Commission Executive Committee Members
Ms. Pontisso began her 33-year career with the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 1979 and, at the time of her retirement in November, 2012, she had been working in the Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) managing the [Child] Access and Visitation Grant – a $10 million per year program authorized by Congress based on the goal of increasing noncustodial parents’ access to and visitation with their children. During her long tenure with HHS, she held various positions in the Administration on Aging, Office of Community Services (anti-poverty and community development programs), and Office of Refugee Resettlement.
She also served as Associate Director of the U.S. Commission on Child and Family Well-being (1994-1996) which involved holding public hearings throughout the country and preparing a Report to Congress and the President which contained recommendations for removing the obstacles to and increasing the involvement of fathers in the lives of their children
Ms. Pontisso also worked briefly with the U.S. Senate Committee on Aging as part of a rotational assignment related to her selection as a federal government Presidential Management Fellow. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California (1979) along with graduate studies in gerontology and a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Sociology from the University of Northern Colorado (1975).
Ms. Pontisso remains committed to further advocating the needs and best interests of fathers and families and has acquired a particular expertise in national policies affecting unwed parents and their children.
*Visiting Faculty Fellow – Status is approved and granted at the discretion of THE COMMISSION’s Board of Commissioners. Visiting Faculty Fellows are invited for short or long term appointments, they are very distinct from Commission Annual Fellows, in that they are autonomous in their service to THE COMMISSION. For example, Visiting Faculty Fellows can determine whether their contribution is in partnership with THE COMMISSION, under the jurisdiction of THE COMMISSION, or independent of THE COMMISSION, but clearly contributes to THE COMMISSION’s Mission, Vision, or Call for Advocacy. Those Visiting Fellows who propose Independent Projects must acknowledge their association with THE COMMISSION and how THE COMMISSION has helped to inform their work.