Chris Dauer Officially Assumes Role as State Policy Network President and CEO

Today marks Christopher S. Dauer’s first official day as President and CEO of the State Policy Network. Dauer succeeds Tracie Sharp, who will remain with SPN in a strategic advisory role after more than two decades of leadership.

In January, Sharp announced her decision to transition to a new role—sparking a nationwide search that led to the appointment of Chris Dauer in early August.

Dauer brings decades of experience in nonprofit and private-sector leadership to SPN, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Program Advancement Officer at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University.

There, he led organization-wide strategy, advancement, and operations, reporting directly to former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. During his time at Hoover, Dauer oversaw record growth in revenue and institutional notoriety as the organization’s research reached more Americans than ever. Prior to his work at Hoover, Dauer held executive roles in Silicon Valley, scaling growth-stage ventures and building collaborative teams in innovation-driven medical tech environments that produced essential medical devices that improved the quality of life for patients across the world.

“Chris’ experience in accelerating and scaling both nonprofit and for-profit enterprises, coupled with his strong commitment to American federalism and leveraging the power of the 50 state Network to achieve enduring policy wins in the states, make him uniquely prepared to lead State Policy Network into this new season of growth and opportunity,” said Lawson Bader, Chair of SPN’s Board of Directors.

The appointment comes as SPN moves into the next phase of its long-term strategic objectives, which focus on defending federalism from an often-overreaching federal government and building Durable Freedom Infrastructure in the states by investing in the people, ideas, and state solutions that shape public policy. Dauer brings a collaborative leadership style, fundraising leadership experience, and a vision aligned with the Network’s mission to advance and defend liberty in the states.

“I am honored to join the talented team at State Policy Network and build on the incredible legacy that Tracie and the Board have shaped,” said Dauer. “This Network is doing the most vital policy and civil society work in America—empowering citizens, equipping leaders, and advancing freedom from the ground up. I look forward to listening, learning, and supporting the Network as we write its next chapter together.”

After Chris was named President and CEO, The Wall Street Journal’s Kimberly Strassel noted:

“Congrats to Chris Dauer, the newly announced president and CEO of the State Policy Network, the umbrella nonprofit that supports and connects free-market think tanks and policy outfits across the country. Dauer comes to SPN after nearly 15 years at the Hoover Institution, and will take over for Tracie Sharp. SPN has been central to state advances in tax reform, school choice, federalism, and much more, and SPN says Dauer was chosen for his ‘builder’s mindset.’ So watch that space.”

The news drew attention from other outlets as well, including National Review, which added:

“It’s a major announcement for champions and advocates of federalism: Christopher Dauer, the Hoover Institution’s chief operating officer, today was named the new president and chief executive officer of State Policy Network (SPN), the highly regarded and consequential national organization heralded for its spearheading of cooperative efforts among state-based, liberty-defending, free-market, and federalism-loving think tanks and policy laboratories.”

With Dauer now officially at the helm, SPN is positioned to build on its legacy and expand its impact in the states for years to come.

Chris shared his vision for SPN at our 33^rd Annual Meeting in New Orleans—watch his remarks below.

Watch Here.

Chris Dauer Officially Assumes Role as State Policy Network President and CEO

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