely with the U.S. Trade Representative and the Environmental Protection Agency advising them on the environmental provisions of free trade agreement and World Trade Organization negotiations.
One of Forkan's specific areas of expertise is the protection of marine mammals, particularly whales and dolphins. Under her leadership, The HSUS and other organizations achieved a moratorium on commercial whaling and the creation of the dolphin-safe tuna label. She represents HSI and The HSUS at the annual International Whaling Commission meetings and has also served as a member of the U.S. delegation to the IWC.
Forkan has also been instrumental in the passage of many laws affecting animals in the U.S., including the Humane Slaughter Act, the Wild Horse and Burro Act, and amendments to the Animal Welfare Act.
In the years she has been with The HSUS, Forkan has developed and overseen many programs and departments, including video, public relations, government affairs, disaster and state legislation. She served as an executive vice president for 12 years and served as senior vice president for External Affairs, International and president of Humane Society International. In that capacity, Forkan focused on international policy affecting animals, especially marine mammals, farm animals, and endangered animals.
Forkan received a bachelor's degree in political science from Pennsylvania State University in 1966. She has done graduate work at American University in political science and attended a special course for executives in non-profit management at Harvard University. She has been listed in Who's Who in American Women and Who's Who in America.
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