We are honored to welcome Lawson Bader as State Policy Network’s new board chairman beginning in January 2025. With decades of service and leadership within the freedom movement, his vision for advancing liberty and opportunity will undoubtedly accelerate SPN and our 50-state Network’s ability to improve lives and achieve meaningful impact across the country.
Lawson Bader is president and CEO of DonorsTrust and Donors Capital Fund, where he connects some of the nation’s top philanthropists to causes that fuel their passion and achieve their goals. Before joining DonorsTrust, Bader spent more than 20 years leading free-market organizations, including the Competitive Enterprise Institute and the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.
“Lawson is an innovator who has spent his career championing a long-range vision of American greatness, inspiring us all as our happy warrior,” said Tracie Sharp.
Since joining the SPN board in 2015, Lawson has played a pivotal role in shaping the organization’s strategy. Reflecting on SPN’s growth, he notes, “Today, it’s nothing like it was when we first started collaborating. What was once a small collection of entities has grown into a sophisticated Network capable of responding to the challenges of our time with precision and effectiveness,” he said.
With Carl and Lawson on SPN’s board, our Network has experienced tremendous growth, both in scope and influence. For example, SPN’s Annual Meeting, which began with a modest gathering of a few dozen attendees in 1999, now brings together more than 1,500 individuals from across the nation. Beyond numbers, it’s the sophistication and unity of the Network that truly speaks to how far we’ve come because of Lawson’s leadership.
“Our affiliates no longer see themselves as the JV team and national groups as the varsity,” he emphasizes. “There’s been a mindset shift—state and local organizations now recognize their ability to drive powerful change. They’re leading the way and showing national groups what’s possible.”
This evolution has been marked by significant achievements, including cultivating prominent leaders who have gone on to key roles in government, including the governor’s office and the White House. It is the role SPN and the Network have played in building out the state public interest law community to preserve freedom through the courts. It’s the Network’s focus on the American worker during the pandemic, on returning kids to school, getting people back to work, and protecting civil liberties. It’s regional collaborations, such the Goldwater Institute’s efforts to spread telemedicine to multiple states so patients can quickly and affordably access care, that exemplify the power of collective action.
While Lawson has spent years at DC-based institutions, he sees the unlimited potential of state-level action and has helped philanthropists invest millions in the state-based infrastructure.
“The pace of change is faster at the state level, and there’s a better chance of success,” he explains. “It’s not about waiting for Washington; it’s about empowering voters, communities, and leaders to take ownership of their futures.”
As SPN prepares for the opportunities and challenges of 2025, Lawson has identified several key priorities for the board. These include navigating leadership transitions within the Network, fostering stronger boards of directors, and staying nimble on emerging issues like AI and energy policy. And the recent election results have brought new opportunities to return power from DC to the states and curb federal overreach.
“There’s an entrepreneurial spirit within this community,” he said. “By embracing creative destruction and focusing on real social change, we can ensure that SPN remains at the forefront of driving meaningful progress.”
At the heart of Lawson’s leadership is a steadfast commitment to the founding vision of Thomas Roe.
“We are the United STATES of America,” he reflects. “Our affiliates embody that middle noun, championing the ideals of federalism and citizen empowerment that our founders envisioned. By fostering dialogue, mentorship, and innovation, we remain laser-focused on advancing our mission.”
Thank you, Lawson, for all that you’ve done for the movement and SPN, and we look forward to charting the course forward.
