The Bill of Rights Institute Team

Tony Woodlief, Ph.D., President

Tony guides the Bill of Rights Institute in teaching young people the words and ideas of America’s Founders. Previously, Tony was president of the Market-Based Management Institute, where he worked with non-profits to improve their performance using the tools of Market-Based Management.

Prior to that, Tony was president of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, a center for economic research, education and outreach. Before joining Mercatus, Tony was vice president for education projects at the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation, where he worked with university research centers specializing in economics, entrepreneurship and social change. Prior to joining the Foundation, Tony was a consultant and facilitator with the MBM® team at Koch Industries.

Tony has a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Michigan, and an MFA in creative writing from Wichita State University. His writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, National Review, The Weekly Standard, The London Times, and WORLD Magazine.

Education Programs Staff

Veronica Burchard, Senior Director of Instructional Design

Veronica serves as editor and chief instructional designer of all the Institute’s instructional materials, including Presidents and the Constitution, Volumes I and II;Property Rights In America; Supreme Court DBQ: Exploring the Cases that Changed History;The Bill of Rights and You: Rights and Responsibilities; Faces of Freedom in American History; The Bill of Rights for Real Life; and Religious Liberty: The American Experiment. She has presented nationally and is a frequent contributor to professional social studies publications. Prior to joining the Institute, Veronica spent seven years in the classroom in Fairfax County, Virginia and Alachua County, Florida, and served as a contributor to Institute instructional materials. Veronica received her Master’s (1996) and Bachelor’s (1994) Degrees in English from the University of Florida. Read Veronica’s posts on A More Perfect Blog.

Veronica is passionate about the Institute’s mission because “I grew up hearing my parents’ stories about the time they left Cuba when Fidel Castro and his communist government took over. Talking with my parents and grandparents, and seeing the way they cherished the freedom and opportunity this country offers, instilled in me an appreciation for the way our Constitution protects the liberty of citizens to follow their dreams and pursue their own destinies. We have the right – and the responsibility– of self-government, and working at the Bill of Rights Institute makes me feel that I am helping make our American experiment a success.”

Gennie Westbrook, Director of Professional Development

Gennie leads the Institute’s Professional Development programs that consist of over 100 constitutional seminars for teachers around the nation annually. Prior to the Institute, Gennie spent 32 years as a teacher of U.S. History, AP U.S. History, We the People advanced U.S. Government, World History, Geography, Sociology, and other social studies courses at Calhoun High School in Port Lavaca, Texas. She also often served as a presenter at Texas Law-Related Education conventions and workshops. Gennie is a 2000 Madison Fellow, and received her Master’s in Political Science from Virginia Tech’s online program in 2003. Gennie received her Master’s in Education with certification in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Houston-Victoria, and her Bachelor’s Degree in Education with composite Social Studies certification from Texas State University in San Marcos. Read Gennie’s posts on A More Perfect Blog.

Gennie is glad to work here because of her own teaching experience with our curriculum. “As a former teacher, I love sharing resources that I know to be useful and valuable because I used them myself in the classroom.”

Derik Dupont, Director of Sales & Product Marketing

Derik is responsible for promoting the Institute’s curriculum and programs to school teachers, managing the National Educator Outreach, and identifying new markets for the Institute. Derik’s experience includes sales management positions at The Washington Post and AOL. He has a Master’s degree in Publishing from George Washington University and a Bachelor’s degree in History and Classical Civilization from the University of Illinois, Champaign – Urbana.

Derik was drawn to the Institute because “I believe in its mission and my role gives me the opportunity to apply both my education and experience in a practical way, every day. My role also affords me the ability to work with a group of fantastic co-workers, and collectively, we help shape the future of teaching about America’s founding to the next generation of Americans.”

Andy Gillette, Director of Program Development

Andy Gillette is the Director of Program Development, and is a public speaker that presents on topics such as economic freedoms, non-profit management, and ethical business practices.  After starting and managing Effective Tutoring, Inc., Andy worked as a Program Manager and Instructor at the Charles Koch Institute, where he taught numerous classes ranging from classical-liberal philosophy and Austrian economics to Market-Based Management®, a management philosophy that applies the principles of free societies within the organization.  Andy graduated from Wichita State University (whose mascot is a shock of wheat) with degrees in English literature and entrepreneurship. He lives with his wife, Genevieve, in Washington, D.C.

Philips Dickerson, Associate Director of Professional Development

Philips travels across the nation giving presentations on the Bill of Rights Institute curriculum and Founding principles to teachers attending our seminars. Before coming to the Institute, he spent 13 years as a teacher of Civics & Economics, World History, Current Affairs, British History, and other social studies courses at several diverse high schools in Florida and North Carolina. He also chaired the debate teams and worked in several extra-curricular efforts to improve education. Philips received his Bachelor’s from Washington and Lee University.

Philips’ favorite book on the Founding is Founding Friendship, by Stuart Leibiger. “So much of history is told from a perspective of “they did x”; but teaching history is all about stories, and stories show who people are and why they did the “x”. Stuart’s book does a wonderful job of showing the personalities and essential “humanness” of James Madison and George Washington, while giving a window into why each man made the crucial decisions that helped found our Republic.”

Marianne Scott, Manager of Professional Development

Marianne is responsible for all logistical details for the Institute’s professional development seminars for teachers. Marianne has planned over 300 event days during her time at the Institute. Marianne received a degree in Political Studies from Gordon College, where she graduated summa cum laude.

Marianne is happy to be at the Institute because of all the positive results she can produce here. “I started working at the Institute 4 years ago, and enjoy putting together the pieces of our many teacher programs, and collaborating the coworkers, scholars, and teachers needed to make the programs a success. It has been gratifying seeing the fruit come from so many of those initiatives in the growing reach of the Institute’s influence and reputation for excellence among social studies teachers.”

Samantha Coombs, Manager of eCommerce and Customer Relations

Samantha works with the Sales team to coordinate payment, inventory, and transaction information. She worked with the Institute a member of the Koch Intern Program in summer 2010 and graduated magna cum laude from Utah State University with a degree in Political Science and a minor in History in 2009.

Samantha’s favorite founder is John Adams. She says: “He was a lawyer, politician, diplomat, philosopher, president, and patriot who was relentless in his efforts to secure independence for America, as well as establish America’s credibility abroad after the Revolutionary War. I have always admired his tenacity, bluntness, and intelligence and believe his contributions to public service played a critical role in America securing its Independence.”

Michelle Griffes, Manager of Programs and Curriculum Development

Michelle assists in planning professional development seminars including developing itineraries, making travel arrangements, managing database information, and other logistical operations. Michelle graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Social Science–Public Policy Studies. She received K-12 Teacher Certification in Social Studies, History, and Political Science from Olivet College. Prior to working at the Institute, Michelle interned on Capitol Hill and worked as an elementary teacher in North Carolina and Virginia. She is originally from Grand Ledge, Michigan.

Michelle’s favorite Founder is Mercy Otis Warren. “While she was the wife of a Congressman and sister of a prominent patriot, she had a place in history all her own. Warren corresponded with John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and other Founding Fathers throughout her life regarding important political issues about the burgeoning republic. Although she had no formal education, she made her opinions known to the world through satirical plays and propaganda, poetry, and later through such books as Observations on the New Constitution and History of the Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution. She is not as well-known as some of the other characters of the revolutionary era, but, in my opinion, she was as influential.”

Robert Chapman-Smith, Instructional Design Associate

Robert joined the Institute in January 2011 as a Communications Intern through the Charles G. Koch Foundation Internship Program. His responsibilities at the Institute include contributing to A More Perfect Blog, assisting with eLessons, and working on our curriculum design team. Robert graduated from Hampden-Sydney College in 2010 with a B.A. in Philosophy and a Minor in Rhetoric. Read Robert’s posts on A More Perfect Blog.

Robert is excited about his job because “Introducing people to the ideas of liberty and limited government cannot wait until college—by then it is often too late. The Institute is an organization that works to get the Founding documents and principles in front of high-school and even elementary students, which, to me, is the most important thing I can be doing with my life.”

Development Staff

Emily Rose, Vice President of Development

Emily works with the Development team to build and strengthen the Institute’s relationships with its investors. She graduated from Bethel College with degrees in Economics and Business Administration, and completed the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation’s Associate Program in May of 2010. Prior to being at the Bill of Rights Institute, Emily interned at the U.S. Department of Labor and on Capitol Hill. She was born and raised in Dorr, Michigan.

Emily’s enthusiasm for the Institute’s mission can be traced back to how she recalls her own education. “My junior-year government final was to lobby my state or federal representatives for a project that would benefit my community. The lesson: government is a piggy bank that provides for our needs, and even our wants. I’m certain I’m not the only high-school junior that was inculcated with this point of view. And this is why I work at the Institute. I strongly believe that our work here is key to ensuring that America remains a free and prosperous society.”

Erin Hymel, Director of External Relations 

Erin works with the Development team to create, cultivate, and strengthen the Institute’s relationships with individual investors throughout the United States. She currently resides in New Orleans, Louisiana. Erin brings over eleven years of experience working in nonprofit organizations having served as Director of Development at the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, Director of Donor Relations at the Bill of Rights Institute, Director of Corporate Relations for the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, and Associate Director of the Mercatus Center’s Regulatory Studies Program. Additionally, Erin worked in domestic policy for several years at The Heritage Foundation, where she focused predominantly on energy, environmental, and regulatory issues. Erin is originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and holds both a BA in political science and a BA in history from Louisiana State University.

Greg Ayers, Director of Development

Greg joins the Institute as part of the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation Associate Program and supports the Development team with donor engagement, communication, and events. Greg graduated from Wheaton College in 2009 with a degree in Political Science and a minor in English.

Greg enjoys his work at the Institute because “In today’s entertainment driven, media saturated culture, I’m interested in finding ways to cut through the clutter and develop engaged, informed citizens. I work at the Institute because I am passionate about promoting solutions to the need for solid civic education among today’s youth.”

Ken Andersen, Grants Manager

Ken works on the Development team to support and build the Institute’s relationships with its foundation investors. He most recently worked at the Mercatus Center and the Institute for Humane Studies on their development team as a part of the Charles G. Koch Associate Program. He received his Bachelor of Science in economics and a double major in management from Virginia Tech.

Ken works at the Institute because of the power it has to impact America’s future. “The direction of our country is not looking good. I work here because I believe the mission at the Institute addresses this issue, and has room to grow and address it further. After working at the Institute for Human Studies and the Charles G. Koch Foundation, I believe the Bill of Rights Institute can be a great asset to educate young people about the Founding documents.”

Rupert Munro, Development Associate

Rupert joins the Institute as part of the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation Associate Program and supports the Development team with donor outreach and communication. Rupert graduated from the College of Charleston, SC in 2010 with a degree in Economics.

Communications Staff

Rachel Gillespie, Director of Communications

Rachel joined the Bill of Rights Institute in June of 2008 as part of the Charles G. Koch Charitable Foundation Associate Program. She is responsible for the writing, designing, and distributing marketing materials and leads all media outreach. Rachel graduated from Grove City College in May of 2008 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies. Read Rachel’s posts on A More Perfect Blog.

Rachel admires Thomas Jefferson more than any other Founder. She says: “My favorite Founder is Thomas Jefferson, because of his great contributions to religious liberty in the United States. I appreciate his unwillingness to compromise on this value.”

Operations Staff

Linda Cornish, Chief Operating Officer

Linda is responsible for overall operations and growth for the Institute. Previously, Linda was Vice President of Member Development at the Greater Memphis Chamber and Management Consultant at Arthur Andersen and Hitachi Consulting. Linda holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of California at Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of California at Riverside.

Of all the Founders, Linda most admires George Washington. She says: “He was a great leader who had tremendous integrity, humility, and intellect. He understood that as the first President he set the tone of our country with his words, actions, and decisions. Lastly, he embodied the concept of a country governed by its people by self limiting his time as President.”

Chelsea Ellis, Executive Assistant & Office Manager

Chelsea is the first point of contact for guests to the Institute, assists with general bookkeeping, office operations, and helps the Education Programs team with travel arrangements, shipping materials to conferences, and maintaining database records. Chelsea is a former elementary school teacher focused on special education. She has a Bachelor’s degree in History from University of North Texas.

Chelsea enjoys her job because “I love helping teachers become more effective when they instruct students about the Constitution and the Founding principles.”

Tana M Janson, Receptionist

Tana is the first point of contact for guests to the institute and helps with all of the basic office organization and administrative duties. She majored in Business and Photography at Utah State University and has worked in various administrative duties around D.C. before joining the Institute team and does entrepreneurial work as a part time seamstress and clothing designer.

Having grown up with a father who is a teacher, Tana says “I feel closely connected to teachers and am always impressed with the massive influence they have while teaching the youth of our country. Our Founders had great vision of our amazing country’s potential, and I want to help young people appreciate the protections and wisdom expressed in the founding documents so that we too can defend the liberties that our fore-fathers sacrificed so much for.  I enjoy being part of a team that reaches out to help those who hold the future in their hands through our teacher programs and through our student programs.”