Americans United for Life is pleased to welcome Tom Shakely as its Chief Engagement Officer, responsible for brand, communications, and development operations. Tom formerly served as Executive Director of the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network in Philadelphia.
“Every human person deserves not only the full protection of the law, but also the full support of family, community, and culture in facing what might seem like impossible situations,” said AUL Chief Engagement Officer Tom Shakely. “I’m honored to join AUL, and proud to work with a dedicated, vibrant team to make abortion, euthanasia, and all attacks on human life not only unthinkable, but also wholly obviated by true, life-affirming choices. Americans have always been a pro-life people, which is why we recognized the right to life in our Declaration of Independence as the first among our self-evident and unalienable rights. Yet we deceive ourselves, thinking that legal or political endorsements of private violence and self-harm either legitimately resolve individual crises or constitute real care. As AUL approaches its 50th anniversary, it’s a privilege to help equip AUL for its next century of advocacy, service, and care for all vulnerable persons.”
At the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network, Tom branded its Crisis Lifeline and developed its services coming alongside and supporting patients and families facing denial of basic care. He is an experienced advocate and speaker on human dignity and bioethical issues, with a particular interest in breaking down partisan and factional barriers.
“I’m delighted to welcome Tom Shakely to Americans United for Life as our Chief Engagement Officer,” said AUL President & CEO Catherine Glenn Foster. “Tom bolsters AUL’s impactful team at a time when Americans are increasingly becoming aware of and embracing life-affirming law. Tom’s many years of experience and his thoughtful and creative instincts will help AUL better share our consequential mission and our profound impact in law and culture.”
Tom is a member of the American Society for Bioethics and Humanities; a life member of the Sons of the American Revolution; a member of the Knights of Columbus, Third Degree; a Leonine Forum fellow; and a Charlotte Lozier Institute guest contributor. Tom volunteers as a board member for the Pro-Life Union of Greater Philadelphia, and is a past member of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput’s Archdiocesan Pastoral Council in Philadelphia. Tom holds a B.A. in Political Science from the Pennsylvania State University and a Certificate with Distinction from the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Health Care Ethics, and has written for National Review Online, National Catholic Register, HuffPost, and other nationally recognized media outlets.
