Connor Boyack is the founder and president of the Libertas Institute, a Utah-based think tank that advances individual liberty, free enterprise, and educational innovation. He is best known as the author of The Tuttle Twins series—a collection of bestselling children’s books that teach the principles of freedom, entrepreneurship, and personal responsibility to millions of young readers worldwide. A serial entrepreneur and civic reformer, Boyack has helped change dozens of state laws expanding school choice, privacy rights, and economic opportunity. His work reflects a lifelong mission to empower citizens—especially the next generation—to think independently and build a freer, more self-reliant society.

Dr. Orphe Divounguy is a macroeconomist on the Zillow Economic Research team, where he analyzes national and local data to explain how the U.S. economy shapes housing markets. Orphe is also the founder of Quantitative Research Group, a consulting firm, and the co-host of the Everyday Economics podcast. Previously, he served as Chief Economist at the Illinois Policy Institute, developing quantitative methods to evaluate public policy and economic reforms. Orphe is a frequent commentator on CNBC, Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg and other national outlets. He lives with his wife and two children in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina.

John Tillman is the founder and CEO of Hall of Giants, a cultural initiative dedicated to celebrating entrepreneurs and their role in advancing the human condition. The Hall of Giants will be a state-of-the-art museum campus combining immersive exhibits, world-class entertainment and educational programs that reconnect the public with the men and women whose ideas built our prosperous world.

In addition to his work on the Hall of Giants, John has founded and led numerous organizations advancing liberty and free enterprise including as CEO of the American Culture Project. He is widely recognized for building the Illinois Policy Institute, where he served as CEO from 2007 to 2020 and as chairman of the board for 19 years, into one of the most impactful state-based think tanks in the country. As well, John revived the Franklin News Foundation, whose national reporting reaches millions of readers daily through its flagship wire service, The Center Square, and cofounded the digital marketing agency Iron Light.

John also founded and chaired the Liberty Justice Center from 2011 through 2020, where he helped lead efforts culminating in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME in 2018, which ended mandatory union fees for public employees.

His 2026 book, The Political Vise, explores his theory of public policy advocacy.

Today, John’s work is increasingly focused on building a new American civic institution in the Hall of Giants in order to highlight the enduring importance of entrepreneurship, innovation, and freedom.

Amity Shlaes is a bestselling author and historian known for her work on economic history and the moral lessons of American leadership. She is the Chair of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation and author of influential books including The Forgotten Man, Coolidge, and Great Society, which have shaped public understanding of the Great Depression, the New Deal, and twentieth-century U.S. policy. A former columnist and editorial board member at the Wall Street Journal, Shlaes has spent her career examining how ideas, incentives, and individual character drive national prosperity. Her work underscores the enduring link between economic freedom, civic virtue, and the American promise of opportunity.

Chris Rufer is the founder of The Morning Star Company, the world’s leading tomato processor and a pioneering force in self-management. Since founding Morning Star in 1970 with a single truck, Rufer has built a global enterprise grounded in the principles of individual responsibility, freedom, and accountability—without traditional bosses or hierarchies. His approach to “colleague self-management” has influenced companies and thinkers worldwide, proving that trust and personal integrity can outperform bureaucracy. Beyond business, Rufer is an advocate for entrepreneurship, voluntary cooperation, and the moral foundations of a free society.

Doug Ducey is a proven leader who bridged business and government to drive economic growth and expand opportunity in Arizona. Before serving two terms as governor, Ducey co-founded Cold Stone Creamery, growing it from a single store into a global franchise. In office, he made Arizona a national model for fiscal discipline, school choice, and job creation—balancing budgets, cutting red tape, and attracting record private investment. His blend of entrepreneurial grit and principled governance embodies the spirit of the Hall of Giants.

Dr. Larry P. Arnn has served as President of Hillsdale College since 2000, leading the institution’s rise as a national model for classical liberal arts education rooted in the principles of liberty and civic virtue. A historian and scholar of the American Founding, Arnn previously founded the Claremont Institute and served as Director of Research for Sir Martin Gilbert, the official biographer of Winston Churchill. Under his leadership, Hillsdale has expanded its national influence through online courses, publications, and the Washington, D.C.–based Kirby Center for Constitutional Studies. Dr. Arnn is a steadfast advocate for the enduring connection between education, moral character, and self-government.

Kim Dennis served as president and CEO of the Searle Freedom Trust, a prominent grantmaking foundation established to advance free markets, individual liberty, and public policy reform. With a career in philanthropy spanning more than four decades, Kim has been a force in supporting effective philanthropic leadership and safeguarding donor intent. She began her career in grantmaking at the John M. Olin Foundation and was the first executive director of the Philanthropy Roundtable, where she helped shape its early mission and signature initiatives. Kim co-founded and chairs the board of DonorsTrust, a donor-advised fund dedicated to helping donors support causes that preserve limited government and personal responsibility. In addition to her work with Searle Freedom Trust and DonorsTrust, she serves on the boards of several mission-aligned organizations and is widely respected for her commitment to empowering individuals and institutions that uphold the principles of freedom and enterprise.

Mike Keiser is a visionary entrepreneur and the founder of Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, widely regarded as one of the most influential golf destinations in the world. A former greeting card executive turned developer, Keiser revolutionized modern golf by championing a return to the game’s traditional roots—natural landscapes, walking-only layouts, and designs that honor the land. His “golf as it was meant to be” philosophy has inspired acclaimed courses from Oregon to Scotland and beyond. Beyond golf, Keiser is known for his quiet philanthropy and commitment to environmental stewardship, entrepreneurship, and projects that reflect authenticity, integrity, and enduring value.

Stephen Moore is a nationally recognized economist, author, and commentator known for his work advancing free-market economics and pro-growth policies. A former senior economic advisor to President Donald Trump, Moore helped shape federal tax and energy policy and served as a member of the Wall Street Journal’s editorial board. He is the co-founder of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity, a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation, and the author of numerous books on economic freedom and fiscal responsibility. Throughout his career, Moore has been a leading voice for policies that encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, and the expansion of opportunity.