WASHINGTON, D.C. — Three executive team members have started their new roles at the National Immigration Forum since the first of the year as the organization’s leadership expands.
Jeanne Atkinson, a longtime immigration attorney and the former Executive Director of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), is the Forum’s new Vice President and Chief Program Officer. Emily Foster, who has more than 20 years of experience working in immigration and government affairs for Fortune 500 companies — and since October 2020 has led and grown the Forum’s business engagement and worksite inclusion portfolio — is the Forum’s new Vice President and Chief of Public Affairs. Catalina Talero brings experience from her 20-year career as a nonprofit leader in community development and philanthropy to the role of Vice President and Chief of Advancement.
“I am excited and grateful to expand our leadership team,” said Jennie Murray, President and CEO of the National Immigration Forum. “I look forward to working alongside Jeanne, Emily and Catalina in these roles. With their talent and support and that of our stalwart Vice President and Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, Dawn Byrne, the organization will continue to uplift the value of immigrant and refugee voices, while simultaneously pushing for humane and sensible immigration policies and programs.”
“Having partnered with the Forum in the past, I am inspired by its mission and excited to join its dedicated and passionate staff,” Atkinson said. “Now more than ever, it is vital that we collaborate with a wide variety of groups to grow integration programs nationally and locally and encourage immigration policies that recognize that immigrants make our communities and our country stronger.”
“The strength of the Forum is our ability to convene stakeholders across the political spectrum to coalesce on needed reforms to modernize our antiquated immigration system, protect the dignity of migrants and support a more prosperous, flourishing America,” Foster said. “I am excited for this greater leadership role working with the Forum’s talented policy and communications teams to continue this balanced approach, where all voices feel heard.”
“I believe in being a bridge between folks on the frontlines of change and those with the resources to support them,” Talero said. “It’s an honor to be here, working alongside such stellar colleagues, to build that bridge together.”