October 24, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Camille Walsh
Media Relations Director
State Policy Network
(504) 338-8785
walsh@spn.org
State Policy Network’s Rebecca Painter Named Chief Executive Officer of The Policy Circle
Arlington, VA—State Policy Network (SPN) today announced that Rebecca Painter, Senior Vice President, has been named the next Chief Executive Officer of The Policy Circle, a national nonprofit organization that informs, equips, and connects women to be more impactful citizens and influential local leaders. Painter’s appointment was shared during The Policy Circle’s 10-Year Celebration and Leadership Summit in Phoenix, Arizona.
Painter has spent the past 15 years advancing state-based policy and leadership, including a decade at State Policy Network where she built durable coalitions, strengthened SPN’s affiliate partnerships, and led a mission-driven fundraising team that expanded the organization’s reach and impact.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for Rebecca and an exciting new chapter for The Policy Circle,” said Christopher Dauer, President and CEO of State Policy Network. “She has made a lasting impact at SPN—building a strong, mission-driven fundraising team and helping shape the organization’s strategy.
Rebecca is an inspiring and principled leader, and we are deeply grateful for all she has accomplished here. We’re also pleased that her next chapter keeps her close to SPN’s mission. The Policy Circle plays an important role in empowering women to step into leadership and engage in policy at the state and local level. We look forward to continuing our partnership and to seeing all that Rebecca will accomplish at the helm of this exceptional organization.”
Painter expressed gratitude for her time at SPN and enthusiasm for her new role. “I am incredibly grateful for the amazing staff, donors, and affiliates of State Policy Network. My time at SPN has strengthened my resolve that policy solutions are best found at the state and local level. Leading The Policy Circle is an opportunity to continue that mission—advancing policies rooted in personal and economic freedom by empowering women to get engaged in their communities and states.
There’s a growing leadership gap across the country, and The Policy Circle is poised to help close it by equipping women in every city, county, and state. The organization’s work will complement the efforts of my friends at State Policy Network as they build and strengthen Durable Freedom Infrastructure.
In this role, I look forward to partnering with a talented team, generous donors, and an inspiring community of women who are preparing the next wave of civic leaders ready to make a difference.”
Painter will officially begin her new role on January 1, 2026, and will remain at SPN through the end of the year.
About State Policy Network
State Policy Network (SPN) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building and supporting thriving freedom infrastructure across America by working with state and national partners in all 50 states. Through a strategic focus on talent, leadership, innovation, and state-based solutions, SPN partners with independent think tanks and policy leaders to advance liberty, opportunity, and limited government across the country.
Learn more at spn.org or follow SPN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X.