MEET THE SFL TEAM



Students For Liberty’s success relies on its incredible team of students and alumni working together to advance the vision of a free academy and a free society. Check out the many individuals who help make Students For Liberty such a vibrant and active organization below. Click here to join the team.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS  |  THE BOARD OF ADVISORS  |    THE EXECUTIVE TEAM  |  THE SFL STAFF   
 
 

MEET THE SFL TEAM



Students For Liberty’s success relies on its incredible team of students and alumni working together to advance the vision of a free academy and a free society. Check out the many individuals who help make Students For Liberty such a vibrant and active organization below. Click here to join the team.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS  |  THE BOARD OF ADVISORS  |    THE SFL STAFF  
 
 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Comprised of SFL’s co-founders and other trusted guardians, Students For Liberty’s Board of Directors oversees the organization’s long-term strategy and legal obligations.

Alexander McCobin

Co-Founder

Alexander McCobin

Co-Founder

Bio: Alexander McCobin is co-founder and former president of Students For Liberty. Under his leadership, Students For Liberty grew into the largest libertarian student organization in the world with over 1,574 leaders trained in the 2015-16 school year and 1,916 active student groups. Previously, Alexander worked at the Cato Institute and ran another nonprofit organization that introduced high school debate programs to underserved youth in the greater Philadelphia area. Alexander also serves on the Board of Advisors of The Atlas Society and is an honorary board member of the Our America Initiative. Alexander received his B.A. in philosophy and economics at the University of Pennsylvania in 2008 and received his M.A. in philosophy at Georgetown University in 2014.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Ayn Rand, Robert Nozick, & F.A. Hayek

On Students For Liberty in: “This is the libertarian generation.  Whether it is the immense growth of Students For Liberty around the world, polling data showing young people as socially tolerant and fiscally responsible, or articles proclaiming the same point by The Economist, more and more evidence keeps mounting to back up this claim.  Students For Liberty has brought together more impressive young people who are dedicated to the ideas of liberty than anyone thought was possible when we started.  We are empowering the next generation of leaders of liberty to make a difference today, to build a freer world right now.”

[email protected]

Dan Grossman

Board Member

Dan Grossman

Board Member

Bio: Mr. Grossman spent his working career as the founder and owner of various private businesses. He was formerly the Chairman of the Foundation for Economic Education, Irvington, NY. He graduated from Miami University in Oxford, OH, with a degree in Economics, and from Columbia University in New York, NY with an MBA in finance. Mr. Grossman resides in Washington, D.C.

John Mackey

Board Member

John Mackey

Board Member

Bio: John Mackey, co-founder and co-CEO of Whole Foods Market, has led the natural and organic grocer as it has grown from a single store in Austin, Texas, founded in 1978, to an $11 billion Fortune 300 company, and a top U.S. supermarket with more than 340 stores and 70,000 Team Members worldwide.

While devoting his career to helping shoppers satisfy their lifestyle needs with high quality natural and organic foods, Mackey has also focused on building a more conscious way of doing business. For 15 consecutive years,FORTUNE magazine has included Whole Foods Market on its “100 Best Companies to Work For” list.

Mackey has been the visionary for many successful programs at the core of Whole Foods Market. He founded Whole Planet Foundation to help end poverty in developing nations; he launched the Local Producer Loan Program to help local farmers and food producers expand their businesses; he created the Global Animal Partnership to set standards for humane farm animal treatment; and he laid the foundation for the company’s Health Starts Here initiative, which encourages health and wellness among customers and Team Members.

He has been recognized for his work over the years by being named Ernst & Young’s “United States Entrepreneur of the Year,” Institutional Investor’s “Best CEO in America,” Barron’s “World’s Best CEO,” MarketWatch’s “CEO of the Year,” FORTUNE’s “Businessperson of the Year,” and Esquire’s “Most Inspiring CEO,” among many others.

A strong believer in free market principles, Mackey co-founded the Conscious Capitalism Movement to challenge business leaders to rethink why their organizations exist, and to acknowledge their roles in the interdependent global marketplace. He recently co-authored Conscious Capitalism, Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business to boldly defend and re-imagine capitalism while encouraging others to implement a way of doing business that is grounded in ethical consciousness.

In 2012, Mackey was named SFL’s Alumnus of the Year at the International Students For Liberty Conference in Washington, DC, where he spoke about conscious capitalism. Additionally, he was a contributor to SFL’s 2012 publication, After the Welfare State.

Katherine Mangu-Ward

Reason, Editor in Chief

Katherine Mangu-Ward

Reason, Editor in Chief

Katherine Mangu-Ward is editor in chief of Reason, the magazine of "free minds and free markets." A few of her more memorable cover stories include a defense of plastic bags, an argument for why you almost certainly shouldn’t vote, and a welcome to our new robot overlords.

She started as Reason intern in 2000 and has worked at The Weekly Standard and The New York Times.

Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Slate, and numerous other publications. She is a frequent commentator on radio and television networks such as National Public Radio, CNBC, C-SPAN, Fox Business, Fox News Channel, and MSNBC. She is a Future Tense Fellow at New America.

Liya Palagashvili

Assistant Professor of Economics, SUNY-Purchase College

Liya Palagashvili

Assistant Professor of Economics, SUNY-Purchase College

Bio: Liya Palagashvili is an Assistant Professor of Economics at the State University of New York-Purchase, a Senior Fellow with the Fraser Institute, and the Law & Economics Fellow with the Classical Liberal Institute at New York University School of Law. Liya earned her Ph.D. in Economics from George Mason University in 2015, and while in graduate school she was also a Visiting Ph.D. Fellow with the Department of Economics at New York University.

Liya has published over a dozen academic journal articles, policy papers, and book chapters and over two dozen popular opinion pieces in major media outlets such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and U.S. News and World Report, among others. Her research is in law and economics, political economy, development economics, and entrepreneurship. She has provided policy analysis and testimonials for such agencies as the White House's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. In 2016, Liya was named one of the Forbes ’30 under 30’ in Law & Policy.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Elinor Ostrom and F.A. Hayek

On Students For Liberty in: “I am very grateful that during my time as a student SFL had just emerged and it provided an incredible network, community, and a set of educational programs that helped me grow as a student and as an activist. Today I am thrilled to join the SFL Board of Directors and to support an organization that will continue to open up opportunities and shapes the journeys for so many students of liberty, just as it had done for me.”

Sam Eckman

Director

Sam Eckman

Director

Bio: Samuel Eckman is a co-founder and director of Students For Liberty. Samuel graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2008 with a B.S. in Economics and a B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science. In the summer of 2007, he worked in Washington, DC as a Koch Summer Fellow, and spent the next two years working as a Legal Research Aide for Senator Arlen Specter. Samuel recently received his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, where he was a member of the Federalist Society and Edmund Burke Society, and a Research Assistant to Professor Richard Epstein. He now works as an associate at the law offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in Los Angeles, California. He previously clerked for the Ninth Circuit Court of the U.S. Court of Appeals as well as the Supreme Court of the United States.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Robert Nozick, Richard Epstein, P.J. O’Rourke

On Students For Liberty in : “Students on too many campuses across the country have fallen under the misapprehension that the ideals of freedom and equality are best upheld by a collectivist politics that subjugates citizens to the government. Students For Liberty provides an important counterweight to this tradition, reclaiming the radical heritage of individual liberty and reaffirming the role of students at the forefront of the battle for the rights of the individual. By providing community and resources in a manner that upholds the autonomy of the groups we work with, Students For Liberty is helping young people across the United States and around the world to promote the values of liberty and freedom.”

Sloane Frost

Chairwoman & Director

Sloane Frost

Chairwoman & Director

Bio: Sloane Frost graduated from Cornell University in 2008 with a degree in Policy Analysis & Management and concentration in Health Policy. While studying the economics and history of health policy in this country, Sloane became interested in the principles of liberty and individual responsibility that seem to be missing from modern policy initiatives. After serving with City Year, an AmeriCorps program, Sloane saw firsthand the negative consequences of an intrusive government public education system. She returned to academia to earn a Masters in Public Policy and certificate in Health Administration and Policy at the University of Chicago in June 2011.

Various experiences in the university setting quickly taught Sloane that her fellow students are also deprived of many freedoms on campus, and she became dedicated to the student fight for liberty. In 2007, Sloane co-founded Students For Liberty and now serves as the Chairwoman of the SFL Board of Directors.

Sloane is currently a Senior Consultant for Strategic Solutions at Navigant Management Consulting. Before that, she worked as a research analyst at Mathematica Policy and interned at the Cato Institute.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Ayn Rand, Neal Boortz, Thomas Sowell, and Milton & Rose Friedman

On Students For Liberty in : “The idea for a liberty-oriented conference arose from a discussion between myself and Alexander where we realized the pervasive need for a student-driven, national network to support the student movement.Students For Liberty has therefore been very important to me since its inception, and I am excited to continue working for the cause.A network of students driven to improve academic freedom, activism, and understanding of liberty is essential to a complete education and its environment.With the growth of this organization, more students will hopefully find a way to freely discuss and explore their opinions in academic institutions.”

[email protected]

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Comprised of SFL’s co-founders and other trusted guardians, Students For Liberty’s Board of Directors oversees the organization’s long-term strategy and legal obligations.

Alexander McCobin

Co-Founder

Alexander McCobin

Co-Founder

Bio: Alexander McCobin is co-founder and former president of Students For Liberty. Under his leadership, Students For Liberty grew into the largest libertarian student organization in the world with over 1,574 leaders trained in the 2015-16 school year and 1,916 active student groups. Previously, Alexander worked at the Cato Institute and ran another nonprofit organization that introduced high school debate programs to underserved youth in the greater Philadelphia area. Alexander also serves on the Board of Advisors of The Atlas Society and is an honorary board member of the Our America Initiative. Alexander received his B.A. in philosophy and economics at the University of Pennsylvania in 2008 and received his M.A. in philosophy at Georgetown University in 2014.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Ayn Rand, Robert Nozick, & F.A. Hayek

On Students For Liberty in: “This is the libertarian generation.  Whether it is the immense growth of Students For Liberty around the world, polling data showing young people as socially tolerant and fiscally responsible, or articles proclaiming the same point by The Economist, more and more evidence keeps mounting to back up this claim.  Students For Liberty has brought together more impressive young people who are dedicated to the ideas of liberty than anyone thought was possible when we started.  We are empowering the next generation of leaders of liberty to make a difference today, to build a freer world right now.”

[email protected]

Dan Grossman

Board Member

Dan Grossman

Board Member

Bio: Mr. Grossman spent his working career as the founder and owner of various private businesses. He was formerly the Chairman of the Foundation for Economic Education, Irvington, NY. He graduated from Miami University in Oxford, OH, with a degree in Economics, and from Columbia University in New York, NY with an MBA in finance. Mr. Grossman resides in Washington, D.C.

John Mackey

Board Member

John Mackey

Board Member

Bio: John Mackey, co-founder and co-CEO of Whole Foods Market, has led the natural and organic grocer as it has grown from a single store in Austin, Texas, founded in 1978, to an $11 billion Fortune 300 company, and a top U.S. supermarket with more than 340 stores and 70,000 Team Members worldwide.

While devoting his career to helping shoppers satisfy their lifestyle needs with high quality natural and organic foods, Mackey has also focused on building a more conscious way of doing business. For 15 consecutive years,FORTUNE magazine has included Whole Foods Market on its “100 Best Companies to Work For” list.

Mackey has been the visionary for many successful programs at the core of Whole Foods Market. He founded Whole Planet Foundation to help end poverty in developing nations; he launched the Local Producer Loan Program to help local farmers and food producers expand their businesses; he created the Global Animal Partnership to set standards for humane farm animal treatment; and he laid the foundation for the company’s Health Starts Here initiative, which encourages health and wellness among customers and Team Members.

He has been recognized for his work over the years by being named Ernst & Young’s “United States Entrepreneur of the Year,” Institutional Investor’s “Best CEO in America,” Barron’s “World’s Best CEO,” MarketWatch’s “CEO of the Year,” FORTUNE’s “Businessperson of the Year,” and Esquire’s “Most Inspiring CEO,” among many others.

A strong believer in free market principles, Mackey co-founded the Conscious Capitalism Movement to challenge business leaders to rethink why their organizations exist, and to acknowledge their roles in the interdependent global marketplace. He recently co-authored Conscious Capitalism, Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business to boldly defend and re-imagine capitalism while encouraging others to implement a way of doing business that is grounded in ethical consciousness.

In 2012, Mackey was named SFL’s Alumnus of the Year at the International Students For Liberty Conference in Washington, DC, where he spoke about conscious capitalism. Additionally, he was a contributor to SFL’s 2012 publication, After the Welfare State.

Katherine Mangu-Ward

Reason, Editor in Chief

Katherine Mangu-Ward

Reason, Editor in Chief

Katherine Mangu-Ward is editor in chief of Reason, the magazine of "free minds and free markets." A few of her more memorable cover stories include a defense of plastic bags, an argument for why you almost certainly shouldn’t vote, and a welcome to our new robot overlords.

She started as Reason intern in 2000 and has worked at The Weekly Standard and The New York Times.

Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Slate, and numerous other publications. She is a frequent commentator on radio and television networks such as National Public Radio, CNBC, C-SPAN, Fox Business, Fox News Channel, and MSNBC. She is a Future Tense Fellow at New America.

Liya Palagashvili

Assistant Professor of Economics, SUNY-Purchase College

Liya Palagashvili

Assistant Professor of Economics, SUNY-Purchase College

Bio: Liya Palagashvili is an Assistant Professor of Economics at the State University of New York-Purchase, a Senior Fellow with the Fraser Institute, and the Law & Economics Fellow with the Classical Liberal Institute at New York University School of Law. Liya earned her Ph.D. in Economics from George Mason University in 2015, and while in graduate school she was also a Visiting Ph.D. Fellow with the Department of Economics at New York University.

Liya has published over a dozen academic journal articles, policy papers, and book chapters and over two dozen popular opinion pieces in major media outlets such as the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and U.S. News and World Report, among others. Her research is in law and economics, political economy, development economics, and entrepreneurship. She has provided policy analysis and testimonials for such agencies as the White House's Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. In 2016, Liya was named one of the Forbes ’30 under 30’ in Law & Policy.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Elinor Ostrom and F.A. Hayek

On Students For Liberty in: “I am very grateful that during my time as a student SFL had just emerged and it provided an incredible network, community, and a set of educational programs that helped me grow as a student and as an activist. Today I am thrilled to join the SFL Board of Directors and to support an organization that will continue to open up opportunities and shapes the journeys for so many students of liberty, just as it had done for me.”

Sam Eckman

Director

Sam Eckman

Director

Bio: Samuel Eckman is a co-founder and director of Students For Liberty. Samuel graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 2008 with a B.S. in Economics and a B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science. In the summer of 2007, he worked in Washington, DC as a Koch Summer Fellow, and spent the next two years working as a Legal Research Aide for Senator Arlen Specter. Samuel recently received his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School, where he was a member of the Federalist Society and Edmund Burke Society, and a Research Assistant to Professor Richard Epstein. He now works as an associate at the law offices of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in Los Angeles, California. He previously clerked for the Ninth Circuit Court of the U.S. Court of Appeals as well as the Supreme Court of the United States.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Robert Nozick, Richard Epstein, P.J. O’Rourke

On Students For Liberty in : “Students on too many campuses across the country have fallen under the misapprehension that the ideals of freedom and equality are best upheld by a collectivist politics that subjugates citizens to the government. Students For Liberty provides an important counterweight to this tradition, reclaiming the radical heritage of individual liberty and reaffirming the role of students at the forefront of the battle for the rights of the individual. By providing community and resources in a manner that upholds the autonomy of the groups we work with, Students For Liberty is helping young people across the United States and around the world to promote the values of liberty and freedom.”

Sloane Frost

Chairwoman & Director

Sloane Frost

Chairwoman & Director

Bio: Sloane Frost graduated from Cornell University in 2008 with a degree in Policy Analysis & Management and concentration in Health Policy. While studying the economics and history of health policy in this country, Sloane became interested in the principles of liberty and individual responsibility that seem to be missing from modern policy initiatives. After serving with City Year, an AmeriCorps program, Sloane saw firsthand the negative consequences of an intrusive government public education system. She returned to academia to earn a Masters in Public Policy and certificate in Health Administration and Policy at the University of Chicago in June 2011.

Various experiences in the university setting quickly taught Sloane that her fellow students are also deprived of many freedoms on campus, and she became dedicated to the student fight for liberty. In 2007, Sloane co-founded Students For Liberty and now serves as the Chairwoman of the SFL Board of Directors.

Sloane is currently a Senior Consultant for Strategic Solutions at Navigant Management Consulting. Before that, she worked as a research analyst at Mathematica Policy and interned at the Cato Institute.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Ayn Rand, Neal Boortz, Thomas Sowell, and Milton & Rose Friedman

On Students For Liberty in : “The idea for a liberty-oriented conference arose from a discussion between myself and Alexander where we realized the pervasive need for a student-driven, national network to support the student movement.Students For Liberty has therefore been very important to me since its inception, and I am excited to continue working for the cause.A network of students driven to improve academic freedom, activism, and understanding of liberty is essential to a complete education and its environment.With the growth of this organization, more students will hopefully find a way to freely discuss and explore their opinions in academic institutions.”

[email protected]

THE BOARD OF ADVISORS

Comprised of celebrated business leaders, academics, and thought leaders, SFL’s Board of Advisors serves as a wealth of knowledge for SFL’s leadership to turn to for consulting.

Dale Bottoms

Advisor

Dale Bottoms

Advisor

Bio: Dale Bottoms has been a libertarian since his college days. He has worked in the road construction materials and freight forwarding industries and more recently has managed corporate and individual investment portfolios using low cost methods.  He is an active member of the Boglehead community of investors.  Dale speaks Spanish and has enjoyed a lot of travel in Latin America. He wants to see a freer world, and he is especially interested in seeing more liberty in all of the Americas. Dale received a B.A. in economics from U.C. Berkeley.

Daniel J. Hannan

Advisor

Daniel J. Hannan

Advisor

Bio: Daniel J. Hannan is a British journalist, author, and Conservative Member of the European Parliament (MEP), representing South East England. He is also the Secretary-General of the Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists.  In the European Parliament, he led the campaign for a referendum on the European Constitution. He was also the first Member to write in detail about the allowances and expenses available in Brussels.

In March of 2009, a YouTube clip of his speech to Gordon Brown in the European Parliament attracted 1.4 million hits within 72 hours, making the online video the most watched political clip in British history.  Hannan was educated at Marlborough and Oriel College, Oxford. He worked as a speechwriter for William Hague and Michael Howard. He speaks French and Spanish fluently, and is married with two young children.

David Boaz

Advisor

David Boaz

Advisor

Bio: David Boaz is the executive vice president of the Cato Institute and has played a key role in the development of the Cato Institute and the libertarian movement. He is a provocative commentator and a leading authority on domestic issues such as education choice, drug legalization, the growth of government, and the rise of libertarianism. Boaz is the former editor of New Guard magazine and was executive director of the Council for a Competitive Economy prior to joining Cato in 1981. He is the author of Libertarianism: A Primer, described by the Los Angeles Times as “a well-researched manifesto of libertarian ideas,” the editor of The Libertarian Reader, and coeditor of the Cato Handbook For Policymakers. His articles have been published in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, National Review, and Slate. He is a frequent guest on national television and radio shows, and has appeared on ABC’s Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, CNN’s Crossfire, NPR’s Talk of the Nation and All Things Considered, John McLaughlin’s One on One, Fox News Channel, BBC, Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and other media. His latest book is The Politics of Freedom.

Dr. Eugene Volokh

Advisor

Dr. Eugene Volokh

Advisor

Bio: Dr. Volokh teaches free speech law, criminal law, tort law, religious freedom law, and church-state relations law at UCLA School of Law, where he has also often taught copyright law and a seminar on firearms regulation policy. Before coming to UCLA, he clerked for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor on the U.S. Supreme Court and for Judge Alex Kozinski on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Volokh is the author of the textbooks The First Amendment and Related Statutes (4th ed. 2011), The Religion Clauses and Related Statutes (2005), and Academic Legal Writing (4th ed. 2010), as well as over 70 law review articles and over 80 op-eds.  He is a member of The American Law Institute, a member of the American Heritage Dictionary Usage Panel, and the founder and coauthor of The Volokh Conspiracy, a Weblog that gets about 20,000 visits per weekday. He is among the five most cited under-45 faculty members listed in the Top 25 Law Faculties in Scholarly Impact, 2005-2009 study, and among the forty most cited faculty members on that list without regard to age. These citation counts refer to citations in law review articles, but his works have also been cited by courts. Six of his law review articles have been cited by opinions of the Supreme Court Justices; twenty-one of his works (mostly articles but also a textbook, an op-ed, and a blog post) have been cited by federal circuit courts; and several others have been cited by district courts or state courts.

Volokh is also an Academic Affiliate for the Mayer Brown LLP law firm; he generally consults on other lawyers’ cases, but he has briefed and argued Ingram v. Battaglia / Rush v. Frank before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and State v. Drahota before the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Volokh worked for 12 years as a computer programmer, and is still partner in a small software company which sells HP 3000 software that he wrote. He graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in math-computer science at age 15, and has written many articles on computer software. Volokh was born in the USSR; his family emigrated to the U.S. when he was seven years old.

Dr. George Ayittey

Advisor

Dr. George Ayittey

Advisor

Bio: Dr. Ayittey is a distinguished economist in residence at American University and founder and president of the Free Africa Foundation. His areas of expertise include economic development, the World Bank, IMF, and democratization of Africa.

Dr. Ayittey is the author of numerous op-eds for the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal. He writes columns for African-owned publications including The African Letter, African Continent News, Africa News Weekly, and African Forum.  His books include Africa in Chaos, Indigenous African Institutions,  Africa Unchained: The Blueprint for Africa Unchained, and Africa Betrayed for which won the 1992 H. L. Mencken Award for Best Book.Dr. Ayittey has appeared on several television and radio news shows including ABC’s Nightline and CNN’s Crossfire as well as programs on National Public Radio, and the BBC World Service. He has also lectured across the United States, Europe, and Africa. He has testified several times before U.S. congressional committees about the third world debt crisis, foreign aid to Africa, apartheid in South Africa, the World Bank, and debt forgiveness. In addition, Dr. Ayittey has served as a consultant to several organizations including the World Bank, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the International Council on Metals and the Environment (ICME).
Professor Ayittey holds a BS from the University of Ghana, a MA from the University of Western Ontario, and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Manitoba.

Dr. Ayittey will be named Students For Liberty’s Alumnus of the Year at the 2014 International Students For Liberty Conference and will serve as the conference’s opening keynote on Friday, February 14th.

Dr. James W. Lark III

Advisor

Dr. James W. Lark III

Advisor

Bio: James W. Lark, III is a professor in the Department of Systems and Information Engineering and the Applied Mathematics program in the Department of Engineering and Society at the University of Virginia. He has also served as a professor in the Department of Statistics and the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. In addition, he has served as Assistant to the Athletics Director for Special Projects at the University of Virginia.

He has served as a visiting scholar in the Department of Mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley and the Department of Mathematics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In addition, he has served as a visiting scholar at the Center for the Study of Public Choice at Virginia Tech and at the Center for Research in Government Policy and Business at the University of Rochester.

His current research projects include risk analysis in financial markets, collective decision making processes, applications of Markov decision processes, and operator theory. His solution procedure for finite-horizon partially observed Markov decision processes is known in the research literature as the “Lark algorithm” (or “Lark filtering algorithm”).

Dr. Lark serves as the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Advocates for Self-Government. He is the secretary of the Board of Directors of the International Society for Individual Liberty. He is a member of the Board of Advisors of the Freedom and Entrepreneurship Foundation (Fundacja Wolnosci I Przedsiebiorczosci) in Poland.

He is a member of the (United States) Libertarian Party’s national committee, and served as the Libertarian Party’s national chairman during the 2000-2002 term.

Dr. Jo Kwong

Advisor

Dr. Jo Kwong

Advisor

Bio: Jo Kwong serves as director of economic opportunity programs at The Philanthropy Roundtable.

Prior to joining the Roundtable, Jo worked at the Institute for Humane Studies, the Capital Research Center, and the Property and Environment Research Center, where she frequently combined explorations of philanthropy and markets. Some of her publications in this field include “Philanthropy and Environmentalism” (Capital Research Center, 1987), “Corporate Donors Embrace Free-Market Environmentalism” (Wall Street Journal, 1988); “Environmental Giving Sourcebook for Trust Officers: A Private Property Rights/Free Enterprise Approach” (Institute for Humane Studies, 1988); and Protecting the Environment: Old Rhetoric, New Imperatives (Capital Research Center, 1990), which examined the role of funders in the development of the environmental movement. Jo was also an early contributor to The Philanthropy Roundtable’s magazine, Philanthropy, with the 1993 article, “Creating Eco-Kids.”

Through her work at the Atlas Economic Research Foundation from 1990 to 2010, Jo developed a network of public policy think tanks around the world that embrace individual responsibility and opportunity. As Atlas’s vice president of institute relations, she advised and counseled think tank leaders in nonprofit development, organization, and management.

Jo received her Ph.D. in natural resource economics from the University of Michigan and her Sc.B. in biology from Brown University.

Dr. Nigel Ashford

Advisor

Dr. Nigel Ashford

Advisor

Bio: Nigel Ashford is senior program officer at the Institute for Humane Studies. He joined IHS from the United Kingdom where he was professor of politics and Jean Monnet Scholar in European Integration at Staffordshire University, England. Dr. Ashford has also directed the Principles for a Free Society Project at the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation in Sweden, and was a Bradley Resident Scholar at the Heritage Foundation and Visiting Scholar at the Social and Philosophy Policy Center in Bowling Green. He is a recipient of the International Anthony Fisher Trust Prize for published work which strengthens public understanding of the political economy of the free society.

Dr. Ashford was also Chairman of the American Politics Group of the United Kingdom. He has lectured in 16 countries. He is author of Principles for a Free Society (Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation, 1999, 2003), which is available in six languages. He is co-author of US Politics Today (Manchester University Press, 1999); Public Policy and the Impact of the New Right (St. Martin’s Press, 1994) and A Dictionary of Conservative and Libertarian Thought (Routledge, 1991), and numerous articles on how ideas influence US politics.

Dr. Ashford is a frequent lecturer at SFL events.

Dr. Tom G. Palmer

Advisor

Dr. Tom G. Palmer

Advisor

Bio: Dr. Tom G. Palmer is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, and director of Cato University, the Institute’s educational arm. Palmer is also the executive vice president for international programs at the Atlas Economic Research Foundation, and is responsible for establishing operating programs in 14 languages and managing programs for a worldwide network of think tanks. Before joining Cato he was an H. B. Earhart Fellow at Hertford College, Oxford University, and a vice president of the Institute for Humane Studies at George Mason University.

He frequently lectures in North America, Europe, Eurasia, Africa, Latin America, India, China and throughout Asia, and the Middle East on political science, public choice, civil society, and the moral, legal, and historical foundations of individual rights. He has published reviews and articles on politics and morality in scholarly journals such as the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, Ethics, Critical Review, and Constitutional Political Economy, as well as in publications such as Slate, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Die Welt, Caixing, Al Hayat, the Washington Post, and The Spectator of London. He is the author of Realizing Freedom: Libertarian Theory, History, and Practice, published in 2009.

Palmer received his B.A. in liberal arts from St. Johns College in Annapolis, Maryland, his M.A. in philosophy from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., and his doctorate in politics from Oxford University.

Doctor Palmer is a tireless supporter of Students For Liberty, serving as an editor of SFL’s books which are co-published with the Atlas Network and include The Morality of Capitalism, After the Welfare State, and Why Liberty. Additionally, Dr. Palmer is a regular speaker at SFL events internationally.

Frayda Levy

Advisor

Frayda Levy

Advisor

Bio: Frayda Levy owned and managed a book distribution business for 18 years.  After selling her business, she co-founded Moving Picture Institute which promotes liberty through film.

Frayda is Chair of the Americans for Prosperity C(4).  (David Koch is chair of AFP Foundation C(3)).  She also co-founded the NJ Chapter of Americans for Prosperity – AFP.  AFP trains conservative grass roots activists on how to lobby their legislators. 

Mrs. Levy is a member of several Boards including, the Club For Growth, American Legislative Exchange Council, and Marijuana Policy Project. Mrs. Levy began her working career as Legislative Aide on Capital Hill and then in the Reagan Bush Administration. She holds an MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia and BA from the University of Connecticut.

Gabriel Calzada Alvarez

Advisor

Gabriel Calzada Alvarez

Advisor

Bio: Gabriel is president of UFM, the pioneering free-market university founded in 1971 in Guatemala. He is current president of the Association of Private Enterprise Education and board member of the Mont Pelerin Society and Rising Tide Foundation. In his native Spain, he was founding president of Juan de Mariana Institute, a think-tank that has gained international relevance for the impact of its innovative research and, two-time recipient of Atlas Network’s Templeton Freedom Award. His 2009 study on the negative impact of the Spanish government’s promotion of “green jobs” reverberated around the world. In Spain, subsidies in place since 1996 were reversed. The study—featured on Fox News, Glenn Beck, and John Stossel—along with Gabriel’s testimony before the U.S. Congress helped bury that initiative.  He holds a doctorate in economics from Rey Juan Carlos University in Spain, and has published over 1000 articles in national and international media. He has served as professor of economics at IE University and Rey Juan Carlos University. Gabriel also specializes in environmental and energy economics, the Austrian business cycle, and defense economics. He is passionate about cinematography and teaches a class in cinematographic language at UFM’s film school. He spends his weekends adventuring along the back roads of Guatemala with his wife Karen, three daughters, and two border collies.

Gov. Gary Johnson

Advisor

Gov. Gary Johnson

Advisor

Bio: Governor Gary Johnson, who has been referred to as the “most fiscally conservative Governor” in the country, was the Republican Governor of New Mexico from 1995 until 2003.

A successful businessman before running for office in 1994, Gov. Johnson started a door-to-door handyman business to help pay his way through college. Twenty years later, he had grown the firm into one of the largest construction companies in New Mexico with over 1,000 employees. Not surprisingly, Governor Johnson brings a distinctly business-like mentality to governing, believing that decisions should be made based on cost-benefit analysis rather than strict ideology.

Johnson is best known for his veto record, which includes over 750 vetoes during his time in office, more than all other governors combined and his use of the veto pen has since earned him the nickname “Governor Veto.” He cut taxes 14 times while never raising them. When he left office, New Mexico was one of only four states in the country with a balanced budget.

Term-limited, Johnson retired from public office in 2003. An avid skier, adventurer, and bicyclist, he has reached the highest peak on four of the seven continents, including Mt. Everest.

In 2009, after becoming increasingly concerned with the country’s out-of-control national debt and precarious financial situation, the Governor formed the OUR America Initiative, a 501c(4) non-profit that promotes fiscal responsibility, civil liberties, and rational public policy. He traveled to more than 30 states and spoke to over 150 conservative and libertarian groups during his time as Honorary Chairman.

He has two grown children- a daughter Seah and a son Erik and currently resides in a house he built himself in Taos, New Mexico.

In 2012, Gov. Johnson attended the International Students for Liberty Conference and appeared on the live taping of the Stossel program.

His Serene Highness Prince Michael of Liechtenstein

Advisor

His Serene Highness Prince Michael of Liechtenstein

Advisor

Bio: Prince Michael acquired a Master’s degree in Business Administration (Magister der Sozial und Wirtschaftswissenschaft) at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (Wirtschaftsuniversität). While finishing this degree he completed many periods of practical training with banks and manufacturing companies in the US, Canada, and Belgium. He worked in the international food industry with Nestlé from 1978 to 1987. In 1987 he returned to Liechtenstein as Managing Director of Industrie und Finanzkontor Etablissement, a leading financial services and trust company. He is now the Executive Chairman of Industrie und Finanzkontor Etablissement. In addition, he is a member of numerous professional organizations and engages with various free market think tanks within Europe.

In 2011, His Serene Highness spoke at the first annual European Students For Liberty Conference and has supported its growth ever since.

John Mackey

Board Member

John Mackey

Board Member

Bio: John Mackey, co-founder and co-CEO of Whole Foods Market, has led the natural and organic grocer as it has grown from a single store in Austin, Texas, founded in 1978, to an $11 billion Fortune 300 company, and a top U.S. supermarket with more than 340 stores and 70,000 Team Members worldwide.

While devoting his career to helping shoppers satisfy their lifestyle needs with high quality natural and organic foods, Mackey has also focused on building a more conscious way of doing business. For 15 consecutive years,FORTUNE magazine has included Whole Foods Market on its “100 Best Companies to Work For” list.

Mackey has been the visionary for many successful programs at the core of Whole Foods Market. He founded Whole Planet Foundation to help end poverty in developing nations; he launched the Local Producer Loan Program to help local farmers and food producers expand their businesses; he created the Global Animal Partnership to set standards for humane farm animal treatment; and he laid the foundation for the company’s Health Starts Here initiative, which encourages health and wellness among customers and Team Members.

He has been recognized for his work over the years by being named Ernst & Young’s “United States Entrepreneur of the Year,” Institutional Investor’s “Best CEO in America,” Barron’s “World’s Best CEO,” MarketWatch’s “CEO of the Year,” FORTUNE’s “Businessperson of the Year,” and Esquire’s “Most Inspiring CEO,” among many others.

A strong believer in free market principles, Mackey co-founded the Conscious Capitalism Movement to challenge business leaders to rethink why their organizations exist, and to acknowledge their roles in the interdependent global marketplace. He recently co-authored Conscious Capitalism, Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business to boldly defend and re-imagine capitalism while encouraging others to implement a way of doing business that is grounded in ethical consciousness.

In 2012, Mackey was named SFL’s Alumnus of the Year at the International Students For Liberty Conference in Washington, DC, where he spoke about conscious capitalism. Additionally, he was a contributor to SFL’s 2012 publication, After the Welfare State.

Lawrence Reed

Advisor

Lawrence Reed

Advisor

Bio: Larry Reed became president of FEE in 2008. Prior to that, he was a founder and president for twenty years of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy in Midland, Michigan. He also taught economics full-time and chaired the Department of Economics at Northwood University in Michigan from 1977 to 1984.

He holds a degree in economics from Grove City College (1975) and an M.A. in history from Slippery Rock State University (1978), both in Pennsylvania. He holds two honorary doctorates, one from Central Michigan University (Public Administration—1993) and Northwood University (Laws—2008).

A champion for liberty, Reed has authored over 1,000 newspaper columns and articles, dozens of articles in magazines and journals in the U. S. and abroad. His writings have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Detroit Newsand Detroit Free Press, among many others. He has authored or co-authored five books, the most recent ones being A Republic—If We Can Keep It and Striking the Root: Essays on Liberty. He is frequently interviewed on radio talk shows and has appeared as a guest on numerous television programs, including those anchored by Judge Andrew Napolitano and John Stossel on FOX Business News.

Reed has delivered at least 75 speeches annually in the past 30 years—in virtually every state and dozens of countries from Bulgaria to China to Bolivia. His best-known lectures include “Seven Principles of Sound Policy” and “Great Myths of the Great Depression”—both of which have been translated into more than a dozen languages and distributed worldwide.

Mr. Reed is a frequent keynote at SFL events around the country, and a regular speaker the International Students For Liberty Conference in Washington, D.C.

Linda Whetstone

Advisor

Linda Whetstone

Advisor

Bio: Linda Whetstone is Chairman of Network for a Free Society and a member of the boards of the Institute of Economic Affairs, Atlas Economic Research Foundation, Mont Pelerin Society, Istanbul Network for Liberty and British Dressage. She runs a small business in Sussex with her husband and writes on agricultural, trade, and development issues. She is also daughter of IEA founder, Sir Antony Fisher.

Michael Carnuccio

Advisor

Michael Carnuccio

Advisor

Michael Carnuccio (Oklahoma City) serves as President and CEO of the E Foundation for Oklahoma, a multi-million-dollar, vision-based, non-profit organization operating the donor-owner model of leveraged giving in public policy. In November of 2015, Michael launched the JTK Group, LLC, a strategic leadership firm that leverages assets for strategic results, where he provides strategic partnerships for capital generation and leadership coaching in the areas of fundraising, personal growth and team management.

In 2012, Michael founded the Liberty Foundation of America with two, matching $150,000 lead gifts and served in the capacity of President until 2016. After creating and hosting a weekly, Sunday morning discussion program that aired in the Oklahoma City media market, Michael helped launch MiddleGround Media Group, a nonprofit journalism enterprise that includes radio broadcast, online and investigative journalism.

Previously, Michael served as President of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs from 2010 through 2015. When Carnuccio began, OCPA was a >$900,000 organization with five employees; when he stepped down, the enterprise exceeded $6,000,000, housing multiple organizations and a campus that included the 7,000 sq. ft. Advance Center for Free Enterprise multi-purpose, event facility.

Michael is a member of Club 29 Rotary, the Downtown Club of Oklahoma City, SALLT and a RightOnCrime signatory. He currently serves on the national Board of Directors for both Operation Homefront and the Fairness Center; the Board of Directors for the E Foundation for Oklahoma, the Cavett Kids Foundation and the Oklahoma Scholarship Fund; and the Board of Trustees for the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. Michael received both his B.A. in Broadcast Journalism and M.A. in Political Science from Oklahoma State University, where he later served as adjunct faculty in the Department of Political Science. He lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with his wife, Kayla, and their children, Joseph, Thomas and Kathryn.

ACADEMIC PREPARATION:

M.A. in Political Science, Graduate Teaching Assistant, Oklahoma State University, 2005
Concentrations: International Relations & Comparative Politics
Creative Component: The Effectiveness of Language Manipulation on Policy Approval

B.A. in Broadcast Journalism, Oklahoma State University, School of Journalism and Broadcasting, 2002
Interests: Media Management & Agenda Setting

PUBLICATIONS:

Carnuccio, M., Dr. Jenswold, J., & Kenney M. (2004). “The United States and North Korea: Multilateralism and Security.” The Korean Journal of Public Policy, 15(6), 121-131.

Carnuccio, M. (2010, February) Take Heart, Conservatives: The People Are with Us. Perspective, pp. 14

Carnuccio, M. (2006, July 10).5th District: Getting it right. The Oklahoman, pp. 13A.

Carnuccio, M. (2005, June 3).Apathy aiding reform foes. The Oklahoman, pp. 15A.

Carnuccio, M. (2005, June 12).Why social security reform affects students - now. Tulsa World, pp. G1.

Carnuccio, M. (2012-2015). Free Market Friday. Syndicated: 27 markets. The Journal Record, pp. 6A.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE:

  • Board of Trustees; Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, Inc. (2016 - present)
  • National Board of Directors/Treasurer; Operation Homefront (2014-present)
  • Board of Trustees; The Liberty Foundation of America, Inc. (2013 - present)
  • Board of Directors; OCPA IMPACT (2010-2016), The Fairness Center (2013-present)
  • Founding Member; Friends of Roosevelt Steering Committee (2013)
  • Member; Rotary Club #29 (2011-present)
  • Member; Young President’s Club, The Heritage Foundation (2010-2015)
  • Member; The Downtown Club of Oklahoma City (2012-present)
  • Chairman; Taxation Study
[email protected]

Tyler Cowen

Advisor

Tyler Cowen

Advisor

Bio: Tyler Cowen is Holbert C. Harris Chair of Economics at George Mason University and serves as chairman and general director of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. With colleague Alex Tabarrok, Cowen is coauthor of the popular economics blog Marginal Revolution and co-founder of the online educational platform Marginal Revolution University.

A dedicated writer and communicator of economic ideas who has written extensively on the economics of culture, Cowen is the author of several books and is widely published in academic journals and the popular media. He writes the Economic Scene column for the New York Times, has contributed extensively to national publications such as the Wall Street Journal and Money, and serves on the on the advisory boards of both Wilson Quarterly and American Interest. He edited the volume Public Goods and Market Failures, and co-authored Explorations in the New Monetary Economics with Randall Kroszner. Other books include: Markets and Cultural Voices, In Praise of Commercial Culture, What Price Fame?, and Creative Destruction. His research has been published in the American Economic Review, Journal of Political Economy, Ethics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs.

In 2011, Bloomberg Businessweek profiled Cowen as “America’s Hottest Economist” after his e-book, The Great Stagnation, appeared twice on the New York Times e-book bestseller list. Columnist David Brooks declared it “the most debated nonfiction book so far this year.” Foreign Policy named Cowen as one of 2011’s “Top 100 Global Thinkers,” and an Economist survey counted him as one of the most influential economists of the last decade.

Cowen graduated from George Mason University with a BS in economics and received his PhD in economics from Harvard University.

Winston Ling

Advisor

Winston Ling

Advisor

Bio: Winston Ling is the co-founder of IEE and founder of the Instituto Liberdade (Brazil). He co-sponsored the first editions of The Virtue of Selfishness, The Fountainhead, and Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Randto be translated into Portuguese and was a member of the Advisory Board of The Templeton Freedom Awards Program (USA, 2004). He sponsored the publication of The China Lectures by Jose Stelle in English, Chinese, Thai and Russian. He also founded The Ouray Initiative For Reason and Individualism in Hong Kong in 2015. Currently, he is dedicated to introducing and popularizing Ayn Rand’s ideas in Brazil and in East and Southeast Asia.


THE BOARD OF ADVISORS

Comprised of celebrated business leaders, academics, and thought leaders, SFL’s Board of Advisors serves as a wealth of knowledge for SFL’s leadership to turn to for consulting.

Dale Bottoms

Advisor

Dale Bottoms

Advisor

Bio: Dale Bottoms has been a libertarian since his college days. He has worked in the road construction materials and freight forwarding industries and more recently has managed corporate and individual investment portfolios using low cost methods.  He is an active member of the Boglehead community of investors.  Dale speaks Spanish and has enjoyed a lot of travel in Latin America. He wants to see a freer world, and he is especially interested in seeing more liberty in all of the Americas. Dale received a B.A. in economics from U.C. Berkeley.

Daniel J. Hannan

Advisor

Daniel J. Hannan

Advisor

Bio: Daniel J. Hannan is a British journalist, author, and Conservative Member of the European Parliament (MEP), representing South East England. He is also the Secretary-General of the Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists.  In the European Parliament, he led the campaign for a referendum on the European Constitution. He was also the first Member to write in detail about the allowances and expenses available in Brussels.

In March of 2009, a YouTube clip of his speech to Gordon Brown in the European Parliament attracted 1.4 million hits within 72 hours, making the online video the most watched political clip in British history.  Hannan was educated at Marlborough and Oriel College, Oxford. He worked as a speechwriter for William Hague and Michael Howard. He speaks French and Spanish fluently, and is married with two young children.

David Boaz

Advisor

David Boaz

Advisor

Bio: David Boaz is the executive vice president of the Cato Institute and has played a key role in the development of the Cato Institute and the libertarian movement. He is a provocative commentator and a leading authority on domestic issues such as education choice, drug legalization, the growth of government, and the rise of libertarianism. Boaz is the former editor of New Guard magazine and was executive director of the Council for a Competitive Economy prior to joining Cato in 1981. He is the author of Libertarianism: A Primer, described by the Los Angeles Times as “a well-researched manifesto of libertarian ideas,” the editor of The Libertarian Reader, and coeditor of the Cato Handbook For Policymakers. His articles have been published in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, National Review, and Slate. He is a frequent guest on national television and radio shows, and has appeared on ABC’s Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, CNN’s Crossfire, NPR’s Talk of the Nation and All Things Considered, John McLaughlin’s One on One, Fox News Channel, BBC, Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and other media. His latest book is The Politics of Freedom.

Dr. Eugene Volokh

Advisor

Dr. Eugene Volokh

Advisor

Bio: Dr. Volokh teaches free speech law, criminal law, tort law, religious freedom law, and church-state relations law at UCLA School of Law, where he has also often taught copyright law and a seminar on firearms regulation policy. Before coming to UCLA, he clerked for Justice Sandra Day O’Connor on the U.S. Supreme Court and for Judge Alex Kozinski on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Volokh is the author of the textbooks The First Amendment and Related Statutes (4th ed. 2011), The Religion Clauses and Related Statutes (2005), and Academic Legal Writing (4th ed. 2010), as well as over 70 law review articles and over 80 op-eds.  He is a member of The American Law Institute, a member of the American Heritage Dictionary Usage Panel, and the founder and coauthor of The Volokh Conspiracy, a Weblog that gets about 20,000 visits per weekday. He is among the five most cited under-45 faculty members listed in the Top 25 Law Faculties in Scholarly Impact, 2005-2009 study, and among the forty most cited faculty members on that list without regard to age. These citation counts refer to citations in law review articles, but his works have also been cited by courts. Six of his law review articles have been cited by opinions of the Supreme Court Justices; twenty-one of his works (mostly articles but also a textbook, an op-ed, and a blog post) have been cited by federal circuit courts; and several others have been cited by district courts or state courts.

Volokh is also an Academic Affiliate for the Mayer Brown LLP law firm; he generally consults on other lawyers’ cases, but he has briefed and argued Ingram v. Battaglia / Rush v. Frank before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and State v. Drahota before the Nebraska Supreme Court.

Volokh worked for 12 years as a computer programmer, and is still partner in a small software company which sells HP 3000 software that he wrote. He graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in math-computer science at age 15, and has written many articles on computer software. Volokh was born in the USSR; his family emigrated to the U.S. when he was seven years old.

Dr. George Ayittey

Advisor

Dr. George Ayittey

Advisor

Bio: Dr. Ayittey is a distinguished economist in residence at American University and founder and president of the Free Africa Foundation. His areas of expertise include economic development, the World Bank, IMF, and democratization of Africa.

Dr. Ayittey is the author of numerous op-eds for the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal. He writes columns for African-owned publications including The African Letter, African Continent News, Africa News Weekly, and African Forum.  His books include Africa in Chaos, Indigenous African Institutions,  Africa Unchained: The Blueprint for Africa Unchained, and Africa Betrayed for which won the 1992 H. L. Mencken Award for Best Book.Dr. Ayittey has appeared on several television and radio news shows including ABC’s Nightline and CNN’s Crossfire as well as programs on National Public Radio, and the BBC World Service. He has also lectured across the United States, Europe, and Africa. He has testified several times before U.S. congressional committees about the third world debt crisis, foreign aid to Africa, apartheid in South Africa, the World Bank, and debt forgiveness. In addition, Dr. Ayittey has served as a consultant to several organizations including the World Bank, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the International Council on Metals and the Environment (ICME).
Professor Ayittey holds a BS from the University of Ghana, a MA from the University of Western Ontario, and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Manitoba.

Dr. Ayittey will be named Students For Liberty’s Alumnus of the Year at the 2014 International Students For Liberty Conference and will serve as the conference’s opening keynote on Friday, February 14th.

Dr. James W. Lark III

Advisor

Dr. James W. Lark III

Advisor

Bio: James W. Lark, III is a professor in the Department of Systems and Information Engineering and the Applied Mathematics program in the Department of Engineering and Society at the University of Virginia. He has also served as a professor in the Department of Statistics and the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia. In addition, he has served as Assistant to the Athletics Director for Special Projects at the University of Virginia.

He has served as a visiting scholar in the Department of Mathematics at the University of California, Berkeley and the Department of Mathematics at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In addition, he has served as a visiting scholar at the Center for the Study of Public Choice at Virginia Tech and at the Center for Research in Government Policy and Business at the University of Rochester.

His current research projects include risk analysis in financial markets, collective decision making processes, applications of Markov decision processes, and operator theory. His solution procedure for finite-horizon partially observed Markov decision processes is known in the research literature as the “Lark algorithm” (or “Lark filtering algorithm”).

Dr. Lark serves as the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Advocates for Self-Government. He is the secretary of the Board of Directors of the International Society for Individual Liberty. He is a member of the Board of Advisors of the Freedom and Entrepreneurship Foundation (Fundacja Wolnosci I Przedsiebiorczosci) in Poland.

He is a member of the (United States) Libertarian Party’s national committee, and served as the Libertarian Party’s national chairman during the 2000-2002 term.

Dr. Jo Kwong

Advisor

Dr. Jo Kwong

Advisor

Bio: Jo Kwong serves as director of economic opportunity programs at The Philanthropy Roundtable.

Prior to joining the Roundtable, Jo worked at the Institute for Humane Studies, the Capital Research Center, and the Property and Environment Research Center, where she frequently combined explorations of philanthropy and markets. Some of her publications in this field include “Philanthropy and Environmentalism” (Capital Research Center, 1987), “Corporate Donors Embrace Free-Market Environmentalism” (Wall Street Journal, 1988); “Environmental Giving Sourcebook for Trust Officers: A Private Property Rights/Free Enterprise Approach” (Institute for Humane Studies, 1988); and Protecting the Environment: Old Rhetoric, New Imperatives (Capital Research Center, 1990), which examined the role of funders in the development of the environmental movement. Jo was also an early contributor to The Philanthropy Roundtable’s magazine, Philanthropy, with the 1993 article, “Creating Eco-Kids.”

Through her work at the Atlas Economic Research Foundation from 1990 to 2010, Jo developed a network of public policy think tanks around the world that embrace individual responsibility and opportunity. As Atlas’s vice president of institute relations, she advised and counseled think tank leaders in nonprofit development, organization, and management.

Jo received her Ph.D. in natural resource economics from the University of Michigan and her Sc.B. in biology from Brown University.

Dr. Nigel Ashford

Advisor

Dr. Nigel Ashford

Advisor

Bio: Nigel Ashford is senior program officer at the Institute for Humane Studies. He joined IHS from the United Kingdom where he was professor of politics and Jean Monnet Scholar in European Integration at Staffordshire University, England. Dr. Ashford has also directed the Principles for a Free Society Project at the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation in Sweden, and was a Bradley Resident Scholar at the Heritage Foundation and Visiting Scholar at the Social and Philosophy Policy Center in Bowling Green. He is a recipient of the International Anthony Fisher Trust Prize for published work which strengthens public understanding of the political economy of the free society.

Dr. Ashford was also Chairman of the American Politics Group of the United Kingdom. He has lectured in 16 countries. He is author of Principles for a Free Society (Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation, 1999, 2003), which is available in six languages. He is co-author of US Politics Today (Manchester University Press, 1999); Public Policy and the Impact of the New Right (St. Martin’s Press, 1994) and A Dictionary of Conservative and Libertarian Thought (Routledge, 1991), and numerous articles on how ideas influence US politics.

Dr. Ashford is a frequent lecturer at SFL events.

Dr. Tom G. Palmer

Advisor

Dr. Tom G. Palmer

Advisor

Bio: Dr. Tom G. Palmer is a senior fellow at the Cato Institute, and director of Cato University, the Institute’s educational arm. Palmer is also the executive vice president for international programs at the Atlas Economic Research Foundation, and is responsible for establishing operating programs in 14 languages and managing programs for a worldwide network of think tanks. Before joining Cato he was an H. B. Earhart Fellow at Hertford College, Oxford University, and a vice president of the Institute for Humane Studies at George Mason University.

He frequently lectures in North America, Europe, Eurasia, Africa, Latin America, India, China and throughout Asia, and the Middle East on political science, public choice, civil society, and the moral, legal, and historical foundations of individual rights. He has published reviews and articles on politics and morality in scholarly journals such as the Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy, Ethics, Critical Review, and Constitutional Political Economy, as well as in publications such as Slate, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, Die Welt, Caixing, Al Hayat, the Washington Post, and The Spectator of London. He is the author of Realizing Freedom: Libertarian Theory, History, and Practice, published in 2009.

Palmer received his B.A. in liberal arts from St. Johns College in Annapolis, Maryland, his M.A. in philosophy from The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., and his doctorate in politics from Oxford University.

Doctor Palmer is a tireless supporter of Students For Liberty, serving as an editor of SFL’s books which are co-published with the Atlas Network and include The Morality of Capitalism, After the Welfare State, and Why Liberty. Additionally, Dr. Palmer is a regular speaker at SFL events internationally.

Frayda Levy

Advisor

Frayda Levy

Advisor

Bio: Frayda Levy owned and managed a book distribution business for 18 years.  After selling her business, she co-founded Moving Picture Institute which promotes liberty through film.

Frayda is Chair of the Americans for Prosperity C(4).  (David Koch is chair of AFP Foundation C(3)).  She also co-founded the NJ Chapter of Americans for Prosperity – AFP.  AFP trains conservative grass roots activists on how to lobby their legislators. 

Mrs. Levy is a member of several Boards including, the Club For Growth, American Legislative Exchange Council, and Marijuana Policy Project. Mrs. Levy began her working career as Legislative Aide on Capital Hill and then in the Reagan Bush Administration. She holds an MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia and BA from the University of Connecticut.

Gabriel Calzada Alvarez

Advisor

Gabriel Calzada Alvarez

Advisor

Bio: Gabriel is president of UFM, the pioneering free-market university founded in 1971 in Guatemala. He is current president of the Association of Private Enterprise Education and board member of the Mont Pelerin Society and Rising Tide Foundation. In his native Spain, he was founding president of Juan de Mariana Institute, a think-tank that has gained international relevance for the impact of its innovative research and, two-time recipient of Atlas Network’s Templeton Freedom Award. His 2009 study on the negative impact of the Spanish government’s promotion of “green jobs” reverberated around the world. In Spain, subsidies in place since 1996 were reversed. The study—featured on Fox News, Glenn Beck, and John Stossel—along with Gabriel’s testimony before the U.S. Congress helped bury that initiative.  He holds a doctorate in economics from Rey Juan Carlos University in Spain, and has published over 1000 articles in national and international media. He has served as professor of economics at IE University and Rey Juan Carlos University. Gabriel also specializes in environmental and energy economics, the Austrian business cycle, and defense economics. He is passionate about cinematography and teaches a class in cinematographic language at UFM’s film school. He spends his weekends adventuring along the back roads of Guatemala with his wife Karen, three daughters, and two border collies.

Gov. Gary Johnson

Advisor

Gov. Gary Johnson

Advisor

Bio: Governor Gary Johnson, who has been referred to as the “most fiscally conservative Governor” in the country, was the Republican Governor of New Mexico from 1995 until 2003.

A successful businessman before running for office in 1994, Gov. Johnson started a door-to-door handyman business to help pay his way through college. Twenty years later, he had grown the firm into one of the largest construction companies in New Mexico with over 1,000 employees. Not surprisingly, Governor Johnson brings a distinctly business-like mentality to governing, believing that decisions should be made based on cost-benefit analysis rather than strict ideology.

Johnson is best known for his veto record, which includes over 750 vetoes during his time in office, more than all other governors combined and his use of the veto pen has since earned him the nickname “Governor Veto.” He cut taxes 14 times while never raising them. When he left office, New Mexico was one of only four states in the country with a balanced budget.

Term-limited, Johnson retired from public office in 2003. An avid skier, adventurer, and bicyclist, he has reached the highest peak on four of the seven continents, including Mt. Everest.

In 2009, after becoming increasingly concerned with the country’s out-of-control national debt and precarious financial situation, the Governor formed the OUR America Initiative, a 501c(4) non-profit that promotes fiscal responsibility, civil liberties, and rational public policy. He traveled to more than 30 states and spoke to over 150 conservative and libertarian groups during his time as Honorary Chairman.

He has two grown children- a daughter Seah and a son Erik and currently resides in a house he built himself in Taos, New Mexico.

In 2012, Gov. Johnson attended the International Students for Liberty Conference and appeared on the live taping of the Stossel program.

His Serene Highness Prince Michael of Liechtenstein

Advisor

His Serene Highness Prince Michael of Liechtenstein

Advisor

Bio: Prince Michael acquired a Master’s degree in Business Administration (Magister der Sozial und Wirtschaftswissenschaft) at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (Wirtschaftsuniversität). While finishing this degree he completed many periods of practical training with banks and manufacturing companies in the US, Canada, and Belgium. He worked in the international food industry with Nestlé from 1978 to 1987. In 1987 he returned to Liechtenstein as Managing Director of Industrie und Finanzkontor Etablissement, a leading financial services and trust company. He is now the Executive Chairman of Industrie und Finanzkontor Etablissement. In addition, he is a member of numerous professional organizations and engages with various free market think tanks within Europe.

In 2011, His Serene Highness spoke at the first annual European Students For Liberty Conference and has supported its growth ever since.

John Mackey

Board Member

John Mackey

Board Member

Bio: John Mackey, co-founder and co-CEO of Whole Foods Market, has led the natural and organic grocer as it has grown from a single store in Austin, Texas, founded in 1978, to an $11 billion Fortune 300 company, and a top U.S. supermarket with more than 340 stores and 70,000 Team Members worldwide.

While devoting his career to helping shoppers satisfy their lifestyle needs with high quality natural and organic foods, Mackey has also focused on building a more conscious way of doing business. For 15 consecutive years,FORTUNE magazine has included Whole Foods Market on its “100 Best Companies to Work For” list.

Mackey has been the visionary for many successful programs at the core of Whole Foods Market. He founded Whole Planet Foundation to help end poverty in developing nations; he launched the Local Producer Loan Program to help local farmers and food producers expand their businesses; he created the Global Animal Partnership to set standards for humane farm animal treatment; and he laid the foundation for the company’s Health Starts Here initiative, which encourages health and wellness among customers and Team Members.

He has been recognized for his work over the years by being named Ernst & Young’s “United States Entrepreneur of the Year,” Institutional Investor’s “Best CEO in America,” Barron’s “World’s Best CEO,” MarketWatch’s “CEO of the Year,” FORTUNE’s “Businessperson of the Year,” and Esquire’s “Most Inspiring CEO,” among many others.

A strong believer in free market principles, Mackey co-founded the Conscious Capitalism Movement to challenge business leaders to rethink why their organizations exist, and to acknowledge their roles in the interdependent global marketplace. He recently co-authored Conscious Capitalism, Liberating the Heroic Spirit of Business to boldly defend and re-imagine capitalism while encouraging others to implement a way of doing business that is grounded in ethical consciousness.

In 2012, Mackey was named SFL’s Alumnus of the Year at the International Students For Liberty Conference in Washington, DC, where he spoke about conscious capitalism. Additionally, he was a contributor to SFL’s 2012 publication, After the Welfare State.

Lawrence Reed

Advisor

Lawrence Reed

Advisor

Bio: Larry Reed became president of FEE in 2008. Prior to that, he was a founder and president for twenty years of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy in Midland, Michigan. He also taught economics full-time and chaired the Department of Economics at Northwood University in Michigan from 1977 to 1984.

He holds a degree in economics from Grove City College (1975) and an M.A. in history from Slippery Rock State University (1978), both in Pennsylvania. He holds two honorary doctorates, one from Central Michigan University (Public Administration—1993) and Northwood University (Laws—2008).

A champion for liberty, Reed has authored over 1,000 newspaper columns and articles, dozens of articles in magazines and journals in the U. S. and abroad. His writings have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Christian Science Monitor, USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Detroit Newsand Detroit Free Press, among many others. He has authored or co-authored five books, the most recent ones being A Republic—If We Can Keep It and Striking the Root: Essays on Liberty. He is frequently interviewed on radio talk shows and has appeared as a guest on numerous television programs, including those anchored by Judge Andrew Napolitano and John Stossel on FOX Business News.

Reed has delivered at least 75 speeches annually in the past 30 years—in virtually every state and dozens of countries from Bulgaria to China to Bolivia. His best-known lectures include “Seven Principles of Sound Policy” and “Great Myths of the Great Depression”—both of which have been translated into more than a dozen languages and distributed worldwide.

Mr. Reed is a frequent keynote at SFL events around the country, and a regular speaker the International Students For Liberty Conference in Washington, D.C.

Linda Whetstone

Advisor

Linda Whetstone

Advisor

Bio: Linda Whetstone is Chairman of Network for a Free Society and a member of the boards of the Institute of Economic Affairs, Atlas Economic Research Foundation, Mont Pelerin Society, Istanbul Network for Liberty and British Dressage. She runs a small business in Sussex with her husband and writes on agricultural, trade, and development issues. She is also daughter of IEA founder, Sir Antony Fisher.

Michael Carnuccio

Advisor

Michael Carnuccio

Advisor

Michael Carnuccio (Oklahoma City) serves as President and CEO of the E Foundation for Oklahoma, a multi-million-dollar, vision-based, non-profit organization operating the donor-owner model of leveraged giving in public policy. In November of 2015, Michael launched the JTK Group, LLC, a strategic leadership firm that leverages assets for strategic results, where he provides strategic partnerships for capital generation and leadership coaching in the areas of fundraising, personal growth and team management.

In 2012, Michael founded the Liberty Foundation of America with two, matching $150,000 lead gifts and served in the capacity of President until 2016. After creating and hosting a weekly, Sunday morning discussion program that aired in the Oklahoma City media market, Michael helped launch MiddleGround Media Group, a nonprofit journalism enterprise that includes radio broadcast, online and investigative journalism.

Previously, Michael served as President of the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs from 2010 through 2015. When Carnuccio began, OCPA was a >$900,000 organization with five employees; when he stepped down, the enterprise exceeded $6,000,000, housing multiple organizations and a campus that included the 7,000 sq. ft. Advance Center for Free Enterprise multi-purpose, event facility.

Michael is a member of Club 29 Rotary, the Downtown Club of Oklahoma City, SALLT and a RightOnCrime signatory. He currently serves on the national Board of Directors for both Operation Homefront and the Fairness Center; the Board of Directors for the E Foundation for Oklahoma, the Cavett Kids Foundation and the Oklahoma Scholarship Fund; and the Board of Trustees for the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs. Michael received both his B.A. in Broadcast Journalism and M.A. in Political Science from Oklahoma State University, where he later served as adjunct faculty in the Department of Political Science. He lives in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with his wife, Kayla, and their children, Joseph, Thomas and Kathryn.

ACADEMIC PREPARATION:

M.A. in Political Science, Graduate Teaching Assistant, Oklahoma State University, 2005
Concentrations: International Relations & Comparative Politics
Creative Component: The Effectiveness of Language Manipulation on Policy Approval

B.A. in Broadcast Journalism, Oklahoma State University, School of Journalism and Broadcasting, 2002
Interests: Media Management & Agenda Setting

PUBLICATIONS:

Carnuccio, M., Dr. Jenswold, J., & Kenney M. (2004). “The United States and North Korea: Multilateralism and Security.” The Korean Journal of Public Policy, 15(6), 121-131.

Carnuccio, M. (2010, February) Take Heart, Conservatives: The People Are with Us. Perspective, pp. 14

Carnuccio, M. (2006, July 10).5th District: Getting it right. The Oklahoman, pp. 13A.

Carnuccio, M. (2005, June 3).Apathy aiding reform foes. The Oklahoman, pp. 15A.

Carnuccio, M. (2005, June 12).Why social security reform affects students - now. Tulsa World, pp. G1.

Carnuccio, M. (2012-2015). Free Market Friday. Syndicated: 27 markets. The Journal Record, pp. 6A.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE:

  • Board of Trustees; Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, Inc. (2016 - present)
  • National Board of Directors/Treasurer; Operation Homefront (2014-present)
  • Board of Trustees; The Liberty Foundation of America, Inc. (2013 - present)
  • Board of Directors; OCPA IMPACT (2010-2016), The Fairness Center (2013-present)
  • Founding Member; Friends of Roosevelt Steering Committee (2013)
  • Member; Rotary Club #29 (2011-present)
  • Member; Young President’s Club, The Heritage Foundation (2010-2015)
  • Member; The Downtown Club of Oklahoma City (2012-present)
  • Chairman; Taxation Study
[email protected]

Tyler Cowen

Advisor

Tyler Cowen

Advisor

Bio: Tyler Cowen is Holbert C. Harris Chair of Economics at George Mason University and serves as chairman and general director of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. With colleague Alex Tabarrok, Cowen is coauthor of the popular economics blog Marginal Revolution and co-founder of the online educational platform Marginal Revolution University.

A dedicated writer and communicator of economic ideas who has written extensively on the economics of culture, Cowen is the author of several books and is widely published in academic journals and the popular media. He writes the Economic Scene column for the New York Times, has contributed extensively to national publications such as the Wall Street Journal and Money, and serves on the on the advisory boards of both Wilson Quarterly and American Interest. He edited the volume Public Goods and Market Failures, and co-authored Explorations in the New Monetary Economics with Randall Kroszner. Other books include: Markets and Cultural Voices, In Praise of Commercial Culture, What Price Fame?, and Creative Destruction. His research has been published in the American Economic Review, Journal of Political Economy, Ethics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs.

In 2011, Bloomberg Businessweek profiled Cowen as “America’s Hottest Economist” after his e-book, The Great Stagnation, appeared twice on the New York Times e-book bestseller list. Columnist David Brooks declared it “the most debated nonfiction book so far this year.” Foreign Policy named Cowen as one of 2011’s “Top 100 Global Thinkers,” and an Economist survey counted him as one of the most influential economists of the last decade.

Cowen graduated from George Mason University with a BS in economics and received his PhD in economics from Harvard University.

Winston Ling

Advisor

Winston Ling

Advisor

Bio: Winston Ling is the co-founder of IEE and founder of the Instituto Liberdade (Brazil). He co-sponsored the first editions of The Virtue of Selfishness, The Fountainhead, and Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn Randto be translated into Portuguese and was a member of the Advisory Board of The Templeton Freedom Awards Program (USA, 2004). He sponsored the publication of The China Lectures by Jose Stelle in English, Chinese, Thai and Russian. He also founded The Ouray Initiative For Reason and Individualism in Hong Kong in 2015. Currently, he is dedicated to introducing and popularizing Ayn Rand’s ideas in Brazil and in East and Southeast Asia.


THE EXECUTIVE TEAM

Dr. Wolf von Laer

Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Wolf von Laer

Chief Executive Officer

Bio: Dr. Wolf von Laer is the Chief Executive Officer of Students For Liberty (SFL). SFL is a non-profit organization with close to 60 staff members that trains and supports pro-liberty students in the United States and around the world. Wolf received his PhD in Political Economy at King's College London in March 2017. Wolf lived and studied in the US, Turkey, Spain, Germany, the UK, Sweden, and Argentina. He has published several book chapters, a book about central-banking, and a peer-reviewed journal article. Wolf has appeared in the Wallstreet Journal, Forbes, Huffington Post, and CSPAN. He is a member of the Mont Pelerin Society. His website is www.wolfvonlaer.com.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Elinor Ostrom, Peter Boettke, Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich A. Hayek

On Students For Liberty: “SFL provided the supportive environment that made me a better advocate for the ideas of liberty and a better person. I am deeply grateful to the organization. SFL continues to change people’s lives and the world for the better. I cannot imagine spending my time in a more meaningful way than working for SFL.”

[email protected]

Frederik Roeder

Chief Strategy Officer

Frederik Roeder

Chief Strategy Officer

Bio: Fred loves pro-liberty activism and is also an advocate for healthcare reform towards the free market. He joined the Mises Forum at the University of Bayreuth in Germany during his first semester and enjoyed learning more about human action and monetary policy. He is also a junior-scholar of the Hayek Foundation in Germany, which provides an academic forum for young Austrian Economists and Classical Liberals. Fred also loves to combine his two major passions: Liberty and traveling. Thus you will most likely see him in some spot in Europe, North America or Asia working with libertarian friends there, planning new activism groups or brainstorming about business ideas in emerging markets.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: The writings of Ludwig von Mises helped me a lot to understand many things in the world, but Milton Friedman’s “Free to Choose”  and Robert Nozick’s “Anarchy, State and Utopia” were the initial books, which inspired me. Though I am not a big fan of politicians, I would also consider Maggy Thatcher as one of my favorite figures in liberty.

On Students For Liberty: “Best thing ever! No seriously SFL brings so many great people together and provides students all over the world with resources. I know so many people (and I was one of them) who thought that they are the only libertarian in the world and that they are crazy. SFL helps to get in touch with other liberty-minded people and helps them to outreach even more on their campuses.”

[email protected]

Laura Cheplak

Chief Operating Officer

Laura Cheplak

Chief Operating Officer

Bio: Laura is the Chief Operating Officer at Students for Liberty and joined the team in December of 2015. Laura joins us after over a decade at the Institute for Humane Studies where she served a number of roles including Director of Conference Management and, most recently, Senior Director of Operations. Laura is a graduate of Boston University where she received a B.A. in philosophy. While there, she founded the Boston University Libertarian Society and hosted interdisciplinary libertarian conferences for students in the area.

[email protected]
 

THE SFL STAFF

Comprised of young professionals dedicating their careers to liberty, SFL’s staff oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization.

Aleksandar Kokotović

Global Campaigns Director

Aleksandar Kokotović

Global Campaigns Director

Bio: Aleksandar graduated from the University of Belgrade with a Bachelors degree in Political Science. He is also a Marketing Coordinator for the libertarian club, Libek, in Serbia. Aleksandar first got in touch with libertarian ideas during his first year of studies in the Faculty of Political Science, although he believes he was always a libertarian he was not aware that that is the name for someone who wants to live without having the government regulating his life. After a lecture from Radovan Durana from INESS Aleksandar applied for a Language of Liberty camp in Slovakia and his international pro-liberty activism started. He doesn’t want this to end anytime soon.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Murray Rothbard, Frédéric Bastiat

On Students For Liberty: "Changes and new ideas grow fastest when they are well accepted by students. Being a part of an organization which has the tools to provide students with the help needed to spread the ideas of liberty is a great honor. I believe that in the years to come we will see what an important task SFL has been doing all these years. It’s exciting to be a part of that."

[email protected]

Amelia Hamilton

Development Content Writer

Amelia Hamilton

Development Content Writer

Bio: Amelia Hamilton is a writer and historian who is passionate about advancing liberty worldwide. As author of the Growing Patriots children's books, she hopes to bring principles of liberty to young children and, through her work at SFL, to young leaders around the world. Amelia loves dogs, hockey, old movies, and apple juice.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Adam Smith, Friedrich Hayek

On Students For Liberty: “It's exciting to work with an organization that is committed to protecting the principles of liberty into the future and enshrining them in tomorrow's leaders.”

[email protected]

André Freo

Brazilian Programs Director

André Freo

Brazilian Programs Director

Bio: André is a 20-year-old law student in the south of Brasil. Since 2014, he has been part of the libertarian movement in the country. He’s served as former Chairman of the Clube Farroupilha, an Events Associate of SFL Brasil and Operations Assistant for the Brazilian Mises Institute. He now works as the Programs Associate for Students For Liberty Brasil.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Murray Rothbard and Ludwig von Mises

On Students For Liberty: “SFL is the most effective way to change a statist mentality in the academy not only by creating the next generation of libertarian leaders but also by creating the hugest family I’ve ever seen.”

[email protected]

Andrés Pino

Asia Pacific Programs Associate

Andrés Pino

Asia Pacific Programs Associate

Bio: Andrés Pino has a bachelor's degree in International Relations from the University of El Salvador. He became acquainted with the ideas of liberty after reading about Frédéric Bastiat's economic thinking. He has been working for the cause of liberty since 2012, year in which he participated and obtained an honorable mention in an essay competition sponsored by the Francisco Marroquín University (UFM). He is a FEE and CATO alumnus. He is also a former member of multiple libertarian organizations in El Salvador, all of which he helped organize conferences and create informative content. In 2017 he became Chairman for Students for Liberty in Latin America (EsLibertad).

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Ludwig Von Mises, Frédéric Bastiat and Ron Paul

On Students For Liberty: Since becoming part of Students for Liberty in 2014, I've had the honor to work beside the most passionate and intelligent pro-liberty students from around the world. Thanks to SFL I've also developed new leadership skills and deepened my knowledge about the importance of liberty in everyday life. Being part of such a great organization has definitely changed my life in more aspects that I could've ever imagined.

[email protected]

Anel Ferić

Design Associate

Anel Ferić

Design Associate

Bio: Anel is a student at School of Economics and Business at the University of Sarajevo, currently writing masters degree thesis. Passionate about marketing, visual communications, with years of experience as a freelance graphic and UI designer, creative professional and marketing executive. Living in a region with a history of different challenges on freedom of individuals, he finds promoting the idea of liberty as his responsibility and logical choice. Believes that good design can change the world.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Adam Smith, Friedrich von Hayek, Frederic Bastiat

On Students For Liberty: “Liberty, as a universal value, is something that needs to be guaranteed to everyone. It's our duty to protect and promote liberty and to strive to make the world freer place. ”

[email protected]

Anja Baker

Donor Relations Officer

Anja Baker

Donor Relations Officer

Bio: Anja became passionate about liberty as a college student at Mississippi State University. She joined Bulldogs for Liberty and became a participant of her alma mater's Institute for Market Studies. She worked with the development team at Competitive Enterprise Institute through the Koch Internship Program following graduating from MSU's business school. Before joining the SFL team, Anja worked to expand school choice across the state of Mississippi at Empower Mississippi. As a volunteer, she is an advocate for criminal justice reform and free market solutions for low-income families. In her free time, she enjoys the company of her husband and infant son.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Thomas Sowell, Ludwig von Mises, Milton Friedman, and John Locke

On Students For Liberty: "SFL educated me on simple solutions to controversial issues. The resources I received from SFL in college equipped me with intellectual and compassionate responses to some of the world’s biggest questions. If every student had the opportunity I had, we would see a transformed generation."

[email protected]

Ayemen Fatima

South Asia Programs Manager

Ayemen Fatima

South Asia Programs Manager

Bio: Ayemen recently completed her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from DSOP, Hyderabad, India. She found her love for Liberty through SFL when she joined as a campus coordinator and then went on to take the roles of the Events chair and the Chairwoman for South Asia Students for Liberty.

She is passionate about issues surrounding human rights, individual freedom, religion, free markets and health economics. Ayemen is an advocate for drug law reforms and hopes to advance her research in healthcare regulatory policies.

In her free time, Ayemen enjoys swimming, reading about Islamic literature and painting abstract art. She considers herself a cultural traveller with an Adventure Mana.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Friedrich Hayek, Ayn Rand, Linda Whetstone, Ken Schoolland.

On Students For Liberty: “Students for Liberty is a platform for ideas that is bringing together students of various cultures from all over the world, educating them about fundamental individual rights, importance of a freer society and is advancing peace in doing so.”

[email protected]

Bernardo Vidigal

Education & Training Director/Learn Liberty Managing Director

Bernardo Vidigal

Education & Training Director/Learn Liberty Managing Director

Bio: Bernardo is from Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Born and raised there, Bernardo got to know the liberty movement and SFL through his Alma Mater Ibmec Business School, a pro-market college in Brazil, where he majored in International Relations. Within Students For Liberty, Bernardo first joined as a coordinator, later being hired to work with SFL Brasil. He has since moved to SFL Academy, and now works with international trainings and academic courses.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Joaquim Nabuco, Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek.

On Students For Liberty: "Joining Students for Liberty in Brazil changed not only my world view, but all of my career prospects. I got the chance to work with brilliant young leaders from around the world who are motivated by the same ideal. The community that SFL creates is not only the best way to disseminate the ideas of liberty, but also one of the best work environments I ever worked in."

[email protected]

Bruno Mafra Macedo

Video Production Manager

Bruno Mafra Macedo

Video Production Manager

Bio: Bruno graduated in International Relations in 2013 at PUC MINAS and since then has been working on international projects over the years. His main field of work has been project management both on events (FIFA World Cup and Olympic Torch Relays) and video production, where managed his team on TV shows for Netflix and Cartoon Network. He is currently based in São Paulo and in his spare time, you can find him cooking and searching for electronic music online.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Joaquim Nabuco

On Students For Liberty: “SFL means I can put my hands on the biggest project of my life, one that has an impact on so many people and give them the tools to make their own life choices.”

[email protected]

Cassiano Zanon

Video Production Associate

Cassiano Zanon

Video Production Associate

Bio: Cassiano Zanon studied Design and Animation at the Federal University of Santa Catarina in Brazil. During graduation, he won, with his team, the 1st place award for best animated short film in a regional festival. He has worked in video production and design, directing and producing music videos and animations. In 2018 he worked in the election campaign of Santa Catarina State only libertarian deputy candidate, who won the election.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Ludwig von Mises

On Students For Liberty: “I feel like SFL gives me the freedom to develop myself and be as creative as I can to make the content of our production as appealing and engaging as possible, in order to educate and spread the work of Liberty.”

[email protected]

David Clement

Director of External Relations

David Clement

Director of External Relations

Bio: David is the North American Programs Director with SFL and is based out of Oakville, Ontario. David has been involved in SFL since 2012, first as a Campus Coordinator, then later as a North American Executive Board member and an International Board member. David holds a B.A in Political Science, and a M.A in International Relations from Wilfrid Laurier University. Outside of SFL, David has been involved in a variety of projects that focus on electoral politics and immigration reform. Most recently, David ran for Canadian Parliament in the riding of Oakville North-Burlington.

Favourite Figures in Liberty: F.A Hayek, Michael Shermer, David Leyonhjelm

On Students For Liberty: “I could not be happier to be a part of SFL. The organization has grown so much since I first got involved, and I am excited to see what new heights the organization can reach.”

[email protected]

David Gallegos

Eslibertad Events Associate

David Gallegos

Eslibertad Events Associate

Bio: David studied International Relations at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and took several courses in different countries in America and Europe. He has experience in the design and implementation of academic projects with multidisciplinary and international teams.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Friedrich Von Hayek, John Locke, Gabriel Zanotti,  Henry Hazlit

On Students For Liberty: "SFL is a way of life: Impact lives, develop leadership, deeepen knowledge and foster a freer, more prosperous and peaceful world."

[email protected]

Deborah Bizarria

Brazilian Mentorship Associate

Deborah Bizarria

Brazilian Mentorship Associate

Bio: Deborah Bizarria is 21 years old and is an economics student. Since joining the Coordinators Program in 2017, she has become the State Coordinator of Pernambuco and is currently among the top 50 leaders of SFL. Since then, she began to write articles for Revista XXI, Revista Amálgama and for the Instituto Mercado Popular. He also leads LOLA chapter in Pernambuco, participates in the Frei Caneca Club and is a founder associate of Livres. Nowadays, she develops her own blog: Marginal Futility. There, she writes about her interests such as politics, society, gender issues, and Behavioral Economics. Due to the latter, she composed the 2018 class of Behavioral Economics course at Warwick University in London. Thus, has been addressing issues through this new economic perspective, which goes beyond the Orthodox and Austrian currents. 

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Adam Smith, JS Mill and Milton Friedman

On Students For Liberty: When you find yourself alone, longing for more freedom for your country, SFL rescues you and shows that there are many others that have the same dream as you do. Then, you realize its possible that, together, we can build a freer future.

[email protected]

Dr. Wolf von Laer

Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Wolf von Laer

Chief Executive Officer

Bio: Dr. Wolf von Laer is the Chief Executive Officer of Students For Liberty (SFL). SFL is a non-profit organization with close to 60 staff members that trains and supports pro-liberty students in the United States and around the world. Wolf received his PhD in Political Economy at King's College London in March 2017. Wolf lived and studied in the US, Turkey, Spain, Germany, the UK, Sweden, and Argentina. He has published several book chapters, a book about central-banking, and a peer-reviewed journal article. Wolf has appeared in the Wallstreet Journal, Forbes, Huffington Post, and CSPAN. He is a member of the Mont Pelerin Society. His website is www.wolfvonlaer.com.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Elinor Ostrom, Peter Boettke, Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich A. Hayek

On Students For Liberty: “SFL provided the supportive environment that made me a better advocate for the ideas of liberty and a better person. I am deeply grateful to the organization. SFL continues to change people’s lives and the world for the better. I cannot imagine spending my time in a more meaningful way than working for SFL.”

[email protected]

Elizabeth Hayes

Director of International Programs (Europe & North America)

Elizabeth Hayes

Director of International Programs (Europe & North America)

Bio: Elizabeth graduated from the University of Iowa with a B.A. in Political Science and minors in International Relations and Arabic. Elizabeth previously served as the Vice President of the University of Iowa Young Americans for Liberty chapter, as well as an Iowa State Chair for YAL. Prior to joining Students For Liberty’s Academic Programs team, Elizabeth worked at Young Americans for Liberty as the Director of Free Speech as well as the Northeast Regional Director. In addition to her work, Elizabeth is also a current participant in the Koch Associate Program at the Charles Koch Institute.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Ayn Rand, Frederic Bastiat, Ron Paul

On Students For Liberty: “Students For Liberty has effectively educated thousands of students around the world on the ideas of liberty, and has also trained and empowered countless youth activists dedicated to advocate for a free society within their communities. It is truly inspiring to see all of SFL’s hard work effect real change within today’s world, and I am honored to work at such a passionate and fruitful organization.”

[email protected]

Emma Balogh

Global Marketing Director

Emma Balogh

Global Marketing Director

Bio: Emma graduated from the State University of New York at Albany in 2010 with a B.A. in English. She also double minored in History and Political Science and received cum laude distinction. In 2011, she joined the United States Peace Corps where she organized maternal and child health workshops in Morocco and trained rural educators on preventative measures for combating infant mortality in the rural High Atlas mountains. In 2013, she moved to Prague, Czech Republic where she began to pursue a fruitful career in marketing, starting out as a freelance copywriter and later working for over three and a half years in student recruitment. This was followed by freelancing for a number of tech start-ups until 2019, where she opened her own digital marketing agency, Papaya & Lime, targeting local business owners in the US. Emma identifies as a feminist and a technolibertarian, and loves to follow Silicon Valley female executives.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Michael Arrington, Ayn Rand, Bill Maher

On Students For Liberty: “People do their best work when they are given the freedom and authority to make their own informed decisions. Censorship, propaganda, and overregulation do nothing but stifle innovation and create a dangerous and toxic environment which inhibits the growth of our most powerful organ - the brain. SFL’s mission to educate, empower, and promote liberty celebrates freedom of thought and propels the next generation of leaders to debate responsibly and find solutions for today’s most pressing problems.”

[email protected]

Eric Lumpkins

North American Programs Manager

Eric Lumpkins

North American Programs Manager

Bio: Eric grew up in Southeast Florida. He had always been anti-authoritarian and found a natural home in the liberty movement. He studied economics at Florida Gulf Coast University where he joined Eagles For Liberty and in 2016 became an SFL Campus Coordinator. While in university, Eric interned at the Nevada Policy Research Institute and worked as an opinion writer until 2018 when he joined SFL staff as the Midwest Outreach Associate. He currently serves as the North American Programs Manager. Eric enjoys stand-up comedy and monetary economics.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Friedrich A. Hayek, Ludwig Von Mises, Carl Menger

On Students For Liberty: "Joining Students For Liberty has been one of the best and most valuable decisions I've ever made. My personal and professional development has been immensely accelerated thanks to the training, experiences, and networking I've gone through as a part of SFL. Students For Liberty is the global leader in empowering young people to educate their communities, to liberalize their societies, and to be the change they wish to see in the world; and I'm so proud to be a part of that."

[email protected]

Francesco Direnzo

Eslibertad Leadership Associate

Francesco Direnzo

Eslibertad Leadership Associate

Bio: Francesco is from Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, a descendant of Italian immigrants, he studied International Relations and Conflict Resolution at NUR University, he was taught mostly about Marxism and felt that the school was really biased towards Marx and socialist ideas. During
2013 and in his search for an alternative he got in touch with the newly formed charter team of Students For Liberty in Bolivia, that’s when he got interested in liberty ideas and got involved with SFL. He became a member and was amongst the first generation of Local Coordinators in Bolivia, he was also the Regional Director for Bolivia in 2016 and now a member of the Latin America Executive Board and the International Executive Board.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Murray N. Rothbard

On Students For Liberty: “Joining SFL was one of the best decisions I’ve taken, I learned so many things I wasn’t able to during my university years, due to biases in education and the leaning to socialism in my country. I feel Students For Liberty has a lot to do, but I believe we have the best people in the right places to do so.”

[email protected]

Frederik Roeder

Chief Strategy Officer

Frederik Roeder

Chief Strategy Officer

Bio: Fred loves pro-liberty activism and is also an advocate for healthcare reform towards the free market. He joined the Mises Forum at the University of Bayreuth in Germany during his first semester and enjoyed learning more about human action and monetary policy. He is also a junior-scholar of the Hayek Foundation in Germany, which provides an academic forum for young Austrian Economists and Classical Liberals. Fred also loves to combine his two major passions: Liberty and traveling. Thus you will most likely see him in some spot in Europe, North America or Asia working with libertarian friends there, planning new activism groups or brainstorming about business ideas in emerging markets.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: The writings of Ludwig von Mises helped me a lot to understand many things in the world, but Milton Friedman’s “Free to Choose”  and Robert Nozick’s “Anarchy, State and Utopia” were the initial books, which inspired me. Though I am not a big fan of politicians, I would also consider Maggy Thatcher as one of my favorite figures in liberty.

On Students For Liberty: “Best thing ever! No seriously SFL brings so many great people together and provides students all over the world with resources. I know so many people (and I was one of them) who thought that they are the only libertarian in the world and that they are crazy. SFL helps to get in touch with other liberty-minded people and helps them to outreach even more on their campuses.”

[email protected]

Giulio Mazzanti

Website Associate

Giulio Mazzanti

Website Associate

Bio: Giulio Mazzanti started coding and playing around with websites when he was 11. At 16 he first got interested in Libertarian politics and a year later joined Students for Liberty. In May 2017 he became the SFL National Coordinator for Italy and in July of the same year got a position as Website Associate for SFL. He is currently studying "Economics, Management & Computer Science" at Bocconi University in Milan.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Satoshi Nakamoto, Fredéric Bastiat, Ludwig von Mises, Penn Jillette, Ron Paul.

On Students For Liberty: "Students for Liberty is a huge and inspiring network constantly giving personal growth opportunities to its students while creating meaningful change towards a freer future."

[email protected]

Ibrahim Anoba

AfricanLiberty.org Managing Editor

Ibrahim Anoba

AfricanLiberty.org Managing Editor

Bio: Ibrahim is a researcher in the Political Economic Affairs of African states with interests in African Culture and Philosophy. Prior to joining SFL, he was formerly the Executive Director of ALOD Policy in Lagos. He is known for his critical opinions about the aid policies of international creditors in Africa, some of which have appeared in The Daily Caller, TownHall, Yahoo, Business Insider, and Gazeta do Povo. His works have also been cited by policy groups including Transparency International and the Chr. Michelsen Institute.

Ibrahim holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Olabisi Onabanjo University and professional qualifications in Think Tank Management, Strategic Communications and Market-Based Management.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Friedrich Hayek, Peter Boettke, Jeffrey Miron

On Students For Liberty: Students for Liberty is the future of the global freedom movement. The amount of dedication each team member puts toward winning new minds for the freedom movement, especially at one of the most trying times for liberty is beyond important. This group is saving the oldest human tradition and it is evident in the growing number of its students network, who are making positive impacts in the most remote places one can ever imagine. It is a remarkable crop of leaders and there cannot be a greater honor than being a part of it.

[email protected]

Irune Ariño

European Events Associate

Irune Ariño

European Events Associate

Bio: Irune Ariño is a Political Science undergraduate at Pompeu Fabra University and she is studying her master's degree at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid on a course in Democracy and Governance. In 2014 she go involved with ESFL as one of the founders of a local group in Catalonia and then as Local Coordinator. She is the former Regional Director for SFL Iberia and current Deputy Director at a Spanish think tank named Instituto Juan de Mariana. She also is an occasional collaborator in some Spanish digital media as Libertad Digital or El Español.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: John Stuart Mill, Elinor Ostrom and Jason Brennan.

On Students For Liberty: "Students For Libery catches you from the very beginning. Once you join this amazing family, you can't simply leave"

[email protected]

Ivanildo Terceiro

Brazilian Communications Manager

Ivanildo Terceiro

Brazilian Communications Manager

Bio: Ivanildo is a 21-year-old law student in the Northeast of Brasil. Since 2012, he has been part of the libertarian movement in the country. He already worked as a ghostwriter and social media for local libertarian politicians and managed Portal Libertarianismo.
He now works as the Brazilian Communications Manager for Students For Liberty Brasil.
Favorite Figures in Liberty:  F. A. Hayek, Deirdre N. McCloskey, and Roderick T. Long
On Students For Liberty: “Everyday I look myself in the mirror and feel marvelous about working in an organization where I can spread everyday Peace, Love and Liberty. "
[email protected]

Jan Škapa

Senior Systems Director

Jan Škapa

Senior Systems Director

Bio: Jan Škapa grew up in a small Moravian town in the Czech Republic and is currently working at SFL Senior Systems Director. He has an undergraduate degree in Management in IT and is pursuing a graduate degree in Brno, CZ. He was an occasional freelance web developer and programmer in high school and during university. He is a permanent self-learner – being interested in IT, tech, economics, business, law and things that combine them (e.g. cryptocurrencies).

In 2013 he co-founded Students for Liberty Czech Republic, now a fast-growing, nation-wide student organization dedicated to connecting students while spreading the ideas of liberty. He loves to ride a bike, play tennis and floorball.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Fredéric Bastiat, Lawrence Reed, Henry Hazlitt, Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek, Murray Rothbard, Matt Ridley, Ludwig von Mises Institute, FEE.org

On Students For Liberty: "Students For Liberty is about bringing people together. It is about showing others that borders really don’t mean anything at all. It is about individuals and their vast variety of different talents and skills. It is about living one’s life and respecting the right of others to do the same. It is about good morality, strength of character and one’s own opinion. In other words, it is about friendship, fun and freedom."

[email protected]

Jessica Murphy

Foundations Officer

Jessica Murphy

Foundations Officer

Bio: Jessica was born in South Africa and spent most of her life in Wisconsin. She holds a BA in Political Science and BS in Environmental Policy from the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay. She was a Young Americans for Liberty State Chair and Students for Liberty Campus Coordinator for two years, a research intern at a state-based free market think tank, and a State Policy Network Generation Liberty Fellow in 2017. Her work has been featured in Campus Reform, Daily Caller, College Fix, and other media outlets. Prior to her time at SFL, she worked in donor relations at the Leadership Institute. She lives in Arlington, Virginia and hosts Liberty Karaoke, a weekly networking event for liberty-minded individuals.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Frédéric Bastiat, Matt Kibbe, John Stuart Mill

On Students For Liberty: “Students For Liberty has ignited a world-wide movement of freedom loving individuals advocating for freer societies. I have honed my professional development and leadership skills thanks to SFL, and I have also made a myriad of friends through the network. I am honored to be a part of an organization that empowers the future generation of liberty warriors, gives them a platform, and trains them to effectively communicate ideas of freedom across the globe."

[email protected]

John Gray

Asia-Pacific Programs Associate

John Gray

Asia-Pacific Programs Associate

Bio: John served 8 years in the Royal Australian Navy as a Maritime Warfare Officer on submarines, before gaining a qualification to drive merchant vessels. He then decided to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer and is two years away from a Bachelor of Laws. John is a classical liberal with a passion for education and advocating for smaller government and more individual freedom.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Bastiat, Sowell, Rand

On Students For Liberty: Students For Liberty is a vital organisation for free-thinking, Libertarian students around the world. They understand that education is the greatest tool we have to change the world and do fine work in achieving that goal.

[email protected]

Josh Murdock

Director of Finance

Josh Murdock

Director of Finance

Bio: Josh is the Director of Finance at Students for Liberty.  After graduating from Western Michigan University in December 2010 with a Bachelor's degree in Finance, he spent five years working with liberty focused non profits as a non profit accountant.  Over two of those years were spent working with SFL directly as a client.  Josh was born and raised in Southwest Michigan and still resides in the mitten with his wife and two daughters.

Julia Kril

Email Marketing & PR Specialist

Julia Kril

Email Marketing & PR Specialist

Alma mater:Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.

Bio:Julia joined the libertarian movement in 2016 as a local coordinator at European Students For Liberty, where she later became an Events and Communications Intern. While volunteering at SFL Julia has realized her true passion for marketing and communications. She believes that it is the greatest combination of freedom and creativity in the digital world. Julia holds two Bachelor degrees in Law and International Economics & Management and her areas of interest are diverse and include traveling, philosophy, innovation and art.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Ayn Rand, Ludwig von Mises.

On Students For Liberty: "Students For Liberty is one of the most marvelous things that happened to me in my life. It helped me to discover the philosophy I live by, meet outstanding personalities and experience the brightest momentums of the youth. I am excited to be a part of the network of individuals who are building the freer future."

[email protected]

Julia Sondermann

Video Production Manager

Julia Sondermann

Video Production Manager

Bio: Julia Sondermann is a cinematographer, editor and scriptwriter based in São Paulo, Brazil. Born in Porto Alegre, studied cinema at the University of Sinos Valley in São Leopoldo. Sondermann`s work as a cinematographer entered international and national festivals such as Rotterdam Film Festival, in Amsterdam, and Maryland Film Festival, in USA. Her portfolio was chosen to be a part of the Centro Internacional de Fotografía y Cine (Madrid) Shortlist in 2016. As a scriptwriter she has participated in script laboratories and international coproduction meetings in Bolivia and in Brazil. As a videomaker, she worked for several companies in Brazil such as Tastemade Brazil. Sondermann’s work also extends o movie distribution in movie theaters and digital platforms.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Ludwig von Mises

On Students For Liberty: "SFL has an essential job of spreading the ideas of freedom. It is an honor to be part of the team."

[email protected]

Julio Clavijo

Data Analytics Director

Julio Clavijo

Data Analytics Director

Bio: Julio has a B.S in Economics and a minor in International relations from UEES in Ecuador with a year of studies abroad a Sciences Po Paris. He also, finished recently the GCL program at Georgetown University.  After getting involved with freedom ideas through an essay contest sponsored by Fundación Ecuador Libre, Julio started to study in depth topics related to Austrian economics, public choice, economic freedom and education. Nowadays, he considers these topics as key topics to achieve a free society and from that moment, he has been participating actively in promoting these topics through Fundación Ecuador Libre as an Economic Researcher and fellow among other pro liberty institutions.

 Favorite Figures in Liberty: Friederich Hayek, George Orwell, Israel Kirzner

On Students For Liberty: “EsLibertad is the biggest and most important pro liberty student network in Latin America, and its main purpose is to prepare and empower the next generation of student leaders that will guarantee the future of liberty. We are doing it, and we will not stop until the debate is permanently on the table and every student leader has a platform to be heard all over Latin America, may the sound of freedom crumble down the base of status quo.”

[email protected]

Karina Menshikova

Website Associate

Karina Menshikova

Website Associate

Bio: Karina studied English Language & Translation at V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, but after joining the web-services company she became interested in web-development & social media. Fiction translation took a back seat and became a hobby. She dedicates her rare spare moments to developing her own blog and dreams of studying History of Art.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Ayn Rand

On Students For Liberty: "The best road to progress is freedom’s road...and the best road there is SFL."

Kevin Coombes

European Programs Director

Kevin Coombes

European Programs Director

Bio: Kevin holds a Bachelor Degree in Law and Society and he holds a Masters in Politics, Philosophy and Economics next semester. He has a particular interest in legal philosophy, societal reform, and justice. Driven by his belief that a freer more just world is possible, he has been actively involved in the promotion of personal freedom since 2009 having founded Ireland’s first pro-freedom forum. Upon graduating he founded the Brehon Law Academy, has given talks, written articles and developed an online course as a means to teach others about early Irish law, mythology and culture; a topic he is almost as passionate about as he is for spreading freedom.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Frederic Bastiat, Lysander Spooner, Larken Rose, Alan Watts

On European Students For Liberty: “Being part of European Students For Liberty has accelerated my efforts to promote personal freedom and a freer world. Connecting with such bright, genuine and committed people from all over the world has been an inspiration – knowing there are 1000’s of others out there working for liberty fuels the fire in my belly and drives me to work towards worthwhile change. I can promote the ideas of liberty professionally and with purpose and thanks to the training, expertise and resources available through (E)SFL my efforts become much more effective.”

[email protected]

Kyle Walker

Senior Director of Programs

Kyle Walker

Senior Director of Programs

Bio: Kyle Walker is the Senior Director of International Programs at Students For Liberty. Prior to joining SFL, Kyle worked for three years as an instructor at the Charles Koch Institute. He also spent two years with AmeriCorps in Los Angeles helping middle and high school students prepare for college admissions. Kyle is a former Fulbright Fellow at the University of Vienna. He received his bachelor’s degree in philosophy and psychology from Canisius College and his master’s degree in philosophy from Georgia State University.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Timothy Leary, Lysander Spooner, Adam Smith

[email protected]

Laura Cheplak

Chief Operating Officer

Laura Cheplak

Chief Operating Officer

Bio: Laura is the Chief Operating Officer at Students for Liberty and joined the team in December of 2015. Laura joins us after over a decade at the Institute for Humane Studies where she served a number of roles including Director of Conference Management and, most recently, Senior Director of Operations. Laura is a graduate of Boston University where she received a B.A. in philosophy. While there, she founded the Boston University Libertarian Society and hosted interdisciplinary libertarian conferences for students in the area.

[email protected]

Lia Janelidze

European Programs Associate

Lia Janelidze

European Programs Associate

Bio: Lia studied Business Administration at the Agricultural University of Georgia. She got in touch with the ideas of liberty at the very first year of her university studies and joined her lecturer in founding Georgian SFL group back in 2012. In 2014 Lia became one of the first Local Coordinators for ESFL in Georgia and has been actively involved in strengthening Georgian chapter ever since.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Kakha Bendukidze, Milton Friedman, Frédéric Bastiat

On Students For Liberty: "Joining Students For Liberty was one of the best decisions of my life, not only because this organization helped me develop myself and promote ideas of liberty, but also because I became part of this big family of the most amazing and inspiring people across the globe!"

[email protected]

Linda Kavuka

African Programs Director

Linda Kavuka

African Programs Director

Bio:  Linda began promoting the Ideas of Liberty in 2013 on joining SFL as a Charter Teams Member. She was later accepted to the Inaugural African Executive Board in 2014, serving as Regional Director for East Africa where she helped to launch SFL in the region. She served as chair of the African Executive Board in 2015 and is the host of the annual Eastern African Regional Conference. On behalf of African Students For Liberty Kenya Linda was selected to represent the youth interest in the project,” Fostering Issue Based Political Dialogue in Kenya towards the 2018 General Elections,” a project in partnership with Liberal Alliance Denmark, Kenya Association of Manufacturers and Eastern African Policy Centre January 2016 – November 2017. Linda completed a Bachelor of Law from the University of Nairobi and the Advocates Training Program from the Kenya School of Law. She is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, and previously practiced law at Muma and Kanjama Advocates. Linda recently joined Students For Liberty as staff and is the current African Programs Manager.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: FA Hayek, Bastiat, Mises, Tom Palmer

On Students For Liberty: "Joining SFL as a volunteer was one of the best decisions I made as a Student.  SFL gives the platform, resources and imparts the skills to passionate young people as they advocate for liberty. The end result is a movement of young people across the globe that lead by example and stand out among their peers."

[email protected]

Liza Katsiashvili

European Programs Manager

Liza Katsiashvili

European Programs Manager

Bio: Liza holds a Bachelor degree in Business Administration. She first got in touch with the ideas of libertarianism at the first year of her university and has been enthusiastic about bringing some changes towards the freer environment ever since. She has been involved in libertarian movement in Georgia since 2016. Besides that she is interested in entrepreneurship and is in the process of building a startup company with her partners.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Ludwig von Mises, Milton Friedman, Kakha Bendukidze

On Students For Liberty: "SFL is an organization which brings liberty-minded youth together and provides them with the opportunities to develop themselves and make our world a freer place! It creates never-ending friendships, memories and encouraging stories of activists who are passionate about freedom!"

[email protected]

Luca Bertoletti

International Development Officer

Luca Bertoletti

International Development Officer

Bio: Luca graduated with a degree in Political Science from the University of Milan in December 2014. He is primally interested in Public Choice Theory and his research interests also include the relationship between social sciences and the analysis of long run historical processes and the theory of complex phenomena.

Since November 2013 he has been an advocate of Young Voices Advocates. He was also a student of the Institute for Humane Studies.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: James Buchanan, Friedrick Von Hayek, Milton Friedman, Robert Nozick

On Students For Liberty: “Students for Liberty is a fantastic organisation for providing intellectual resources for all students and help the newcomers to understand better the libertarian ideas. Students for Liberty gives me a lot of resources and helps me to understand better the libertarian movement; SFL gives me the opportunity to fight for freedom in a very strong way.”

[email protected]

Luis F. Montealegre

Development Associate

Luis F. Montealegre

Development Associate

Bio: Luis was born in Miami, Florida to Nicaraguan immigrants escaping a communist regime. He studied at St. Mary’s University where he double majored in Finance and Insurance. He then worked in Finance underwriting bonds for construction companies throughout Texas. However, he found himself longing for work that was more meaningful and impactful. So he quit and committed to finding the best way he could promote liberty minded ideas. Today, Luis helps Student for Liberty’s development team reach their fundraising goals. Luis lives in Texas where he has resided for over ten years. He is an avid fan of all comedy formats and an improvisational comedy performer.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Milton Friedman, F.A. Hayek, Hernando de Soto Polar

On Students For Liberty: “Students for Liberty is impressive in both it’s international scope and breakneck growth. I feel both grateful and fortunate for the opportunity to start anew at SFL and, hopefully, leave a legacy I can be proud of.”

[email protected]

Magnús Örn Gunnarsson

North American Programs Associate

Magnús Örn Gunnarsson

North American Programs Associate

Bio: Magnús is born and raised in Kópavogur the largest town in Iceland. He has a degree in International Affairs from the Commercial College of Iceland and recently was the Regional Director for Students for Liberty in Northern-Europe. He joined SFL in 2015 as a Local Coordinator for Iceland and in 2016 he started the Association of Liberal Upper Secondary Students and organized the first Summer Liberty Academy. He organized the Regional Conference in Iceland in 2018 which gained him the title of Top Global Leader at LibertyCon in Washington DC last January. Recently he joined SFL staff in North America as the North American Programs Associate through the Koch Associate Program.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Frédéric Bastiat, Voltaire and Davíð Oddsson

On Students For Liberty: "Students for Liberty is a young, vibrant organization with countless opportunities to offer young students and ambitious individuals. Without a doubt it will build up the strongest network of pro-liberty leaders in academia, business and politics for decades to come."

[email protected]

Mariam Gogolishvili

Global Campaigns Associate

Mariam Gogolishvili

Global Campaigns Associate

Bio: Mariam is from Tbilisi, Georgia. She’s a graduate from the Free University of Tbilisi, where she studied governance and social sciences. Since then she has worked for several local and international media outlets as a reporter. 
Within the liberty movement her first and foremost interest is drug policy reform. From 2014 she has been an organizer of a civic campaign “Do Not Arrest” which has been launched against repressive drug policy and lead to decriminalization of cannabis in Georgia. 
She speaks English, Russian and French and is passionate about philosophy, biotechnology and the future of artificial intelligence.
Favorite Figures in Liberty: Frédéric Bastiat, David Friedman, Ross Ulbricht

On Students For Liberty: ““We were born in an extraordinary era; there have been a lot of political and social changes in the world during last decades. Due to Students For Liberty an amazing libertarian youth movement has emerged and is playing a crucial role in defending and promoting liberty worldwide. Thanks to SFL we find ourselves standing united on the right side of history – changing the world to a freer place.”

[email protected]

Michal Šindlář

Web & IT Director

Michal Šindlář

Web & IT Director

Bio: Michal is currently working as the SFL Web & IT Director. He has an undergraduate degree in History and is now completing his master’s degree in Modern History. His second area of interest is online marketing and analytics. Prior to joining SFL, he worked for two years as an online marketing specialist in an online IT agency based in Brno, Czech Republic. Michal got involved with ESFL as a local coordinator in 2014 and joined the executive board a year after that. From 2013 to 2015, he was also the chairman of the Students For Liberty Czech Republic.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Thomas Clarkson, Henry David Thoreau, John Milton, Murray Rothbard

On Students For Liberty: "Students For Liberty is not just about spreading ideas. It is also a global project through which individuals become part of an amazing community and get to know like-minded friends all around the world."

[email protected]

Mike Avi

North American Recruiting Manager

Mike Avi

North American Recruiting Manager

Bio: Mike Avi is the Students For Liberty North American Recruiting Manager. He joined the North American Campus Coordinator program in 2015, became the Southeast Regional Director in 2017, and now a member of staff through the Koch Associates Program. He likes reading science fiction novels and listening to political podcasts. His favorite snack is guacamole.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Henry Hazlitt, Jeremy Bentham, Ayn Rand

On Students For Liberty: "I was a Libertarian before I heard of SFL and joined the group on my college campus; they took me to a regional conference and then to the ISFLC - both in my freshman year. I think the unyielding positivity that the leaders maintained were inspiring and attracted me to be a part of it. The culture that SFL cultivates among its leaders makes me proud to be a part of of what we do."

[email protected]

Milica Kostic

Global Events Director

Milica Kostic

Global Events Director

Bio: Milica graduated from the Faculty of Political Science, International Relations at the University of Belgrade in 2013. Since 2009, Milica has been a member of Libertarian club Libek, a Serbian think-tank, where she worked as a Communications and Events Manager. She is currently completing her master’s degree at the Faculty of Political Science in Belgrade on a course in Political Theory, Political Sociology and Institutions. She got involved with ESFL as a local coordinator in 2013 after she took part in the organization of the first Regional Conference in Belgrade. After that, she joined the executive board where she served as a Regional Director of the Black Sea Region (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Israel, Turkey and Romania).

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Lysander Spooner, David Friedman

On Students For Liberty: "Since my first encounter with SFL I saw that this organization is different than any other I’ve seen before. SFL creates a network of not only freedom-loving individuals, but also a network of friends around the globe trying to make this world a freer place. I feel privileged to work for a great cause with some of the best people one can hope to meet."

[email protected]

Nathaniel Baker

Director of North American Programs

Nathaniel Baker

Director of North American Programs

Bio: Nate was born and raised in central Mississippi. He took interest in free markets and philosophy while studying economics at Mississippi State University where he founded the Bulldogs for Liberty. In 2015, Nate joined the Campus Coordinator program and interned at the Institute for Humane Studies during the same year. During his volunteer years with SFL, Nate organized numerous conferences and events and helped grow the SFL network in the deep south. Before joining SFL's staff, he worked for a cloud computing company in Raleigh North Carolina. Nate currently serves as the Director of North American Programs and lives in Mississippi with his wife and son.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Ayn Rand, Murray Rothbard, Thomas Sowell, John Allison

On SFL: “No organization has facilitated my intellectual and professional development like SFL has. There is no question that the student landscape across the globe would be profoundly different without the work we do. Thousands of students have been educated and trained through SFL and our student volunteers move our world towards a freer future every day.”

[email protected]

Nazlıcan Kanmaz

Global Education and Training Manager

Nazlıcan Kanmaz

Global Education and Training Manager

Bio: Nazlıcan is from Izmir, Turkey and she finished her undergraduate studies in philosophy at Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey. She also studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Later she finished her graduate degree in Philosophy of the Social Sciences at London School of Economics and Political Science where she studied the effects of markets and society on each other. She has been active in Turkish civil society since 2014—where she has served as International Officer of 3H Movement, the only grassroots liberty-minded youth organization in Turkey. And she is active in academic and political circles as a proud classical liberal since then.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Friedrich August von Hayek, Robert Nozick, J. S. Mill, Christina Bicchieri

On Students For Liberty: "Students for Liberty is an immense opportunity for me to reach out to new people all over the world and not only connect with other liberty-minded people, but also learn from them as fellow travelers on the road to freedom. Ideas of classical liberalism has proven themselves to be robust around the world, and I am incredibly happy to be a part of the SFL family and spread them around the world with such an incredible team!"

[email protected]

Nicole Sanders

Development Officer

Nicole Sanders

Development Officer

Bio: Nicole started her career in the Liberty movement after she read Atlas Shrugged. She then enrolled at Blinn College in Brenham, Texas and started a Young Americans for Liberty(YAL) chapter in February of 2015. Nicole soon became disenfranchised when she learned of unconstitutional speech codes and a free speech area at her college. With the help of The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), she placed a first amendment lawsuit against Blinn College and won in March of 2016. Nicole has been a Texas State Chair for Young Americans for Liberty, a Campus Coordinator for Students for Liberty, the Texas Campus Manager for Our American Initiative. Nicole was the top Field Associate for Americans for Prosperity in Texas in the spring and summer of 2015, and a Field Representative in Central and Northern California for The Leadership Institute.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Ayn Rand, Frederic Bastiat, and Ludwig Von Mises

[email protected]

Nitsa Ioannides

Donor Relations Officer

Nitsa Ioannides

Donor Relations Officer

Bio: Nitsa Ioannides is a born and raised Southern Californian, who is currently working as SFL's Donor Relations Coordinator. She moved to the east coast to pursue her undergraduate degree in Political Science and Pre-Law. While she was in school she worked on political campaigns and got her start in grassroots movements. Since she has moved back to California she has been dedicated to expanding education about the importance of smaller government and a freer future for all. This commitment and strong passion for helping and empowering others has lead her to find SFL. In her free time she enjoys hanging out with her family and friends, eating ice cream, playing tennis, running, and going to the shooting range.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Milton Friedman, Thomas Sowell

On Students For Liberty: "Working for Students for Liberty is an honor unlike any other. The combination of both sincerity within the organization and empowering others, is unmatched. It is a genuine organization that is and will continue to make huge strides in societal changes. SFL enables students to learn and be more confident that there is a freer future and that people can make a difference not only nation-wide, but world-wide."

[email protected]

Nycollas Liberato

Brazilian Programs Associate

Nycollas Liberato

Brazilian Programs Associate

Bio:Nycollas Liberato is a 24 years old International Relations student at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, whose activities within the liberty movement go back to 2013, when he helped in the first activities of Atlantos Institute in Porto Alegre. Nycollas holds a Bachelor's degree in Military Sciences from the Agulhas Negras Military Academy and was the Director of Development of Atlantos Institute, responsible for its expansion and people's management; Vice-President at Atlantic Junior Consultancy; former President at Entrepreneurship and Liberty Club, as well as State Coordinator in his state.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Friedrich Hayek, Israel Kirzner, Milton Friedman, Robert Nozick and Ludwig Von Mises.

On Students For Liberty: "Students For Liberty has the power to give people the most amazing objective possible: the pursuit of freedom."

[email protected]

Olufemi Ogunjobi

African Programs Associate

Olufemi Ogunjobi

African Programs Associate

Oluwafemi Ogunjobi graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria in 2014, and he is a committed advocate for liberty. He came across Students For Liberty in Lagos, Nigeria, through Alexander McCobin who gave him one of Tom Palmer’s books: ‘Politicians, Dependence, and The Bubble That Broke The World Economy’. There, he invited him to the 2013 West African Students For Liberty Regional Conference at the University of Ibadan.

Reading through the gift, Oluwafemi was moved by Palmer’s first introductory paragraph where he wrote: ‘‘Young people today are being robbed. Of their rights. Of their freedom. Of their futures. The culprits? My generation and our predecessors, who either created or failed to stop the world-straddling engine of theft, degradation, manipulation, and social control we call the welfare state.’’

This spurred his interest to study more, and join the network in promoting the ideas that lead to a freer society. Early 2014, he co-founded a chapter of African Liberty Students Organization (ALSO) alongside four colleagues on campus. He has helped in spreading the ideas of liberty through frequent articles in national dailies and international blogs, and also through discussion panels and book fairs.

A freelance journalist and Editor, he is Nigeria’s Correspondent to Commonwealth, where he shares ideas with young minds from across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and the Pacific.

Ogunjobi, a Young Voices Advocates, is also a Guest Contributor on World Review, a global media that provides analysis and insights on world affairs, written by leading global experts in politics, economics, defense & security and energy.

Favourite figures of liberty: Ayn Rand, Frederic Bastiat, George Ayittey.

On Students For Liberty: ‘’Since I came in contact with SFL in July 2013, I have been able to understand the connection between free markets, liberty, and as well the creation of a character that makes a free society work’’

[email protected]

Olumayowa Okediran

Director of International Programs (Africa & Asia)

Olumayowa Okediran

Director of International Programs (Africa & Asia)

Bio: Olumayowa graduated from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria in 2013 and is a committed advocate of liberty. In 2010, he came across the works of Frederic Bastiat, Bruno Leoni and Ludwig von Mises, and developed an appetite for the study of the ideas that lead to a free society. In 2010, he co-found the African Liberty Students’ Organization (ALSO) and served as the vice president for strategy at the first ALSO chapter in his school. Olumayowa has been instrumental in the establishment of the student movement for liberty across Africa. In 2011 he became an ALSO Outreach Assistant and was responsible for ALSO’s expansion in English-speaking African countries.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Frederic Bastiat, Bruno Leoni, Ludwig von Mises

On Students For Liberty: "I came across SFL in 2010 just after the establishment of ALSO and I have been so impressed by the high level of professionalism exhibited by SFL leaders, the sheer enthusiasm they exhibit is outstanding. Joining the SFL team has been a wonderful experience."

[email protected]

Oswaldo Silva Martinez

EsLibertad Leadership Programs Associate

Oswaldo Silva Martinez

EsLibertad Leadership Programs Associate

Bio:  Oswaldo is from Venezuela and has a bachelor’s degree in International Studies from Universidad Central de Venezuela. During his student time he served as teaching assistant to the Chair of Constitutional Law at International Studies School and was elected as student representative in two important bodies of university governing system. In 2014, he became part of the first generation of SFL’s EsLibertad Program, serving as Regional Director for Venezuela during 2016-2017. He is alumnus of LIDERA Program, the largest network of young leaders in his country.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Friedrich Hayek, Carlos Rangel and Jose Luis Cordeiro

On Students For Liberty: "Thanks to SFL I have learned in depth the philosophy of liberty and how to promote ideas in order to make a positive impact in our society. Joining the team have been an enriching experience and I determinate to do my best so we can see the changes in Latin America and the rest of the world."

[email protected]

Oya Flemr

Development Manager

Oya Flemr

Development Manager

Bio: Oya is a Computer Engineer who studied in Istanbul-Turkey. Worked at the biggest corporations as IT sales manager. After many years of the corporate system slavery, she decided corporate life is not for her, she got her yoga certificate and started her own yoga classes for the foreigner community in Czech Republic. Oya lives in Prague-Czech Republic last 9 years.

The idea of liberty was always a big topic for her, but the need for liberty highlightened when she has found out healthcare freedom is a big issue in Czech Republic. When she was pregnant, she has realized only the doctors can decide for her own birth, not herself, and this was not resonating with her. And this drove her to build a community to help the moms and the empower the moms to fight for their medical rights for medical freedom. She still tries to spread this message to her community.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Ayn Rand

On Students For Liberty: “As a spiritual libertarian, I can not express my gratitude to be a part of SFL. A free future is what I want to give to my daughter and I think this is the right place to find likeminded people who value freedom as much as I do...”

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Paige Farrell

Design Associate

Paige Farrell

Design Associate

Bio: Paige has a bachelors of fine art in Communication Design.
She has been working in the design field for about 5 years, and has a rage of experience from fine jewelry retail to health and wellness.
Paige has a passion for creating things, on screen and off - and loves when the two can mesh.
This lead to her personal wedding stationery business. She helps newlyweds discover love for invitation design.
When not designing, she loves to be outside. Tent camping and hiking are her favorite and have been since she was young. She loves traveling, going to concerts and having a good friend or two by her side.

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Raissa Despindola

Brazilian Design Associate

Raissa Despindola

Brazilian Design Associate

Bio: Raíssa is the Brazilian Design Associate at Students for Liberty. She’s a passioned graphic design student in Santa Catarina State University and web design specialist. In 2016 she went to a libertarian conference, fell in love with liberty ideas and stayed in the movement. Raíssa already attended two election campaigns as a graphic designer and her libertarian candidate won both. When she’s not working or sleeping, she likes to visit museums, traveling and going to concerts.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Frédéric Bastiat, Milton Friedman

On Students For Liberty: The SFL offers the opportunity to learn and grow alongside wonderful and intelligent people who stand for the same thing: freedom. I feel proud to be a part of it.

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Robyn Harberger

Senior Director of Communications

Robyn Harberger

Senior Director of Communications

Bio: Robyn Patterson Harberger serves as SFL's Senior Director of Communications, overseeing the design, marketing, and video teams. She has been a part of the SFL team since February of 2014. Robyn joins us after spending five years at the Institute for Justice where she served as the Assistant Director of Production and Design. Prior to her time at IJ, Robyn spent 2 years working at an advertising agency in Lafayette, Louisiana. Robyn is a graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans where she earned a B.A. in graphic design. She began her college years at University of Louisiana at Monroe, where she was a member of the NCAA Division 1 swimming team. Robyn currently resides in Denver, Colorado and spends her spare time looking for any excuse to take a road trip.

 

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Chip Mellor

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Samantha Jorich

North American Events Associate

Samantha Jorich

North American Events Associate

Bio: Samantha is a graduate of West Chester University of Pennsylvania, where she received B.A.'s in Communication Studies & Media and Political Science. She found the ideas of liberty and individual freedom while attending a Students For Liberty meeting on campus. She then went on to become Campus Coordinator and President of her school's Students For Liberty chapter. Now passionate about changing the lives of others through SFL, she joins us as North American Events Associate. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys traveling and meeting new people.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Arthur Brooks, Milton Friedman, Matt Kibbe

On Students For Liberty: "SFL has opened countless doors for me while introducing me to some of the best people I know. I believe in SFL's mission more than any other cause, and the best way to spread this love of liberty is to bring people together from all over the world."

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Victoria Ramirez

EsLibertad Programs Director

Victoria Ramirez

EsLibertad Programs Director

Bio: Victoria Ramírez has a B.A. in political science and international relations at Universidad Casa Grande in Guayaquil, Ecuador. She started her activism career in Students For Liberty almost at the same time she started working on a political project that bases its policy proposals in libertarian ideas. She is a founding member and current national representative of the Latin American Youth Network for Democracy, an activist organization that promotes democracy and human rights, which are two big interests in Victoria’s activism. She is also a member and the curator of the Guayaquil Hub of the Global Shapers community.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: F.A. Hayek, Frederic Bastiat, John Locke, Ludwig von Mises

On Students For Liberty: "More than an organization, SFL is an opportunity for personal and intellectual growth. Not only does it prepare activists to engage in the battle of ideas in favor of liberty during their college and university years, but throughout their lives, which is the only way to hope for a genuinely free society."

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Vladimir Verovchuk

Data Director

Vladimir Verovchuk

Data Director

Bio: Vladimir studied Information Systems and Networks in Lviv Polytechnic National University and previously worked for international web service company. Always keen on self-development, he started exploring the world of Salesforce and joined SFL Team as Data Intern and now serves as Data Director. If he is not near the PC and does not play or mod games, then he is exploring the world by traveling.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: John Locke

On Students For Liberty: “Being a part of SFL is an exciting journey. It is about working with broad-minded individuals, sharing the same values and having the opportunity for personal growth” 

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Yaël Ossowski

Senior Development Officer

Yaël Ossowski

Senior Development Officer

Yaël Ossowski is deputy director for the Consumer Choice Center, and senior development officer for Students For Liberty.

He began at Students For Liberty as a volunteer in Europe in 2013, and later became European Programs Director, senior director, and then senior development officer, organizing large-scale conferences and training programs, fundraising, and overseeing the volunteer activities of hundreds of leaders.

Yaël has worked as a multimedia journalist globally, writing for outlets such as The Washington Examiner, The Huffington Post, South African Business Day, L’AGEFI, The Charlotte Observer, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Arizona Capitol Times, Detroit News, Miami Herald, Human Events, Reason Magazine, American Spectator, The Gaston Gazette, FoxNews.com, and more.

He is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, studied at Concordia University in Montréal, the University of Vienna, and received a Master’s Degree in Philosophy, Politics, Economics (PPE) at the CEVRO Institute in Prague.

Born in Québec and raised in North Carolina, he splits his time between Austria and North Carolina. You can follow his written work on Yael.ca.

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Yusuf Mahmood

North American Programs Associate

Yusuf Mahmood

North American Programs Associate

Bio: Yusuf Mahmood grew up in the Baltimore area, and recently graduated the University of Maryland at College Park with two degrees in economics and philosophy. Within Students For Liberty, Yusuf has previously served as a Campus Coordinator, Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, and Academic Programs Chair. He also interned at liberty-oriented think tanks such as the Cato Institute and the Niskanen Center. He is now a North American Programs Associate at Students For Liberty in North America. In addition to a deep interest in political theory, he is also interested in science, ethics, epistemology, and music. When he isn't reading books or engaging in friendly debates, he likes to play instruments, sing, and go star-watching.

Favorite Figures in Liberty: Milton Friedman, Friedrich Hayek, Henry George, Benjamin Tucker, Frederick Douglass, David Friedman, Voltairine de Cleyre, John Stuart Mill

On Students For Liberty: "It would be no exaggeration to say that SFL changed my life. Of all of the organizations of which I have been a part, SFL has had the greatest impact on me. It has opened up countless professional opportunities, allowed me to meet brilliant people, and helped me grow as a person. I am honored and excited to be a part of this community and movement for liberation."

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