Congrats to Our Newest Writing Fellows Program Grads!

Our Writing Fellowship is one of our longest-running programs, dedicated to training and developing young writers, helping them hone their voice and learn the ins and outs of effective writing, pitching, and communicating. The Fall 2024 cohort consisted of 36 young professionals from around the country.

Interested in joining our next Writing Fellows cohort? Sign up here to be notified when the applications open!

First off, our D.C.-based Fellows!

Alexander Anton

Alexander Anton, originally from the Chicagoland area, now calls Arlington, Virginia, home. He is an independent contractor specializing in tax data analysis and literature review, contributing to modeling the impacts of policy changes on federal budgets and tax law. His previous roles at Stand Together and the Mercatus Center at George Mason University focused on enhancing operational excellence across various programs and projects. Alexander holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University. Outside of work, he enjoys biking, strategy games, and exploring new destinations.

 

Rebekah Balick

Rebekah Balick lives in Alexandria, VA and is an analyst for Northrop Grumman international business, working specifically with the Australian and European areas of the business. She earned her bachelor’s degree in international relations and history from Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, MD. Rebekah has written for AEI’s Faith & Public Life blog, worked part-time as a researcher for the Charles Malik Institute, served as editor for two campus journals, and published essays, articles, and works of fiction on subjects ranging from the Russia-Ukraine war to religion. She also runs a small business for her fine artwork and is an avid traveler, reader, film lover, and hiker.

 

Daniel Chang Contreras

Daniel is a grassroots writer working at Stand Together, providing compelling communications capabilities to partner organizations with dozens of thousands of committed volunteers committed to the principles of freedom across America. Before that, Daniel was a contributor to Young Voices writing on American politics and foreign policy. Daniel is also a part of the Dissident Project, a group of speakers from authoritarian countries who tour high schools nationwide to warn young Americans about the dangers of socialism and government control. Since 2019 Daniel has been a part of Politks, a group of young political scientists dedicated to analyzing Venezuelan and Latin American politics to a younger audience. Daniel has undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Economics from the University of South Florida and a Masters in Political Communication from American University.

 

Luca Frumento

Mr. Luca Frumento is an Associate at Firehouse Strategies, a public affairs firm based in Washington, DC. At Firehouse Strategies, he executes public affairs campaigns for Fortune 100 companies, prominent trade associations, business coalitions, and nonprofits. Previously, Mr. Frumento was an Operations Assistant at Hudson Institute. He is an alumnus of Hudson Institute’s Political Studies Program, the Hertog Foundation’s “Summer Courses” and “Humanities at Hertog” programs, and the American Enterprise Institute Summer Honors Program, among other fellowships. Mr. Frumento graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from Clemson University, concentrating in classical political philosophy as a Lyceum Scholar.

 

Caleb Jasso

Caleb Jasso is a Policy & Digital Media Associate at the Institute for Energy Research where he assists with policy research and writing as well as digital media marketing & communications including social media and traditional outreach.  Caleb graduated from Pepperdine University with a Bachelor of Arts in history and a Master of Public Policy with specializations in international relations and national security and state and local policy.

 

Simon Laird

Simon Laird holds a master’s degree in economics from George Mason University.  He works as a policy analyst for the Conservative Political Action Conference.  He has written for Aporia, Liberty Magazine, and the Lexington Herald-Leader.

 

Connor Marley

Connor Marley is the Policy Manager for the Conservative Energy Network (CEN) where he works to advance conservative market-based clean energy solutions nationwide. Acting as the Network’s resident policy expert, Connor develops advocacy strategies, serves as a public-facing thought leader within the conservative clean energy community, and actively seeks innovative policy opportunities at federal, state, and local levels.

Prior to joining CEN, Connor served as an External Engagement Associate at the Mercatus Center. While there, he worked to facilitate productive collaboration between Mercatus scholars and policymakers.

Connor also served as Political Director of the Republican Party of Virginia where he liaised with campaigns to support campaign strategies and field programs. He also held the position of Deputy Director of Grassroots Operations for Americans for Prosperity Virginia where he lobbied legislators and trained grassroots volunteers and staff.

He resides in Alexandria, Virginia with his dog Roxy.

 

Ahmad Nazeri

Ahmad Nazeri is a Research Assistant at the Abundance Institute, focusing on technology policy while participating in the KAP fellowship with Stand Together. Originally from Tehran, Iran, he holds a Bachelor of Law and a Master’s in International Trade and Economic Law from the University of Tehran. After moving to the United States, Ahmad earned a Master of Public Administration from Southeast Missouri State University. He was selected for the Google Public Policy Fellowship, where he worked on AI and copyright law at the R Street Institute. Ahmad is a strong advocate for policies that prioritize individual freedom and negative liberties, particularly in the realm of technology. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Economics at George Mason University. Ahmad, his wife, and their dog Tito reside in Arlington, VA, where he continues to champion the principles of individual liberty in the digital age.

 

Bridget O’Neal

Bridget O’Neal currently serves as the Digital Media Coordinator for the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women, a non-profit dedicated to empowering young women to live  happier, freer lives and contribute to a stronger freer America. Previously, she worked in the Office of the President at Hillsdale College as an Associate Coordinator of Media Relations and Communications. In 2022, she graduated from Hillsdale College with a bachelor’s degree in politics.

 

Nicole Shekhovtsova

Nicole Shekhovtsova is a Legal and Policy Analyst with expertise in privacy, digital assets, and artificial intelligence regulation. She holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Privacy Law and Emerging Technology Regulation from The George Washington University Law School. She conducted comprehensive legal and policy research for the Tech Policy team at the Reason Foundation. Nicole is also a fellow of the Internet Law & Policy Foundry and freelance news reporter for the Daily Caller and the Western Journal.

Esther Wickham

Esther Wickham serves as a journalism program officer in the Center for Excellence at The Fund for American Studies. She is a two-time alumna of TFAS. She participated in the Journalism + Communications Program track of TFAS’s D.C. Summer Programs in 2022. During her first summer with TFAS, she interned at the Washington Examiner on the commentary and opinion desk. In the summer of 2023, Esther also attended the European Journalism Institute in Prague, co-sponsored by TFAS and The Media Project.

Esther is originally from Southern California. She graduated with honors from The King’s College in New York City with a major in journalism, culture and society and a pre-law minor where she served her student newspaper, The Empire State Tribune, as campus editor and managing editor of the Tribune’s magazine.

 

Charity Williamson

Charity Williamson is the events manager for the International Center for Law and Economics. She also serves as the American Conservation Coalition (ACC) Policy Director for the DMV chapter, as well as the State Director of the Capitalist League. Charity is a midwestern-expat, now living in the DC area.

Over the past decade, Charity has advocated for freedom and prosperity in America through a variety of roles including her recently launched Substack Crunchy Capitalism, where she compiles a weekly news roundup promoting free-market solutions to climate change.

 

Zoey Zhang

Zoey Zhang is a writer and aspiring research analyst with a specialization in foreign policy analysis, American history, and the internationalization of higher education. A recent graduate from
Georgetown University with a Bachelor’s degree in political economy, Zoey Zhang has worked as a research and editorial intern at the Cato Institute. Zoey is also a former policy research intern at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. Zoey is motivated to expand her writing to philosophy and political science and recently wrote on a case for existentialist libertarianism. Zoey has professional working proficiency in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Outside of writing, Zoey is a dedicated violinist inspired and motivated by the beauty of classical music every day.

Now meet our virtual Fellows!

Lee Becker

Lee Becker is a writer living in East Tennessee. He has been a freelance contributor to Twitchy.com, part of the Townhall Media network, and has been published in The Washington Examiner and The Federalist. He’s also active on Twitter under the user name @ingelramdecoucy

Lee Becker holds a bachelors in English from Allegheny College in Pennsylvania.

 

Bekah Bibb

Bekah Bibb is the communications manager at Philanthropy Roundtable. Prior to joining the Roundtable, Bekah was the community relations specialist for Rep. Richard Hudson (NC-08) where she oversaw community initiatives and cultivated relationships between the congressman, local officials and nonprofit organizations. Bekah has worked in communications and branding since 2015. She specializes in media relations, branding, public relations and strategic communications. Originally from Plattsburg, New York, Bekah graduated from Liberty University with a bachelor’s degree in public policy and a master’s degree in strategic communications.

 

Peter Biles

 

Tiffany Marie Brannon

A polymath, Tiffany Marie Brannon’s resume includes everything from being an award-winning radio news host and film critic to think tank academic and political strategist. Tiffany’s wide ranging work in journalism has encompassed entertainment, culture, politics and theology, to name a few. She was previously a GO! Fellow with AF, a Lincoln Fellow with the Claremont Institute, and an inaugural Civic Renewal Fellow with AEI. Tiffany has lectured on the loss of Classical Reason within Western education at Oxford as a C.S. Lewis scholar, is currently writing a series of children’s books, and hosts a podcast called “TMB Problems.” She holds an M.Litt from the University of St. Andrews in Theology, Imagination and the Arts, a Masters in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine University School of Law, and a B.A. in English Literature, Film Studies, and Studio Art from Pepperdine University..

 

Ellyn Briggs

Ellyn Briggs is a writer, reporter and researcher based in Columbus, Ohio. Her work and commentary are regularly featured by dozens of prominent outlets, including NBC News, Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Business Insider, Fast Company, Rolling Stone and The Hollywood Reporter. She is a graduate of American University and can be spotted walking her beagle pup, Tex, when she’s not working or playing women’s tackle football with the Columbus Chaos.

 

Leah Byers

Leah Byers is a staffer at the North Carolina General Assembly, working as a Research Assistant for the NC Senate Deputy President Pro Tempore. Previously, Leah worked for the John Locke Foundation, North Carolina’s state-based free market think tank. Leah also serves on the board of the Capital City Clauses nonprofit, which works to spread joy to children in the Raleigh area at Christmas. Leah earned her Masters of Public Administration degree from the University of Kentucky and Bachelors degrees from North Carolina State University in Political Science and Sociology. Leah is a native of western North Carolina and now resides in Raleigh with her golden retriever mix, Tucker.

 

Robert Clarke

Robert Clarke serves as the Director of Marketing Strategy for Foreign Policy & Constitutionally Limited Government at Stand Together, advancing the organization’s view of a realistic and restrained American foreign policy and prosperity at home. Previously, he worked with political and media figures such as John Stossel, Gov. Gary Johnson, and others. His commentary on U.S. foreign policy has appeared in The American Conservative, The National Interest, The Federalist, and the Financial Times. He is a proud native of Pennsylvania, but lives in the beautiful state of Virginia.

 

Katie Cook

 

Cait Dexter

Cait Dexter is a Grassroots Trainer with Americans for Prosperity, empowering leaders to make bottom-up change in their communities. Prior to joining AFP, she worked in external relations for the Foundation for Economic Education, considered the oldest free market think tank. Born and raised in Florida, the state of sunshine and freedom, Cait now advocates for similar economic liberties and educational opportunities across the country. Her work has been published in the Washington Examiner, RealClearEducation, and others. In her spare time she loves comedy, crafts, and trying to magically convert a balcony garden into a homestead.

 

Shelby Fleshwood

Shelby Fleshood serves as a Communications Associate for Nevada Policy Research Institute where he works to take the mystery out of Public Policy. There, Shelby creates resources for everyday Nevadans who want to become involved in pressing local issues. Previously, he has volunteered on multiple political campaigns and served on the board of the Nevada Open Government Coalition. He was an accomplished debater throughout his college careers and worked as a speech and debate coach to help introduce new speakers to the world of competitive persuasion. In his free time, Fleshood volunteers for his church’s local ministries and is an avid board gamer. He is a proud FSU Nole, holding an undergraduate degree from Florida State University. He currently lives in Roanoke, VA.

 

Ian Foster

Ian Foster grew up in the rural suburb of Smithville, north of Kansas City, MO. He graduated from the University of Missouri in 2023 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He has spent time working in a variety of industries, including medical device manufacturing, food and beverage, and non-profit organizations. Additionally, he’s part of the founding team on an early-stage defense startup and holds a provisional patent. As of the summer of 2024, Ian works full-time as an Ambassador for the Herzog Foundation which focuses on the advancement and flourishing of Christian education across the country. His responsibilities include executive outreach, guest hospitality, and database management. Ian likes to spend his free time reading, lifting weights, and traveling. He is driven by an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for business and innovation.

 

Shayna Fritz

Shayna Fritz is the Executive Director of the Ohio Conservative Energy Forum (OHCEF), where she focuses on government relations, political mobilization, coalition building, and legislative issue tracking. Shayna has extensive experience navigating the complexities of policy strategy, developing strong political and community networks, and advocating for conservative, market-based clean energy solutions. Before joining OHCEF, she held roles at the American Motorcyclist Association, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, and other organizations where she honed her skills in legislative analysis, public policy coordination, and stakeholder engagement. Shayna holds a B.A. in Political Science from The Ohio State University.

 

George Gemelas

George Gemelas is a double graduate of Yale University (BA, Master of Environmental Management), and an aspiring entrepreneur in the climate, government, and tech space. He serves as Chief Operating Officer of the Climate Solutions Fund, where he works to build and amplify on-the-ground coalitions of young leaders in support of market-based climate solutions. He is also a Forefront columnist at the Indianapolis Business Journal, providing opinion analysis on climate & energy, tech, and the future economy. He hails from Carmel, Indiana, and is the 2022-2024 Outstanding Fellow at the prestigious Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation.

 

Abby Lehnig

Abby works for California Policy Center, a nonpartisan political nonprofit, as the Kern Regional Director. As Kern Regional Director, Abby represents CPC in California’s Central Valley through education, outreach, and policy and legislation implementation. She has a master’s degree in Public Policy from Pepperdine University and bachelor’s degrees in Applied Mathematics and Spanish from Utah State University. Prior to joining California Policy Center, Abby worked at the City of Santa Monica, the Center for Growth and Opportunity, and the Embassy of Peru in Washington, DC. Abby grew up all over the country and the world in an active duty Air Force family and has lived in nine states and five countries.

 

Lyrah Margo

Lyrah Margo is the Intercollegiate Studies Fellow for The American Spectator. She graduated summa cum laude from Arizona Christian University where she studied political science, communications, and biblical studies. Lyrah founded her university’s first college newspaper and media club, Stronghold Media. She is a 2023 Liberty and Liberty Fellow with The Fund for American Studies. Lyrah recently married and enjoys life with her husband, who serves as a United States Marine.

 

Reid Newton

Reid Newton, 28, is an accomplished editor and legal analyst with a background in dance and a passion for culture, politics, and foreign policy. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with a minor in Business Administration from Fordham University and has furthered her education with a Global Business certification from Harvard Business School Online. Reid transitioned from a professional dance career to editorial and legal roles when the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered New York performance opportunities. She currently serves as Lead Editor at Ideas Beyond Borders and as a Legal Analyst and Substack Editor for the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism (FAIR). Reid has published work in The Hill, FAIR’s Substack, and other outlets. She frequently ghostwrites articles on behalf of prominent public figures for outlets such as The Washington Post, The Free Press, The Telegraph, and more.

 

Esteban Hernandez Ramos

Esteban Hernandez Ramos is a Venezuelan journalist based in the United States. He is currently the Editor-in-chief of the news outlet Contra Poder News and the host of the “Giro a la Derecha” podcast. He graduated from Florida International University with a major degree in Economics and a minor degree in Political Science. He also graduated from the European Journalism Institute offered at the Anglo-American University by The Fund for American Studies (TFAS). Esteban is often invited to participate as a political analyst to renowned media houses, both in English and Spanish, like The Epoch Times, America TeVe, Mega TV, Fox News, America Radio, We Are Change, TV Martí, and others.

 

Alex Rosado

Mr. Rosado is a Professional Programs Assistant at the Alexander Hamilton Society, managing foreign policy event programming and their alumni network. Mr. Rosado is also a Research Fellow for Horizon Info Consult and an External Relations Intern at Ballotpedia.

From Scarsdale, New York, Mr. Rosado served in various fellowships at the Hudson Institute, the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, and the Eisenhower Institute during his Gettysburg College career. Mr. Rosado graduated summa cum laude in May 2024 with a B.A. in Political Science and enjoys media and swimming in his spare time.

 

Dylan Sharkey

Dylan Sharkey is the Assistant Editor at the Illinois Policy Institute, focusing on the effects of policy decisions in everyday life. He shares his research through articles as well as short-form videos. Dylan graduated from the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s degree in political science and from Northwestern University with his master’s in public policy and administration.

 

Chloe Sparwath

 

Ethan Todd

Ethan Todd serves as the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at the Barklage Company and is the CEO of Bydand Research. With over a decade of experience, Ethan has been instrumental in supporting political campaigns, issue advocacy initiatives, caucuses, and corporations through political message development and research.

Ethan’s work has earned him notable recognition, including the St. Louis Business Journal 30 Under 30 award in 2019, graduation from the Focus St. Louis Emerging Leaders program, and being named one of the “50 Political Pros You Need to Know” by the Missouri Times.

He graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri with a B.A. in Political Science and currently resides in St. Louis, Missouri, with his family.

 

Paul J. Walsh

Paul J. Walsh is a banker focusing on media and entertainment. He is also a producer whose previous projects include San Francisco Independent Film Festival Favorite Échappé, American Ugly, Exorsisters, Beacon Hill, NYTVF Official Selection Detective Detective, and Brooklyn Web Fest nominee MyBnB. He lives in Manhattan and is a graduate of the Murphy Institute at Tulane University.