Deputy Chief Freedom of Information Act Officer
Catrina Pavlik-Keenan was appointed as the Deputy Chief FOIA Officer (DCFO) for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on July 4, 2021, after serving in an acting capacity since November 2020 while on detail from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In this role, she oversees DHS’s FOIA program, which processed over half a million public access requests in Fiscal Year 2022, and is responsible for strategic planning and the development of Department-level disclosure policies.
Ms. Pavlik-Keenan brings decades of experience in disclosure, records and data management, and information governance. At ICE, she served as the Acting Deputy Assistant Director for Information Governance and Privacy, managing a portfolio that included privacy, FOIA, records, and data management. She was ICE’s FOIA Officer from December 2006 to June 2018 and previously served as the FOIA Director for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) from 2004 to 2006. Her FOIA career began with 12 years of service at the Department of Transportation.
Recognized as a pioneer in her field, Ms. Pavlik-Keenan has implemented innovative processes and leveraged advanced technologies to enhance FOIA and Privacy Act operations. She has modernized FOIA processing solutions, revitalized training programs for DHS employees, and advocated for FOIA operations with stakeholders on Capitol Hill.
In 2023, Ms. Pavlik-Keenan, a DHS plank holder, was featured in the “DHS at 20: Who We Are” video, which highlighted her contributions to the Department’s legacy of excellence. She has received numerous accolades, including the DHS Secretary’s 2022 Team Excellence Award, and serves as an active member of the Federal FOIA Advisory Committee.
Through her dedication to public service and significant contributions to the DHS FOIA program, Ms. Pavlik-Keenan has established herself as a leader in information governance and disclosure.