PPFA Welcomes New Vice President for Public Policy
For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2014
Experienced Leader a Valuable Addition to Team
Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new vice president for public policy, Stephenie Foster. Stephenie succeeds Susanne Martinez, who retired earlier this year.
"I am delighted to join Planned Parenthood," said Foster. "I share Planned Parenthood's commitment to women's health, privacy and access to reproductive health care. I am eager to help communicate our values to the public and advance our pro-choice, pro-prevention policies."
In this extraordinary time, with a Supreme Court vacancy, Foster will play an essential role in articulating the importance of the Supreme Court in protecting women's health and safety. With the stakes so high, Foster will be a guiding force, working with coalition partners, policymakers and others to ensure that women's health is protected.
Foster has an insider's knowledge of the legislative process. As chief of staff to Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and then to Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Foster was the principal strategist for legislative, outreach and political operations. She has also played key leadership roles in several presidential campaigns including Clinton/Gore 1996, in which she served as national director of women's outreach and coordinated coast-to-coast efforts to mobilize women voters. In 1999, President Clinton appointed her general counsel of the General Services Administration.
Between February 2001 and February 2003, Foster was director of public policy for one of PPFA's key coalition partners, People For the American Way. She led lobbying and advocacy initiatives on issues including judicial nominations, civil liberties, and the separation of church and state. More recently, she has engaged in advocacy and campaign training in the United States and overseas, working for a broad range of progressive groups including the Women's EDGE Coalition and the Policy Council on Afghan Women.
"Stephenie Foster brings more than a decade of experience in politics and policymaking," said PPFA Interim President Karen Pearl. "Her strong leadership will guide our efforts as we continue to protect women's health, privacy and reproductive freedom."
Foster has a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania, a master's degree from Cornell University, and an undergraduate degree from the University of California, Irvine. Prior to moving to Washington, DC, in 1993, she practiced law in San Francisco.