The Fund for American Studies (TFAS) is thrilled to welcome the new class of the 2024-25 Woodhouse Public Policy Fellowship. The cohort of 20 young professionals are spending nine months exploring the principles of fusionism through thoughtful discussion and debate. From reporters to legislative aides, this year’s Fellows come from a wide range of backgrounds, offering extensive insights.

The 2024-25 Woodhouse Public Policy Fellowship focuses on the question, “What is conservatism?” Fellows delve into post-war conservative thought, examining how influential thinkers like F.A. Hayek, Russell Kirk and Frank Meyer attempted to resolve the tensions between freedom and order in public policy.

I’ve participated in several public policy adjacent fellowships, and the experience The Fund for American Studies’ Woodhouse Public Policy Fellowship offers is by far the most impressive of the bunch.” – Joseph Pitts, PPF ’24

The cohort gathered for the first time in September at TFAS Headquarters for an orientation and welcome reception to connect with TFAS alumni, who shared valuable advice on making the most of the program. The following day, Fellows attended their first academic session, featuring a panel of public policy experts to discuss “The History of the Conservative Movement.” Panelists included TFAS senior scholar Dr. Donald Devine, Jonah Goldberg of the American Enterprise Institute and Richard Reinsch of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin.

Joseph Pitts, PPF ’24, a program coordinator for the American Enterprise Institute’s FREE Initiative, shares the unique experience the Fellowship offers.

“I’ve participated in several public policy adjacent fellowships, and the experience The Fund for American Studies’ Woodhouse Public Policy Fellowship offers is by far the most impressive of the bunch,” Pitts said. “Not only do you study great minds up and down the ages with the guidance of thoughtful teachers — you forge deep friendships with other Fellows, bound together by a shared mission to uncover the permanent things.”

In October, Fellows traveled to Mecosta, Michigan, for a weekend retreat at the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal. At Piety Hill, the ancestral home of Russell Kirk, Fellows experienced firsthand the family, community, and tradition that gave shape to Kirk’s political vision. Fellows explored the life and thought of one of the 20th century’s most influential conservative thinkers, perusing through the Kirk library and listening to stories from Annette Kirk, his widow, about life at Piety Hill. Seminars focused on Kirk’s influential work, “The Roots of American Order.”

Dr. Bradley Birzer, professor of history and the Russell Amos Kirk Chair in American Studies at Hillsdale College and Dr. David Corey, professor of political science in the honors program at Baylor University led discussion sessions at the retreat. Throughout the weekend, Fellows gained a new perspective on the American Founding and the future of conservatism.

In November, TFAS Senior Scholar Dr. Donald Boudreaux of George Mason University led the Fellows in a discussion on “Hayek & the Constitution of Liberty.”

This spring, Fellows will visit the halls of liberty in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to examine the enduring relevance of The Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers in debates surrounding the American republic.

The remaining events include:

• December 10 – “The Political Thought of William F. Buckley Jr.” with Matthew Continetti, American Enterprise Institute
• January 14 – “Frank Meyer’s Defense of Freedom” with Stephanie Slade, Reason
• February 8-9 (Spring Retreat in Philadelphia, PA) – “Constitutional Conservatism” with Jeff Polet, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and Gary Gregg, University of Louisville
• March 11 – “The Enduring Tension” with Donald Devine, The Fund for American Studies
• April 15 – “Röpke & the Humane Economy” with Samuel Gregg, American Institute for Economic Research
• May 13 – Closing Dinner

To learn more about this year’s Fellows, read their biographies below.

2024-25 WOODHOUSE PUBLIC POLICY FELLOWS

Ilana Blumsack

Economic Policy Analyst – Americans for Prosperity

Ilana Blumsack is an economic policy analyst at Americans for Prosperity, where she focuses on housing and fiscal policy. In her role, she helps formulate AFP policy positions and goals on housing and tax policy and advises AFP’s state chapters across the country on achieving those goals. Previously, Ilana worked as a research associate at the Cato Institute, where she assisted Chris Edwards and Scott Lincicome in their research, coauthoring work on state and federal tax policy, labor policy and economic dynamism. Originally from the Boston area, Ilana immigrated to Israel with her family at age 12, where she attended a Hebrew-language Israeli high school and later received her bachelor’s degree in economics and political science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Ilana now lives in Arlington, Virginia, although she is still a die-hard Red Sox fan.

Lauren Collins

Research Assistant – American Enterprise Institute

Lauren Collins is a research assistant at the American Enterprise Institute. At AEI, she assists scholars in the social, cultural and constitutional studies department with their work on civic and liberal education, literature, classics and cultural analysis. Previously, as a member of AEI’s Academic Programs team, she coordinated dozens of seminars and events for undergraduate students to learn about policy and political philosophy from AEI scholars. A California native, Lauren is an alumna of Biola University and its Torrey Honors College Great Books program. She is also an alumna of the John Jay Institute—an ecumenical, residential fellowship focused on the intersection of legal and political theory with theology. Her favorite topics of discussion include philosophical theology, political theology and the humanities more broadly.

Alex Demas

Reporter – The Dispatch

Alex Demas is a reporter at The Dispatch where he covers misinformation in politics, economics and international affairs. Originally from Aspen, Colorado, Alex studied economics and political science at the University of Maryland and received a master’s degree in political economy from King’s College London. Before joining The Dispatch, Alex worked as an investment analyst in Charlotte, North Carolina, and as a financial journalist in London, England.

Michael DiCianna

Senior Consultant – Booz Allen Hamilton

Michael DiCianna is a senior consultant with Booz Allen Hamilton, as well as a researcher with the Yorktown Institute and the Transatlantic Dialogue Center. He studied history and political science at Duquesne University and is now a master of arts candidate at the Institute for World Politics. He is from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Luca Frumento

Associate – Firehouse Strategies

Luca Frumento is an associate at Firehouse Strategies, a public affairs firm based in Washington, D.C. At Firehouse Strategies, Luca executes public affairs campaigns for Fortune 100 companies, prominent trade associations, business coalitions and nonprofits. Previously, he worked as an operations assistant at Hudson Institute. Luca is an alumnus of Hudson Institute’s Political Studies Program, as well as fellowships at the Hertog Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Clemson University, concentrating in classical political philosophy as a Lyceum Scholar and writing his senior thesis on Aristotle’s account of friendship. Luca was also a brother in Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX), the nation’s largest Christian fraternity. Luca grew up in a small town in northern New Jersey and currently resides in Washington, D.C.

Cate Gangemi

Academic Programs Associate – American Enterprise Institute 

Cate Gangemi is an academic programs associate at the American Enterprise Institute. At AEI, she focuses on topics in social, cultural and constitutional studies and facilitates outreach to faculty and undergraduates. She is an alumna of AEI Academic Programs and the Hertog Foundation’s Political Studies Program. Cate received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Clemson University, where she was a Lyceum Scholar. Her interests include Socratic and early modern political thought and American liberal democracy. She is originally from Mendham, New Jersey, and remains a proud defender of the Garden State.

Peter Gattuso

Morning Dispatch Reporter – The Dispatch

Peter Gattuso is a reporter at The Dispatch where he contributes to The Morning Dispatch newsletter. Prior to starting work full time, he interned at The Dispatch, National Review, the Cato Institute and the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Peter graduated from Connecticut College in 2024 with a degree in economics and a pathway in global capitalism. At college, he cofounded a student publication, The Conntrarian and co-hosted a shortly lived podcast. In his spare time, he enjoys playing and watching baseball, listening to music on vinyl records and ranting about the Jones Act. He also enjoys cooking, a skill he picked up thanks to his college’s dining plan. He also enjoys reading, particularly in outdoor scenes and is currently reading through “Frank Herbert’s Dune” he told himself he would finish five months ago.

Edith Harold

Associate Director of Practice Groups – The Federalist Society

Edith Harold is a recent graduate of the University of Dallas where she studied philosophy and German. She now works as an assistant director of Practice Groups at The Federalist Society. Edith grew up in Ohio but was born in D.C., and is happy to return to her roots. In her spare time, she likes to read and run—though never at the same time—and to catch up with her six younger siblings.

Evalyn Homoelle

Content Specialist – CRC Advisors

Evalyn Homoelle is a content specialist at CRC Advisors, where she ghostwrites opinion pieces for a variety of political clients. She recently graduated from Hillsdale College with a degree in politics and journalism, has completed internships with the Heritage Foundation and the United States Senate and is an alumna of the Hudson Institute’s Political Studies Program. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, she now lives in Alexandria, Virginia.

Josiah Johnson

Marketing Specialist – DonorsTrust

Josiah Johnson is an independent nonprofit contractor and marketing specialist for DonorsTrust, a free-market donor-advised fund provider in Alexandria, Virginia. He was previously a research associate in economic policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute. In his role at AEI, Josiah assisted senior fellow James Pethkoukis in his research and writing, produced Mr. Pethokoukis’ podcasts and was managing editor of the institute’s policy blog. He subsequently served as manager of partnerships and projects for The After Party, an initiative dedicated to overcoming political divisions in the landscape of evangelical Christianity. Before coming to D.C., Josiah taught sixth grade history at a classical school in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Yuichiro Kakutani

National Security Legislative Aide – Senator Joni Ernst

Yuichiro Kakutani is a national security legislative aide for Sen. Joni K. Ernst of Iowa. He works on a wide variety of defense and foreign policy issues for the senator, ranging from Middle East policy, defense industrial base policy and economic competition policy. He previously worked as a journalist for the Daily Beast and the Washington Free Beacon, where he covered Chinese influence campaigns targeting the United States. His latest article, which uncovered U.C. Berkeley’s $240 million tie to the Chinese government that exposed taxpayer-funded dual-use technologies to sanctioned Chinese companies, inspired a China Committee investigation. He also previously worked as a China analyst for Freedom House, where he researched Chinese information operations targeting the U.S. media environment. He holds a master’s degree in Asian Studies from Georgetown University and a bachelor’s degree in government and history from Cornell University.

Alec Mena

State Government Affairs Associate – Citizens Against Government Waste

Alec Mena ’19 serves as state government affairs associate for Citizens Against Government Waste, a private, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing more than one million members and supporters nationwide. Alec tracks activities in the state legislatures, highlighting and analyzing wasteful government activity. He also serves as the organization’s liaison with state-based think tanks and policy groups, shedding light on costly public spending and regulation across the fifty states. Originally from Southern California, Alec graduated with high honors from Hillsdale College in 2019, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political economy and is pursuing a master’s degree in public policy at George Mason University.

Jameson Mitrovich

Assistant Editor – Washington Free Beacon

Jameson Mitrovich, PPF ’24, MAF ’24, is from Los Angeles, California, and is an assistant editor at the Washington Free Beacon. He graduated from Claremont McKenna College in 2024, where he studied political philosophy in the government department. His senior thesis, advised by James Nichols and Christopher Nadon, was entitled “Techne and the Problem of Happiness.” In college, he was the managing editor of the Claremont Independent and is an alumnus of the Hudson Institute’s Political Studies program.

John Nagle

Legislative Assistant – Congressman Glenn Grothman

John Nagle is a legislative assistant with the office of Congressman Glenn Grothman of Wisconsin. In his role, John handles the Congressman’s House Budget Committee portfolio as well as tax, trade, housing, Social Security, small business and other issues. Before his time with Congressman Grothman, he worked in government relations at Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions and in fundraising at Stand Together. A native of San Diego, John earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in economics from American University. Outside of work, he enjoys reading, cooking, exercising and spending time with friends and family.

Joseph Pitts

Program Coordinator, FREE Initiative – American Enterprise Institute

Joe Pitts is a first-generation Arizonan currently serving as the program coordinator for the American Enterprise Institute’s FREE Initiative, where he works with Ian Rowe to advance the role of schools, families, small businesses and faith communities in the development of human agency and potential. Previously, he was a research assistant at AEI, where he focused on higher education reform. He studied business management and civic and economic thought and leadership at Arizona State University’s Barrett, the Honors College, graduating summa cum laude. As an undergraduate, Joe served as the inaugural program director for the Arizona Chamber Foundation’s Junior Fellows program, and co-founded the Western Tribune, a news media nonprofit. Joe is also an accomplished writer, having been published in The Wall Street Journal, National Review, CNN, Deseret News, 1912 and Chamber Business News. He published his undergraduate honors thesis on the stratification of community and associational life in the United States, titled “Conscientious Communitarianism,” with the guidance of Dr. Peter McNamara, Dr. Zachary German, Dr. Yuval Levin and Tim Carney.

Emily Burden Rees

Associate Director – Hertog Foundation

Emily Burden Rees exercises her interest in education working as the associate director at the Hertog Foundation, which offers competitive fellowships to college students and young professionals in political studies, constitutional studies, security studies and the humanities. She found her interest in liberal arts education and classic literature working at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni for three years and her passion for politics, languages and culture from moving around four countries and six states during her childhood. She speaks Finnish and German. Emily is an alumna of the Koch Internship Program, Koch Associate Program, Humanities at Hertog and Pepperdine School of Public Policy’s D.C. Policy Scholars Program and a part of AEI’s Millennial Leadership Network.

Katy Selinger

Chief of Staff – Center for Maritime Strategy

Katy Selinger is the chief of staff at the Center for Maritime Strategy where she works to strengthen American national security through its sea services via research, advocacy and education. Previously, Katy was a professional programs associate at the Alexander Hamilton Society, coordinating various programs for alumni of campus and professional programming. Prior to working at AHS, Katy interned for Congressman Kevin Hern of Oklahoma and Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska and was a research assistant to Lawrence Haas as he authored “The Kennedys in the World: How Jack, Bobby, and Ted Remade America’s Empire.” Alongside her professional commitments, Katy is a leader in the young adult community at St. Ann’s in Washington, D.C. Originally from New Jersey, Katy holds a bachelor’s degree from American University in international studies with a focus in national security. As an undergraduate, Katy was president of the American University College Republicans, a board member of the Alexander Hamilton Society and was a leader in student government.

Aaron Slutkin

Teacher – The Gilman School

Aaron Slutkin is a member of the faculty at Gilman School in Baltimore, Maryland, where he has taught American government, Western literature, U.S. history, world cultures and world religions and coached football and squash. Aaron also serves in the summer as a teaching assistant for Hudson Institute Political Studies, a summer program in Washington teaching political philosophy, politics and literature to undergraduates. In that role, he helps students navigate academic and dorm life, works with elite professors and helps lead the all-fellow Gettysburg Staff Ride. Before returning to teach at Gilman, his alma mater, Aaron graduated from Duke University in winter of 2021, having studied political science, American history and Russian literature. Having studied the effect of the Civil War on American political thought, Aaron is excited to study how WWII and the ensuing peace shaped conservatism. Above all, Aaron looks forward to building fellowship with old friends and new in the Woodhouse Fellowship.

Jordan Smith

Public Affairs and Government Relations Associate – Cogent Strategies

Jordan Smith ’21 brings years of experience working in and around political operations, currently as a public affairs and government relations associate with Cogent Strategies and most recently as the digital content writer for Ron DeSantis for President. Prior to her campaign work, she interned with The Ingram Group, assisting with the state and federal lobbying operations across Nashville, Tennessee and Washington, D.C. Before graduating from Vanderbilt University with bachelor’s degrees in political science, English and education studies, and earning a minor in human and organizational development, Jordan fostered key relationships and supported government officials across Tennessee, serving in the offices of Governor Bill Lee and Congressman Mark Green. Ahead of attending Vanderbilt, she left her hometown of Rome, Georgia as a Georgia Young Author and coauthor of a financial literacy curriculum policy proposal through The University of Georgia Policy Journal. Stemming from her first experience in Washington, D.C., as a fellow with The Fund for American Studies and The Ronald Reagan Institute, Jordan has remained a voice for shaping policy and the political scene as a freelance writer and communications consultant.

Ethan Yang

Legal Associate – Cato Institute

Ethan Yang is a legal associate at the Cato Institute and received his J.D. from the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University and his bachelor’s degree in political science from Trinity College (Hartford). He is also an adjunct research fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research where he co-published a book on US-China Relations titled, “The China Dilemma? Rethinking US-China Relations Through Public Choice Theory” and a research associate at the International Center for Law and Economics. During law school, Ethan focused on antitrust law and clerked at organizations such as the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee – Senator Ted Cruz’s Staff, the Federal Trade Commission, the Pacific Legal Foundation and was a Google Public Policy Fellow. During his undergrad days he helped run a conservative fellowship program known as the Churchill Institute and started a classical liberal equivalent called the Mark Twain Center. He is also involved with Students for Liberty where he runs a monthly happy hour called the D.C. Liberty Policy Happy Hour and won International Student of the Year for his role in exposing the Biden Administration’s suppression of speech during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ethan is passionate about all things economic regulation, tech policy, foreign relations and enjoys exploring the D.C.’s bar and food scene.