State Policy Network welcomed Pagona Manologlou as Director of Network Relations in the fall of 2022. In this role, Pagona will oversee SPN’s efforts to develop and nurture partnerships with our Network organizations and key partners.

We sat down with Pagona to learn more about her background and what drew her to SPN. Take a look at the interview highlights below, including Pagona’s professional background, the policies she’s most passionate about, and what inspired her to work in the liberty movement.

How did you get involved in the freedom movement? 

My passion for freedom all started when I lived in Greece for college and witnessed how political and social systems that favored cronyism, public unions, and burdensome regulations made everyday life so hard for people. Until then, the government’s role in our lives was never something I had considered.

When I returned to my home state of California, I began my career at Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF). I was unfamiliar about PLF’s work and just looking for a place to grow as a paralegal. It was the greatest stroke of luck I’ve ever had. When I spoke to colleagues about my experience in Greece, they all rushed to introduce me to authors and books about the principles of liberty. After reading John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government, I was hooked. That, coupled with our work helping brave citizens fighting against horrible government overreach reinforced my purpose both professionally and personally — to advance free societies.

Ten years into my career, I resolved that the greatest impact I could have is connecting people to our ideas. This led me to leadership roles launching and building organizations and projects with a focus on reaching audiences outside the freedom movement. These years gave me invaluable insight and experience building strategic partnerships and outreach strategies I will draw on in my role as Director of Network Relations at State Policy Network.

What are you looking forward to most in your role?

SPN, among other things, is a connector, and through my career I’ve seen SPN staff set great examples of how to cultivate and grow long-lasting, fruitful relationships. Now, SPN is taking it a step further by investing in a Network Relations capacity that will aid in maintaining those important relationships and implementing an outreach strategy that helps move our projects and affiliates further. I’m excited and honored to lead the charge. 

If individuals or organizations within our network, or beyond, want to explore how our goals align and ways SPN could be of help to your work, I welcome the conversation.

What current issue or policy is nearest and dearest to your heart?

The right to earn a living and support yourself and your family.  My father was an immigrant and came from Greece as an adult with a skill, wood working, and a desire to make something of himself. The odd carpentry and day labor work kept him going in his new town, Vallejo, California, while he was building a life for himself, and he was eventually able open an antique restoration business that has supported our family for over 40 years (and running). The community he built through that business took care of us, and he took care of his community in return. Doing all I can to preserve the ability for any person to do that in our country is on the forefront of my mind every day.

Tell us about one of your favorite moments at SPN’s Annual Meeting.

My favorite memories are always about the people.  Reconnecting with friends and colleagues who share my passion and dedication to what we do fills me up. We enjoy, motivate, and learn from each other. I leave SPN’s Annual Meeting every year as if I was on a retreat of some sort – energized and ready to keep going.

If you had one piece of advice for others considering a career like yours, what would it be?

Write your own vision and mission statement.  There are lots of opportunities to work in the freedom movement and a multitude of missions and ways to achieve them. But where you’ll do the best work and be the most fulfilled will be based on what you, personally, want to achieve.  So, take the time and write down what you want to see in the world, what you’d like the freedom movement to be doing to get there, and use that as your guide.

Share your inspiration—what resources and sources of information do you find helpful for your work?

I rely a lot on my network to recommend books, articles, podcasts, trainings, etc., but I learn the most from watching people navigate their challenges. No matter where the lesson comes from, I’ve found that the thing that makes any resource valuable is leaving time every day to reflect on what I’m learning and how it applies to my life and career.

When you’re not improving the world at work, where are you likely to be found?

I have a profound connection to Greece and the Greek-American community. I visit my family in Crete often, and when I’m not there I spend time working with Hellenic cultural organizations. I’m particularly passionate about documenting, preserving, and sharing special traditions that could be lost to time such as cooking, needlework, religious traditions, etc.