Patricia St. Clair

In this role, she provides leadership and guidance for the enforcement of federal civil rights laws, including Title VI, Title VII, Title VIII, and Title IX, ensuring compliance within USDA programs and employment practices.

With a distinguished career in law and public service, Ms. St. Clair is dedicated to upholding civil rights protections through rigorous enforcement, strategic policy implementation, and accountability measures. She works closely with USDA agencies to implement effective compliance and risk management strategies, ensuring that all program operations align with federal statutory and regulatory mandates. Ms. St. Clair engages directly with stakeholders to strengthen understanding and adherence to civil rights requirements, reinforcing USDA’s commitment to lawful and fair program administration. By leveraging data-driven monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, she ensures that USDA maintains the highest standards of integrity and public trust.

Prior to joining USDA in January 2025, Ms. St. Clair served as a Senior Executive at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), where she led the strategic development, outreach/communication and oversight of multiple high-impact civil rights programs. She directed the planning, design and coordination of key initiatives under Title VII, the Rehabilitation Act, ADEA, ADA, PWFA, and GINA across 55 field offices. Her portfolio included the EEOC Training Institute (Revolving Fund), External Partnerships and Engagement, Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, and Internal Program operations.

Ms. St. Clair, a graduate of Tulane Law School, is deeply committed to community service and volunteer work, dedicated to empowering individuals through education, advocacy, and fair opportunities. She is a proud member of the New York State Bar Association and the American Bar Association.