As Senior Strategic Advisor to State Policy Network (SPN), Tracie Sharp provides strategic guidance and relationship stewardship to a 200+ member peer network community of independent, non-partisan, free-market allies in all 50 states.

Following 26 years as President and CEO of SPN, and 32 years as a member of the Board of Directors, Tracie now focuses on CEO onboarding and knowledge transfer, donor relationship stewardship, and leadership development across the Network. She works closely with affiliate CEOs and their peer groups, manages the growing affiliate board member peer group, and serves as a strategic bridge between SPN leadership, major donors, and movement partners. Under her previous leadership as CEO, State Policy Network grew from 36 think tanks in 34 states with combined revenues of about $15 million in 1999 to a collaborative Network of over 200 think tank members and partners today, including 65 independent, state-focused think tanks across the country that employ over 1,100 staff, with combined revenues exceeding $224 million.

Background

Tracie helped launch Oregon’s market-oriented state think tank, Cascade Policy Institute, in 1991. Prior to her leadership at Cascade Policy Institute, Tracie worked alongside Washington State radio commentator John Carlson, serving as director of programs at the Washington Institute for Policy Studies in Seattle (now Washington Policy Center). During that time, she was also active in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Puget Sound, and HOPE Worldwide, a volunteer community alleviating poverty on the front lines.

Tracie earned a degree in history from the University of Washington. She, her husband, and her sons live in the San Francisco Bay area. Her family is active in local charitable efforts, including the award-winning e-Soccer and e-Hoops programs, serving special needs children across the Bay Area.