Paula Pedene was one of the first whistleblowers at the Phoenix VA.  In 2010 working with Dr. Sam Foote she disclosed mismanagement of fee basis funds and reported a hostile work environment to the Office of the Inspector General.  The charges were substantiated and both the director and associate director were forced to retire. 

In 2012 she was retaliated against for her whistleblowing activities when the new senior leaders discovered she was still in contact with Dr. Sam Foote.  She was taken out of her Public Affairs Officer role that she had served admirably for 18  years for an alleged computer infraction, and spent two years in the basement as a clerk in the VA library.  She appealed to the Office of Special Counsel for relief and won her whistleblower case against VA in 2014. 

She now works with the Department of Veterans Affairs Central Office as a Senior Communications Specialist and has established Pedene Public Relations to help her as she decides what to do next. 

Would she do it again if she could go back?  What is the PR professional's responsiblity when faced with possible ethical and legal issues in a company or organization?  Isn't the Whistleblower Act supposed to protect those who speak up? 

Join us for May's PRSA-LVVC "Lunch and Learn" to hear Ms. Pedene's story.