Staff and Board

Cindy Cerquitella is executive director at America’s Future Foundation. Cindy has spent her career empowering champions of freedom across the globe by giving them the skills, support, guidance, and community they need to take the ideas of liberty and spread...more

Josh Evans is the writing program associate at America's Future Foundation, where he helps manage AFF's writing fellows program. Previously, he worked in digital marketing and media relations for TechFreedom and has interned and freelanced for several media outlets, with...more

Kristine Goffos is the director of marketing at America’s Future Foundation. Kristine earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Previously, she has served as deputy press secretary for U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley and...more

Mary McPherson has had the pleasure of fundraising for nonprofits for the last 12 years. Her former places of work include the Koch Associate Program, The Institute for Justice, and most recently the Heritage Foundation as their Membership Programs Manager....more

Jason Russell is the contributors editor at the Washington Examiner. Prior to that, he was a commentary writer at the Examiner for two years. He also worked as a research associate at the Manhattan Institute. Jason graduated from the University...more

Janene Schmitz is the operations coordinator at America's Future Foundation. Janene earned a bachelor's degree in economics from James Madison University. Previously, she worked at the Charles Koch Institute, ensuring that their educational program participants had opportunities to work at...more

Leah Whetstone serves as America’s Future Foundation’s Community Growth Manager. Leah has been involved with the AFF-DC Chapter since late 2016 and has served on the board in DC since March 2017. Outside of AFF, she runs a wardrobe consultation...more

Recognized by Politico as “an opposition research and policy ace,” Jeff Berkowitz is Founder and CEO of Delve, a competitive intelligence firm. He's served as Research Director at the Republican National Committee to help shape public opinion on issues including:...more

Chaz is one of the nation’s foremost experts regarding how NGO’s and influencers affect public policy. The company he founded and runs - Cc: External Affairs, Inc. – helps corporations, trade associations, public affairs firms and non-profits develop long-term partnerships...more

Carl Helstrom is Vice President of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Previously, he was Executive Director of the JM and Milbank Foundations. He has more than 30 years experience in charity and private foundation management, specializing...more

Richard N. Lorenc is the chief operating officer (COO) of the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE). FEE is making the ideas of liberty familiar and credible to the rising generation. As COO, Lorenc supports FEE's business unit leaders, supervises program...more

Kathleen O’Hearn is the director of policy advancement for State Policy Network. In this capacity she works alongside state-based think tank staff to identify key policy reforms, help craft innovative ideas to advance human flourishing, and connect coalition partners across...more

Roger Ream has devoted the past 24 years to The Fund for American Studies as executive vice president and president since 1998. In 2013, Roger also became president of the sister organization of TFAS, the Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE)....more

Daniel M. Rothschild is Executive Director of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. Prior to serving in this role at Mercatus, Mr. Rothschild was director of state projects and a senior fellow with the R Street Institute. He joined...more

John Tillman is one of the nation's most prominent leaders of a state-based think tank. As CEO of the Illinois Policy Institute, he has transformed what many wrote off as a blue state into a place ripe for free market...more