TFAS was pleased to welcome five new members to our Board of Regents in 2020. These individuals have shown great dedication to the TFAS mission throughout their years of volunteer service and support. Three of the new Regents served as Board of Visitors members for TFAS D.C. Summer Programs, two were members of the same TFAS Public Policy Fellowship class, three are TFAS alumni, and one Regent has two children who attended TFAS programs.
In addition to providing guidance and assistance to reinforce TFAS’s mission, policies, programs and development, the Regents also contribute money to support students. Each summer, at least six students are selected to receive scholarships to attend TFAS’s D.C. Summer Programs, with funds generously provided by TFAS Regents. Along with these new members, 100 percent of Regents supported this scholarship last year, which will be presented to students in summer 2021.
TFAS programs and operations are made possible by generous donors and board members who give their time and energy to make a difference for the rising generation of leaders. This support allows TFAS to offer transformational programming and impact the lives of thousands of young leaders worldwide.
We are excited to have such committed individuals join the Board of Regents and serve TFAS for the next two years.
ANDREA BROWNE-PHILLIPS
Andrea Browne-Phillips ’04, PPF ’07, has been involved with TFAS for nearly 17 years. She first participated in the Public Policy + Economics program track in 2004, where she immediately stood out as an engaged and dedicated student. Browne-Phillips returned to TFAS in 2007 as a member of the inaugural class of TFAS Public Policy Fellows alongside fellow new Regent Joe Lai.
Having spent so much time in TFAS programs, Browne-Phillips realized how vital TFAS’s mission is to the future of our country. She decided to help TFAS in a new capacity as a member of the Alumni Council, a position she held from 2008 to 2014. This position allowed her to reach a wider audience of young leaders and connect with the alumni network.
Additionally, Browne-Phillips has participated in TFAS’s continuing education programs, including a Curriculum of Liberty Seminar on Liberty and Philanthropy. Her extensive experience with TFAS programs positions her as an invaluable new member of the Board of Regents.
Vice President of International and Alumni Programs Michelle Le ’95, ’96 said, “I was thrilled to hear that Andrea was elected to serve on our TFAS Board of Regents. Andrea has been a member of the TFAS family for more than 15 years – first as a student, then as a part of our continuing education programs, and finally as an alumni volunteer. She served on our Alumni Council for years, and her perspective and advice were always so welcome. I know her new colleagues on the Board of Regents will also appreciate her voice, and I know she will continue to advance the TFAS mission in her new role.”
MIKE KREMPASKY
Mike Krempasky ’97 is an alumnus of TFAS’s Public Policy + Economics program track. A longtime supporter and volunteer, he refers to his experience in the TFAS classroom as a launching point for his career.
“TFAS was, simply, the most important and effective springboard in my entire career,” he said. “My summer at TFAS gave me the opportunity, direction and confidence to pursue policy and communications as a vocation.”
For several years, he has volunteered as a mentor to students in the D.C. academic internship programs, sharing his time and advice with rising young TFAS leaders.
Upon his election to the TFAS Board of Regents, Krempasky remarked: “I can think of no organization more worthy of the investment of my time and resources than TFAS, and I can think of no mission more critical today than the development of the next generation of leaders in a free society.”
I can think of no organization more worthy of the investment of my time and resources than TFAS, and I can think of no mission more critical today than the development of the next generation of leaders in a free society.” – Mike Krempasky
JOSEPH LAI
Joseph Lai ’01, PPF ’07, is a 2001 alumnus of the TFAS Public Policy + Economics program and was a member of the inaugural class of TFAS Public Policy Fellows in 2007 along with fellow new Regent Andrea Browne-Phillips.
A native of Burlingame, California, Joe first came to D.C. to participate in the TFAS program during his undergraduate career at the University of California, Berkeley. He later earned a Master of Arts from Yale University.
“Joe is a great addition to the Board of Regents since he’s been actively involved in TFAS for nearly 20 years, and because he is well connected and respected throughout Washington,” said Steve Slattery, executive vice president of TFAS. “He’s the kind of leader our programs strive to develop – an honorable, successful person who works to uphold the values embodied in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.”
“It’s an honor to join The Fund for American Studies’ Board of Regents,” Lai said. “Nearly two decades ago, TFAS opened my eyes to the critical role free markets, individual liberty and the rule of law play in global society. I look forward to helping TFAS share this knowledge with the next generation of public policy leaders around the world.”
SEAN REDMOND
With 15 years of volunteer service to TFAS, Sean Redmond makes an excellent addition to TFAS’s Board of Regents as one of the impressive individuals who support our mission and programs.
Redmond originally became involved with TFAS in 2006. At the time, he was working at the Department of Labor with Karen Czarnecki ’88, who convinced him to mentor TFAS students participating in the Washington, D.C., summer programs.
“I’ve mentored many students over the years and always enjoy getting to know them,” Redmond shared. “It is fun to share some of my experiences but also learn from them. I have even developed good friendships with some of them that have lasted for years after they were in the program.”
Redmond is excited about continuing to support TFAS in its mission of developing honorable leaders and feels his new position will better enable him to do this.
TFAS’s mission is not only vital, but perhaps more important now than when it was founded.” – Sean Redmond
“This year marks my 15th anniversary being involved with TFAS, so I am especially pleased to serve in this new role and honored to be asked,” Redmond said. “I look forward to helping any way I can because TFAS’s mission is not only vital, but perhaps more important now than when it was founded.”
KELLY JOHNSTON
Although Kelly Johnston is not a TFAS alumnus himself, he has dedicated nearly 20 years to TFAS through volunteering. His connection to TFAS can be traced back to 1995, when he served as the secretary of the Senate for the 104th Congress, the position through which he first became associated with TFAS by assisting students with internships in the U.S. Capitol. He notes that helping TFAS students through this position is one of the highlights of his career.
Upon transitioning to the private sector, Johnston continued to help TFAS students by serving as a guest lecturer and hosting small group lunches. He also served for more than a decade on the Board of Visitors for the Business + Government Relations program track.
Johnston believes wholeheartedly in TFAS’s vision of winning over each new generation to the ideas of liberty, limited government and free markets. He said, “TFAS is the best summer internship program in Washington for the character and values it instills in our future generation of leaders. Nothing else comes close.”
TFAS is the best summer internship program in Washington for the character and values it instills in our future generation of leaders. Nothing else comes close.” – Kelly Johnston
In addition to his volunteer service, Johnston encouraged both his sons to participate in our summer academic internship programs, which serves as a testament to his confidence in the TFAS mission.
“The need for its terrific programs has never been greater, and its role in preserving and promoting our values, understanding our history, and embracing our liberty has never been more important,” he said.