Heritage Foundation responds to recent staff changes
The Heritage Foundation has swiftly addressed the vacancies created by recent departures, maintaining a positive outlook despite the loss of scholars to a competing conservative group led by former Vice President Mike Pence.
The organization announced the promotion of Jay Richards to vice president of Social and Domestic Policy. Additionally, Stewart Whitson has been appointed as chief of staff to Heritage President Kevin Roberts, while Peter St. Onge returns as senior economist.
Allen Mendenhall will serve as a research fellow at the Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies alongside his ongoing work with the foundation’s Capital Markets Initiative. Roger Severino, previously a visiting fellow at the DeVos Center for Religion and Civil Society, will take on the role of vice president of Economic and Domestic Policy and manage all legal policy matters temporarily until a new vice president for the Institute for Constitutional Government is recruited.
Despite recent challenges stemming from internal disagreements regarding Mr. Roberts’ leadership style, Heritage expressed optimism about the upcoming year. Mr. Roberts stated, “We are proud to welcome Stewart Whitson and excited to have Jay Richards, Roger Severino, Peter St. Onge, and Allen Mendenhall enter new eras in their Heritage tenure.” He emphasized that Heritage is preparing for significant policy initiatives in 2026 while remaining committed to its conservative mission.
The personnel changes were announced on Christmas Eve following the unexpected resignations of 13 scholars and staff members, including leaders from three major policy divisions. Two individuals were let go prior due to actions deemed inconsistent with Heritage’s standards.
Advancing American Freedom, founded by Mr. Pence in 2021, revealed it had hired these former Heritage employees shortly after their departure.
Before these announcements, Mr. Roberts had informed staff that senior legal fellow Cully Stimson would temporarily lead the Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies; however, both he and Hans von Spakovsky resigned shortly thereafter.
The high-profile exits have placed Heritage under unfavorable media scrutiny. Reports highlighted concerns over its ideological direction since Mr. Roberts took charge in 2021.
Cornell Law School professor William Jacobson remarked that while Heritage remains a powerful institution financially, its influence may wane unless it can regain respect within conservative circles amidst ongoing ideological shifts.
