Janeen Wooden

USCIS

Janeen Wooden joined the Senior Executive Service on April 23, 2023, as the deputy associate director for the External Affairs Directorate (EXA). She had previously served as the acting deputy associate director from Jan. 20, 2021, to March 5, 2022. 

Wooden has served as the chief of staff for EXA since November 2017. Wooden also served as the chief of staff for the Office of Legislative Affairs from 2007 to 2017. Wooden was instrumental in the creation of EXA, which consolidated offices responsible for internal and external messaging under one directorate, allowing the agency to communicate with a consistent and unified voice. 

Wooden has devoted her career to developing and implementing management and oversight efficiencies in the federal government. She began her federal service in 1992 with legacy Immigration and Naturalization Service. Before joining USCIS, Wooden served as a congressional liaison specialist in the Office of Congressional Relations and a policy analyst in the Office of Policy at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

Wooden holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bowie State University.