Veterans Affairs Whistleblower | Paula Pedene

Theresa Carpenter Speakers | Women of the Military
09/29/2023 2:14pm 4 minute read

Theresa Carpenter welcomes the audience to the 23rd episode of the "Stories of Service" podcast after a brief hiatus. She introduces her guest, Paula Pedene, a nationally recognized public affairs strategist, Veterans Affairs whistleblower, and author of the book "A Sacred Duty." Paula's book tells the true story of her experiences as a visually impaired Navy veteran who faced retaliation after exposing mismanagement and harassment at a Veterans Affairs hospital.

Despite facing numerous challenges, Paula fought back and played a central role in exposing a conspiracy that led to significant changes within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Theresa expresses her admiration for Paula and mentions how they met at a previous event. She also highlights Paula's background in public affairs and public relations, starting in the Navy as a broadcast journalist before transitioning to public affairs at the VA.

Paula shares her journey from serving in the Navy to working in public affairs, including her time at the Phoenix VA and the positive changes she implemented in the public relations program. However, Paula's troubles began when new leadership took over, leading to a hostile work environment and attempts to silence her. Paula started documenting incidents and eventually blew the whistle on the misconduct. Despite facing challenges, Paula remained determined and continued to fight for justice.

Meet Our Guest: Paula Pedene

Paula is a nationally recognized public affairs strategist, Veterans Affairs whistleblower, and author. Her book, "A Sacred Duty," tells the true story of her experiences as a visually impaired Navy veteran who faced retaliation after exposing mismanagement and harassment at a Veterans Affairs hospital. Paula's journey from serving in the Navy to working in public affairs is highlighted, along with her positive impact on the public relations program at the Phoenix VA. Despite facing challenges, Paula remained determined and fought for justice.

🔑 Key Takeaways

✅ Champion for Change: Paula's resilience led her to play a pivotal role in uncovering a conspiracy that instigated significant reforms within the Department of Veterans Affairs.

✅ Paula's Career Journey: Paula discusses her journey from her Navy service to her work in public affairs, including her time at the Phoenix VA. She highlights the positive changes she made in the public relations program.

✅ Hostile Work Environment: Paula faced challenges when new leadership took over, resulting in a hostile work environment and attempts to silence her.

✅ Whistleblowing: To address the misconduct, Paula began documenting incidents and ultimately blew the whistle on the issues she observed.

✅ Determination: Despite the numerous challenges she faced, Paula's unwavering determination and commitment to justice remained constant throughout her journey.

Discussion Points

Visual Impairment and Service: Paula's unique experience as a visually impaired Navy veteran adds a layer of complexity and adversity to her story. How did this visual impairment shape her experience in the Navy and later in the VA? How might it have affected her resolve and perspective when confronting the challenges she faced

Public Relations and Advocacy: Given Paula's background in public affairs and PR, how did this expertise equip her to navigate the challenges at the Phoenix VA? In what ways did her skills as a broadcast journalist and in public relations help her in her whistleblowing efforts and in promoting change within the VA?

The Role of Documentation: Paula's decision to document incidents played a crucial role in her whistleblowing journey. What are the ethical implications and challenges of documenting workplace misconduct? How can others in similar situations benefit from her approach?

The Psychological Toll and Resilience: Whistleblowing, especially in large institutions, can be incredibly stressful and isolating. What psychological and emotional challenges might Paula have faced during this time? How did she maintain her determination and will to fight for justice? What support systems were crucial for her during this period?