Christopher S. Dauer serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of State Policy Network (SPN), where he leads the organization’s mission to advance federalism and build Durable Freedom Infrastructure across the country.

Dauer brings decades of leadership experience in both the nonprofit and private sectors. Most recently, he served as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Program Advancement Officer at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, where he oversaw organization-wide strategy, advancement, and operations, reporting directly to former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. At Hoover, Dauer played a central role in strengthening operations, expanding impact through marketing and development, and cultivating enduring partnerships.

Prior to his tenure at Hoover, Dauer held executive roles in Silicon Valley, where he scaled growth-stage ventures and built high-performing teams in innovation-driven environments. His diverse background spans strategic leadership, fundraising, operations, and advancing mission-driven organizations.

Dauer is deeply committed to the principles of federalism and liberty. His vision for SPN is rooted in empowering citizens, equipping leaders, and advancing freedom from the ground up by leveraging the power of the 50-state Network to achieve lasting policy wins.