Public Policy Forums

The mission of the Immigration Forum is to educate the WERC on immigration policies important to workforce mobility and, as appropriate, to develop and present the position of WERC to influence that policy. Pursuant to the WERC “Business Immigration Policy Position Statement,” the ability of employers to move employees to different countries is the backbone of international talent mobility. Immigration policy is therefore a critical component of WERC public policy priorities.  Members of our Immigration Forum represent a wide spectrum of multinational companies, start-ups, and leading legal and consultancy firms and include nationally recognized experts in areas of immigration law, policy, and mobility management. 

Leadership: 

• Chair: Ann Truett, Fragomen  
• Vice-Chair: Kelli Duehning, BAL
• Past-Chairs: Azmina Aboobaker, Meta, Jurga McCluskey, Deloitte - UK

A critical component of the successful relocation of employees involves moving from one home to another home and often includes the sale and/or purchase of personal property. Home sales are complicated transactions which are more complex when dealing with transferees and potentially employers and relocation management companies. The objective of the North American Real Estate and Mortgage Forum is to determine those aspects of real estate transactions important to workforce mobility and educate the WERC membership on real estate related issues, compliance and tax issues related to mortgage lending and the conveyancing of real property and, when appropriate, develop and present the position of WERC to influence real estate policies. 

Leadership: 

• Co-Chairs: Patrick McManamy, McManamy McLeod Heller, LLC , Cathleen Podell
• Vice-Chair: Kevin Felder, Felder & Co. Realtors
• Past-Chair: Jay Hershman, Baillie & Hershman 

The relocation of employees around the world requires an awareness of the myriad of laws, regulations, and requirements of the various countries in which WERC members operate. Understanding the legal and regulatory regimes of various governments is a critical component of a compliant mobility program. Employers, relocation management companies, and direct delivery providers all comprise a sophisticated system to ensure employees and their families along with their personal goods are properly relocated while adhering to local, national and international laws and standards. The objective of the WERC Compliance Forum is to (i) inform our stakeholders of key current legal and regulatory issues which impact workforce mobility and (ii) engage in initiatives and educational actions to support the WERC membership on compliance matters. 

Leadership: 

• Chair: Walter Dannemiller III, Dwellworks 
• Past-Chair: Jeff Margolis, SIRVA  

Domestic and global deployment of employees, whether on assignment or by relocation, subject an individual and their employer to a myriad of varying tax codes and tax policies. These codes and policies can be an important determination of where companies locate operations as they both have a legal and financial impact to the employer as well as on the transferee’s/assignee’s related tax obligations. The objective of the Tax Forum is to monitor and educate the membership on the significant tax law and regulation changes of particular relevance to talent mobility, and, as appropriate, influence tax policy specific to relocation through active support of advocacy efforts. 

Leadership: 

• Chair: Jennifer Stein, Global Tax Network (GTN) 
• Vice Chair: Sheryll Young, Vialto Partners 
• Past-Chair: Craig Anderson, AECC Mobility