Meet New 1995 Society Inductee, Conner Drigotas!
Meet New 1995 Society Inductee, Conner Drigotas!
Conner Drigotas is a husband, father, and mission-focused leader dedicated to empowering every individual to pursue their own version of happiness. A peace and consent advocate, he believes deeply in the Principle of Human Respect and in building a world where optimism and collaboration drive meaningful progress.
Passionate about moral philosophy, capitalism, and ikigai, Conner explores how individuals and businesses can advance moral practices, create shared value, and harness their power to improve lives and communities. Known as the teammate you want in your corner, he shows up by choice—with a smile and a solutions-oriented mindset.
What moment or opportunity in your life played the most significant part in getting you to where you are today?
Meeting and marrying my wife, Danielle, is the most significant event contributing to me reaching where I am today and feeling confident that tomorrow will be even better. I am blessed to have an incredible partner who has enabled so many wonderful adventures in my life.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve overcome in your career so far?
The biggest challenge in my career has been transitioning into full-time work in the liberty movement. Coming from retail logistics and B2B sales, shifting careers to something I genuinely love required a leap of faith. I am grateful for Inside Investigator, You Are The Power, and various projects of the Foundation for Harmony and Prosperity for investing in a better future and empowering me to support their missions.
What piece of work or accomplishment are you most proud of?
Created mid-COVID when I was also teaching in the Lehigh College of Business as an adjunct, this lecture-length “Defense of Capitalism” was built on an award-winning 10-minute version to clarify some key points for myself and synthesize the most important underlying realities in a way I thought others would enjoy.
In your words, what motivates your belief in freedom?
I’m an optimist and a realist, which has led me to a belief in economic and personal freedom. Free exchange between consenting individuals is the most effective way to achieve human flourishing sustainably, and it’s consistent with reality (rather than creating friction). I want to see healthy, happy kids, greater wealth, increasing Value, and respect for each person’s ongoing affirmative consent. For every person who wants more happiness, harmony, and prosperity, freedom is the only path forward.
What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing America today?
You should be safe saying no to someone else’s version of happiness, but under the current legal system, you’re not. Americans need courage to practice civil disobedience, refuse to participate in the initiation of violence, and speak up against the lawful diminishing of wealth by force or fraud.
What is the next big goal or project you’re working on? How can the AF community help?
I’m building an anti-corruption infrastructure through investigative journalism and grassroots advocacy (different projects). We need investment in high-quality information to call out bad actors, and infrastructure to hold people accountable when they initiate violence or diminish wealth by force or fraud.
Your time, treasure, and/or introduction to people who can help Inside Investigator and You Are The Power (among others) grow will help ensure liberty has the needed elbow room, away from advocates of dependence and subjugation.
If you are an AF Lead Fellow, Go! Fellow, or someone with other relevant skills, I want to speak with you about becoming a grassroots and organizational leader with the tools to push back against government corruption in your state.
What advice do you have for those who want to advance liberty and make a difference in our society?
Surrounding yourself with pro-freedom people is an attainable superpower. If you want to advance liberty and make a positive difference, move to New Hampshire.
The “Live Free or Die” state has the best quality of life and economic freedom, the least crime, and the lowest poverty rates. Free market ideas are embraced and celebrated, even in the statehouse. The cultural foundation for a more prosperous future already exists, and as an advocate for liberty, you’ll be welcomed with open arms.
What are some hobbies/side gigs/secret skills no one knows about?
Homesteading. My wife and I (along with our kids) raise meat rabbits, sheep, chickens, and garden to put food on the table. Neither of us came from a homesteading background, and more than 50% of our food comes from our land.
What are you watching/reading right now?
Re-reading The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. Set in an expansive universe, Sanderson’s epic collection of cosmere novels is among the best I’ve read.
What does winning this award mean to you?
When I got serious about working for liberty full-time, America’s Future was one of the organizations where I could see examples of success and passion for a better future. When the liberty movement has needed career development, networking, education, and community, AF staff and donors have consistently been willing to step in and help build people up to advance human freedom. It is an honor to win the 1995 Society Award and to contribute to furthering AF’s essential mission.