Planned Parenthood Votes Names Adair Dammann as New Director of Public Policy

 SEATTLE – Today, Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii (PPVNH) welcomed Adair Dammann as the new Director of Public Policy for the four-state region, headquartered in Seattle. Dammann comes to PPVNH with more than three decades of experience, including a 30-year career at SEIU. In her most recent role at SEIU 925, Dammann served as Secretary Treasurer of a labor union with 17,000 members, while simultaneously managing political and lobbying operations. Her experience covers grassroots lobbying at state, local and federal levels on issues related to education, health care and public finance.

“Adair is joining one of the strongest political forces in the region and we know she will help push our public policy work even farther,” said Elaine Rose, CEO of PPVNH. “Adair comes to us with an extensive background in public policy, management and politics and brings a passion and commitment to social justice including reproductive and sexual health and rights.”

Dammann, is a graduate of Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts in social studies. She also holds a Master of Public Administration with a focus on health finance from the Harvard Kennedy School. In 2016, Dammann volunteered with Give a Heart to Africa where she taught English as a second language in Moshi, Tanzania. Dammann has mobilized tens of thousands of workers and their families into political action to elect or un-elect their representatives, and advocated for workers and their families in several state houses. As Director of Public Policy, Dammann will play an essential role in articulating the importance of protecting women's health and safety under an Administration determined to block access to reproductive health care at Planned Parenthood. With the stakes so high, Dammann will be a guiding force, working with coalition partners, policymakers and others to ensure that reproductive rights and health are protected.

“I am honored to be selected as the Director of Public Policy for this incredible organization,” said Dammann. “I have spent my career working on health care and improving the health and well-being of people, and supporting health equity and access to care. I’m thrilled to be able to serve in this capacity on behalf of Planned Parenthood.”

Planned Parenthood affiliates across Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho and Washington serve more than 121,000 patients each year with critical reproductive and sexual health care – such as cancer screenings, birth control, STI testing and treatment and wellness exams. More than half of Planned Parenthood health centers are in rural or medically underserved areas, meaning that without this care, many patients would have nowhere else to turn.