About DPE
The Department for Professional Employees (DPE) is a coalition of 24 national unions representing over four million professional and technical employees. DPE was founded in 1977 by a forward looking group of labor leaders who recognized the rapid growth of professionals and the necessity for those professionals to have a place in the labor movement. As professionals continue to be the fastest growing sector of the labor movement, DPE’s work and expertise is more valuable than ever.
DPE unions represent professionals in nearly all occupations and sectors, including teachers, physicians, engineers, computer scientists, psychologists, nurses, university professors, actors, technicians, and others in more than 200 professional occupations. DPE facilitates collaboration among professionals in these diverse occupations and provides assistance in order to strengthen individual unions and help build a stronger more effective labor movement.
The breadth of resources DPE provides is regularly expanding as affiliates look to DPE to refine and improve their programs and resources. DPE’s insights into the professional and technical workforce are derived from independent research and close relationships with our affiliates who share their knowledge and expertise.
DPE Officers and General Vice Presidents
Chair of the General Board
Fedrick Ingram
Secretary-Treasurer
American Federation of Teachers
President
Jennifer Dorning
President
Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO
First Vice President
Duncan Crabtree-Ireland
National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator
Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
Treasurer
Matt Biggs
President
International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers
General Vice Presidents
Roxanne Brown
International Vice President at Large
United Steelworkers
Pamela Greenwalt
Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
Everett Kelley
National President
American Federation of Government Employees
Tyler McIntosh
Political/Legislative Director
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees
Brandon Nessen
Organizing Director
Office and Professional Employees International Union
Ken Shirk
International Secretary-Treasurer
American Federation of Musicians
James Slevin
National President
Utility Workers Union of America
Alvin Vincent, Jr.
Executive Director
Actors’ Equity Association
Sam Wheeler
Executive Director
Writers Guild of America East
DPE President’s Message
DPE is the leading voice for the diverse array of professionals in the labor movement. DPE was created by visionary labor leaders who recognized the potential for growth in both the professional workforce and professionals in unions. Unions representing professionals sought their own trade department to foster collaboration and ensure professionals had a voice in the labor movement and, in 1977, DPE was chartered.
More than forty years later, DPE remains a vital resource for unions representing and organizing professionals. Professionals are the fastest growing sector in the U.S. workforce and the labor movement. DPE’s expertise makes it an indispensable resource for research, organizing, policy and legislation, and communications. DPE’s facilitation of collaboration among affiliates remains a foundational component of our work.
DPE works with affiliates to reach the 50 million nonunion professionals in the United States in innovative ways. DPE’s work is making it possible for its affiliates to launch low-cost campaigns to generate organizing leads and develop the messages necessary to organize professionals.
I am honored to lead this thriving, forward-thinking coalition. Together, we strengthen our unions, grow our movement, and improve the lives of professionals.
— Jennifer Dorning