Catherine Read

Biographical Information
"Catherine spent over five years with the Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) as Director of its Washington office. Catherine provided overall strategic direction for CVT's advocacy and policy agenda in Washington DC. She worked on diverse issues including appropriations, refugee and asylum issues, US interrogation and detention policy, and accountability for torture. Prior to CVT, Catherine served as a Senior Government Affairs Specialist at the international law firm DLA Piper. In that capacity she developed and implemented legislative campaigns for domestic and international clients; provided insight and analysis on developments in Congress and the Executive Branch; and built extensive relationships with the Administration and Congress. Catherine also served as a Legislative Assistant in the UK Parliament for Dr. Jenny Tonge. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Politics from the University of Edinburgh (UK) and a Master of Arts Degree (with Honors) in International Relations from the University of Chicago. In 2011, Catherine was named by Washingtonian Magazine as one of their "40 Under 40" young lobbyists with the most influence in Washington."

Affiliations

 * Head of Advocacy for Crisis Action in Washington DC, Crisis Action