The Heritage Foundation is reaching new audiences in noteworthy places.
President Kay Coles James is one of the “most powerful women in Washington,” according to Washingtonian magazine. James is among a select 150 influential women in government, business, law, education, media, nonprofits, and the arts featured in the October issue.
James’ name appears alongside White House advisers Kellyanne Conway and Ivanka Trump, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, NBC News’ Andrea Mitchell, and CIA Director Gina Haspel.
"An African American woman who started life in public housing and is now president of the nations leading think tank, she's a Washington anomaly," writes Washingtonian.
There’s good reason for James’ inclusion on the prestigious list. Recent travels have taken her across the country, including stops in New York for the U.N. General Assembly meeting. While there, she was a panelist on BBC’s international “World Debate” program at the Bill and Melinda Gates Goalkeepers event.
James used the opportunity to promote Heritage’s free market principles, including the Index of Economic Freedom.
Thanks for shouting out our Index of Economic Freedom, @realdonaldtrump!
— Heritage Foundation (@Heritage) October 2, 2019
Last week @KayColesJames joined #BBCWorldDebate @TheZeinabBadawi and pointed out what Index research makes clear: Economic freedom empowers women—and everyone else—to thrive. pic.twitter.com/boliuL4GG6
Earlier that week, James was the featured interview on C-SPAN’s weekly “Q&A” program. She spoke to C-SPAN co-CEO Susan Swain to answer questions about her life, career, and the future of The Heritage Foundation during an hour-long interview.
James isn’t alone in Heritage’s quest to reach influential audiences.
John Malcolm, vice president of Heritage’s Institute for Constitutional Government, recently spoke on a panel at The Atlantic Festival, an annual event hosted by The Atlantic magazine. Malcolm directs the Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies and is the Ed Gilbertson and Sherry Lindberg Gilbertson senior legal fellow.
Prodigal musician Yo-Yo Ma, retired Gen. Jim Mattis, former U.N. ambassador Susan Rice, and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger were some of the other speakers at this year’s event.
Malcolm participated in a discussion on “The Battle for the Constitution,” moderated by National Constitution Center President Jeffrey Rosen.
The recent debate over firearms has propelled Amy Swearer’s research to the forefront. An expert on the Second Amendment, Swearer reached millions of Americans in her appearance on the daytime television talk show “Dr. Oz” in which she discussed how to use red flag laws while protecting constitutional rights.
Swearer, a senior legal policy analyst in Heritage’s Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, followed that appearance with congressional testimony that went viral for her defense of the Second Amendment.
These opportunities are part of Heritage’s strategy to reach new and influential audiences while continuing to have an impact on public policy debates.
“It’s important that Heritage’s ideas and solutions reach people across America—whether that’s policymakers in the halls of Congress or concerned citizens seeking new ideas,” said Rob Bluey, Heritage’s vice president of communications and executive editor of The Daily Signal. “Reaching theses audiences is crucial when it comes to promoting and advancing our mission.”
The Heritage Foundation is the nation’s most broadly supported public policy research institute, with more than a half-million members. Its mission is to develop and promote public policy solutions that advance free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional values, and a strong national defense.
