| December 22, 2025
WASHINGTON — Today, Advancing American Freedom (AAF) announced the addition of three senior Heritage Foundation leaders, who previously led the legal, economic, and data teams at The Heritage Foundation. John Malcolm, Richard Stern, and Kevin Dayaratna, PhD, along with members of their teams, will be joining AAF and leading unprecedented growth for the rising organization into 2026. AAF has raised more than eight figures to support these new projects.
John Malcolm recently served as Vice President, Institute for Constitutional Government, Director of Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, and Ed and Sherry Gilbertson Senior Legal Fellow at The Heritage Foundation. Malcolm will found the new Edwin Meese III Institute for the Rule of Law at AAF.
Richard Stern previously served as Acting Director, Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies and Director, Grover M. Hermann Center for the Federal Budget at The Heritage Foundation. Stern will lead the Plymouth Institute for Free Enterprise at AAF.
Kevin Dayaratna, PhD recently served as Director, Center for Data Analysis and Chief Statistician at The Heritage Foundation. Dr. Dayaratna will be be building out the Center for Statistical Modeling & Scientific Analysis at AAF.
V.P. Mike Pence, Founder of Advancing American Freedom, released the following statement: “AAF is honored to welcome these principled conservative scholars to the team. They bring a wealth of experience, a love of country, and a deep commitment to the Constitution and Conservative Movement that will further the cause of liberty.”
Advancing American Freedom President Tim Chapman stated: “AAF is building a team of principled conservatives who will fight for America’s future. Today’s additions supercharge AAF’s capacity to fight for free markets, limited government, and the rule of law.
Our newest leaders are eminently respected scholars and will shape the future of the Conservative Movement through their work at AAF.”
Former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese III stated the following, “I am proud to announce Advancing American Freedom as the home for the new Edwin Meese III Institute for the Rule of Law. AAF has already established itself as a leader in the conservative movement.
I am confident that the lawyers and staff in the Meese Institute will continue to play a leading role in advancing the conservative legal movement in terms of their scholarship, and by working with allies to achieve our mutual objectives, educating the general public about important legal issues, helping to train the next generation of conservative lawyers, and defending the Constitution and rule of law.”
The following Heritage Foundation staffers will also be joining AAF:
Tom Jipping will join The Edwin Meese III Institute for the Rule of Law as a Senior Legal Fellow.
Paul Larkin will join The Edwin Meese III Institute for the Rule of Law as a Senior Legal Fellow.
Amy Swearer will join The Edwin Meese III Institute for the Rule of Law as a Senior Legal Fellow.
Jessica Reinsch will join The Edwin Meese III Institute for the Rule of Law as a Director of Programs.
Jenna Hageman will join The Edwin Meese III Institute for the Rule of Law as a Program Associate.
Meaghen McManus will join The Edwin Meese III Institute for the Rule of Law as a Program Associate
David Burton will join the Plymouth Institute for Free Enterprise as a Senior Research Fellow.
Rachel Greszler will join the Plymouth Institute for Free Enterprise as a Senior Research Fellow.
Preston Brashers will join the Plymouth Institute for Free Enterprise as a Research Fellow.
John Peluso will join the Plymouth Institute for Free Enterprise as a Policy Analyst.
Additional staff announcements will be coming soon.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jonah Wendt
Communications Director
Advancing American Freedom
Jonah@advancingamericanfreedom.com
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