| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, February 21, 2008 |
Margaret Wynne Named Director of ACF’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced this week the appointment of Margaret Wynne as director of the newly formed Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division within the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). In this capacity, Wynne will direct the certification of, and services to, victims of human trafficking. She will also oversee ACF’s collaboration with other federal government agencies on policy issues related to anti-trafficking measures.
“Maggie’s career has been dedicated to helping the most vulnerable among us,” said Daniel Schneider, acting assistant secretary for ACF. “Her policy expertise and passion will strengthen our campaign to end human trafficking.”
Wynne comes to ACF from HHS’ Office of Global Health Affairs, where she served as special assistant to the director and played a vital role in the federal government’s efforts to combat AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.
She also previously worked in the U.S. House of Representatives where she monitored legislation and congressional activities and played a key role in the “Unborn Victims of Violence Act” which was signed into law as “Laci and Conner’s Law.”
ACF’s anti-trafficking implementation activities were previously performed by a team of ORR staff. The creation of an official Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division will further enhance the success of the work already accomplished and help coordinate HHS’ anti-trafficking activities with other agencies and organizations.
“We are very happy to have Maggie joining us in this capacity. She knows the federal government very well and will be a true asset to our efforts to assist the victims of this modern-day form of slavery,” said Brent Orrell, acting director of ORR.
Wynne holds a master’s degree from the Pontifical Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, in Washington, DC and a bachelor’s degree from Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula, California.For more information on ACF’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Program, please visit: http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/programs/anti_trafficking.htm
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Note: All ACF news releases, fact sheets and other materials are available at www.acf.hhs.gov/opa/index.html.