Jeanne Atkinson

As Vice President & Chief Program Officer, Jeanne Atkinson works with Forum staff to strengthen communities and U.S. companies by building the skills and bolstering the career pathways of immigrant workers, while making the case through their constituents that they need to reform their immigration policies to better serve immigrants, the communities, and the country.

A longtime immigration attorney, she was the Executive Director of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network or CLINIC from 2013 – 2019. While at CLINIC, Ms. Atkinson participated in delegations to southern Mexico, Central America, and Haiti to speak with government officials and examine conditions that lead people from the region to migrate. With key partners, she oversaw the creation and development of the CARA Family Detention Pro Bono Representation Project and the Committee for Immigration Reform Implementation. Prior to CLINIC, Ms. Atkinson served as the Director of Catholic Charities’ Immigration Legal Services program and the Refugee Center for the Archdiocese of Washington. She co-founded Catholics for Family Peace Education and Research Initiative and serves on its Board of Advisors. She also serves on the boards of the International Catholic Migration Commission, Inc. and US Catholic Sisters Against Human Trafficking.