Conference Speaker Bios
Michael R. Pence was born in Columbus, Indiana, on June 7, 1959, one of six children born to Edward and Nancy Pence. As a young boy he had a front row seat to the American Dream. After his grandfather immigrated to the United States when he was 17, his family settled in the Midwest. The future Vice President watched his Mom and Dad build everything that matters—a family, a business, and a good name. Sitting at the feet of his mother and his father, who started a successful convenience store business in their small Indiana town, he was raised to believe in the importance of hard work, faith, and family.
Vice President Pence set off for Hanover College, earning his bachelor’s degree in history in 1981. While there, he renewed his Christian faith which remains the driving force in his life. He later attended Indiana University School of Law and met the love of his life, Second Lady Karen Pence.
After graduating, Vice President Pence practiced law, led the Indiana Policy Review Foundation, and began hosting The Mike Pence Show, a syndicated talk radio show and a weekly television public affairs program in Indiana. Along the way he became the proud father to three children, Michael, Charlotte, and Audrey.
Growing up in Indiana, surrounded by good, hardworking Hoosiers, Vice President Pence always knew that he needed to give back to the state and the country that had given him so much. In 2000, he launched a successful bid for his local congressional seat, entering the United States House of Representatives at the age of 40.
The people of East-Central Indiana elected Vice President Pence six times to represent them in Congress. On Capitol Hill he established himself as a champion of limited government, fiscal responsibility, economic development, educational opportunity, and the U.S. Constitution. His colleagues quickly recognized his leadership ability and unanimously elected him to serve as Chairman of the House Republican Study Committee and House Republican Conference Chairman. In this role, the Vice President helped make government smaller and more effective, reduce spending, and return power to state and local governments.
In 2013, Vice President Pence left the nation’s capital when Hoosiers elected him the 50th Governor of Indiana. He brought the same limited government and low tax philosophy to the Indiana Statehouse. As Governor, he enacted the largest income tax cut in Indiana history, lowering individual income tax rates, the business personal property tax, and the corporate income tax in order to strengthen the State’s competitive edge and attract new investment and good-paying jobs. Due to his relentless focus on jobs, the state’s unemployment rate fell by half during his four years in office, and at the end of his term, more Hoosiers were working than at any point in the state’s 200-year history.
As Governor of Indiana, Vice President Pence increased school funding, expanded school choice, and created the first state-funded Pre-K plan in Indiana history. He made career and technical education a priority in every high school. Under Vice President Pence’s leadership, Indiana, known as “The Crossroads of America,” invested more than $800 million in new money for roads and bridges across the state. Despite the record tax cuts and new investments in roads and schools, the state remained fiscally responsible, as the Vice President worked with members of the Indiana General Assembly to pass two honestly balanced budgets that left the state with strong reserves and AAA credit ratings that were the envy of the nation.
It was Indiana’s success story, Vice President Pence’s record of legislative and executive experience, and his strong family values that prompted President Donald Trump to select Mike Pence as his running mate in July 2016. The American people elected President Donald Trump and Vice President Pence on November 8, 2016. President Donald Trump and Vice President Pence entered office on January 20, 2017.
In February 2021, Vice President Mike Pence joined the Heritage Foundation as a distinguished visiting fellow. The Heritage Foundation helped shape Vice President Mike Pence’s conservative philosophy for decades and played a pivotal role advancing conservative policies throughout the Trump Administration. Vice President Pence also joined Young America’s Foundation as the Ronald Reagan Presidential Scholar. Long before Mike Pence became Vice President to President Donald Trump, the vision and leadership of Ronald Reagan inspired his youth.
Vice President Mike Pence remains grateful for the grace of God, the love and support of his family, and the blessings of liberty that are every American’s birthright.
The Hon.Tom Corbett is a distinguished executive in residence at the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University. The former governor most recently served as an adjunct professor at the law school.
As the commonwealth’s 46th governor, Corbett held Pennsylvania’s highest office from January 18, 2011 through January 20, 2015.
Corbett has a long and distinguished career serving citizens as assistant U.S. attorney, U.S. attorney, chair of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Pennsylvania attorney general, and governor. Corbett has also served as a key advisor to U.S. presidents and governors.
Corbett received his undergraduate degree from Lebanon Valley College and his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law. He served his country as a member of the Pennsylvania National Guard 28th Infantry Division from 1971 until 1984, rising from private to captain. He and his wife are the parents of two adult children and grandparents of six.
The Hon. Paul J. McNulty ’80 is the ninth president of Grove City College. Prior to returning to his alma mater, McNulty spent over 30 years in Washington, D.C., as an attorney in public service and private practice.
In 2006, the United States Senate unanimously confirmed McNulty to the position of Deputy Attorney General, the second in command at the U.S. Department of Justice and the Chief Operating Officer of the department’s 100,000 employees. He also served from 2001 to 2005 as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia and was a leader in our nation’s response to the terrorist attacks of September 11.
McNulty also worked for more than 10 years as a senior attorney in the U.S. Congress, including as Chief Counsel and Director of Legislative Operations for the House Majority Leader and Chief Counsel for the House Subcommittee on Crime.
From 2007 to 2014, McNulty led the global corporate compliance and investigations practice for Baker McKenzie, one of the world’s largest law firms. McNulty has been recognized for his expertise in business ethics, corporate governance, and internal investigations, including being twice named by Ethisphere magazine as one of the “100 Most Influential People in Business Ethics.”
McNulty received Grove City College’s Alumni Achievement Award in 1998 and an honorary doctorate in 2007. From 2004 to 2014, he served on the College’s Board of Trustees. In 2003, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree (LLD) from Capital University School of Law where he received his juris doctorate degree in 1983. He served for 28 years as an elder in McLean and New Hope Presbyterian churches, and now serves on the board of The Trinity Forum and chairs the Getty Music Foundation.
McNulty met his wife Brenda (Millican ’80) at Grove City College. They have been blessed with four children and five grandchildren.
Yuval Levin is the director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where he also holds the Beth and Ravenel Curry Chair in Public Policy. The founder and editor of National Affairs, he is also a senior editor at The New Atlantis, a contributing editor at National Review, and a contributing opinion writer at New York Times.
At AEI, Dr. Levin and scholars in the Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies research division study the foundations of self-government and the future of law, regulation, and constitutionalism. They also explore the state of American social, political, and civic life, focusing on the preconditions necessary for family, community, and country to flourish.
Dr. Levin served as a member of the White House domestic policy staff under President George W. Bush. He was also executive director of the President’s Council on Bioethics and a congressional staffer at the member, committee, and leadership levels.
In addition to being interviewed frequently on radio and television, Dr. Levin has published essays and articles in numerous publications, including Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, The Atlantic, and Commentary. He is the author of several books on political theory and public policy, most recently American Covenant: How the Constitution Unified Our Nation – and Could Again (Basic Books, 2024).
He holds an MA and PhD from the Committee on Social Thought at the University of Chicago.
Marc Thiessen writes a column for The Washington Post on foreign and domestic policy. He is a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and the former chief speechwriter for President George W. Bush. He is a Fox News contributor.
Jay Cost is the Gerald R. Ford nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where he focuses on political theory, Congress, and elections. He is also a visiting scholar at Grove City College and a contributing editor at the Washington Examiner.
Dr. Cost’s interests are broadly focused on civic republicanism in the United States, with emphases on the political theory of James Madison, the problem of political corruption, the role of political parties, the development of civic institutions over time, and the power and responsibility of Congress. He writes and speaks frequently on American elections, with a special attention on placing contemporary trends in historical context.
His books include James Madison: America’s First Politician (Basic Books, 2021); The Price of Greatness: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and the Creation of American Oligarchy (Basic Books, June 2018); and A Republic No More: Big Government and the Rise of Political Corruption(Encounter Books, 2015). Dr. Cost’s next book, Democracy or Republic: The People and the Constitution is due to be released later this year.
Dr. Cost has a PhD and an MA in political science from the University of Chicago and a BA in government and history from the University of Virginia.
Megan Martin is the Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of the Commonwealth Foundation. Megan is a seasoned legal and public policy professional committed to improving the lives of the people of Pennsylvania. Prior to joining the Commonwealth Foundation, Megan was the vice president and general counsel of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, the state’s largest business advocacy organization, with nearly 10,000 members.
Before that, Megan broke the glass ceiling at the Pennsylvania Senate to become the first and only woman to serve as the Secretary-Parliamentarian. Megan’s distinguished three-decade career of service includes all three branches of state government, as an attorney for the U.S. Navy, and serving in the private sector and academia.
Megan has held many titles, but the one that makes her most proud is Mom to three great kids and, of course, their family dog, an adorable Bernedoodle. She and her husband Scott, who just became empty nesters, reside in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
Tony Woodlief is a senior fellow in State Policy Network’s Center for Practical Federalism, which equips state and local elected officials with tools to embrace and protect self-governance from federal government overreach.
Tony’s essays have been published in The Wall Street Journal, New York Post, Washington Post, and elsewhere, and he has appeared on Fox News, CSPAN, and radio programs across the U.S. He is the author of the book “I, Citizen: a Blueprint for Reclaiming American Self-Governance,” and the novel We Shall Not All Sleep. An alumnus of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Tony holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Michigan and an M.F.A. in creative writing from Wichita State University
Michael R. Dimino is a Professor of Law at Widener University Commonwealth Law School, where he teaches and writes in a wide variety of subjects, including constitutional law, free speech, and election law. Professor Dimino graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo and Harvard Law School, and served as Articles Editor of the Harvard Journal of Law & Public Policy. Professor Dimino clerked for Judges Albert Rosenblatt of the New York State Court of Appeals, Laurence Silberman of the D.C. Circuit, and Paul Friedman of the D.C. District. Professor Dimino is a two-time recipient of Widener’s Faculty Scholarship Award, a three-time recipient of Widener’s Outstanding Professor Award, and elected member of the American Law Institute, and a Fulbright scholar. He has authored or co-authored several articles and six books, including Voting Rights and Election Law (3d ed. 2021); Understanding Election Law and Voting Rights (2016); and Congressional Investigations and Oversight (2d ed. 2023). He serves as the chair of the Federalist Society’s Free Speech and Election Law practice group.
Michael Medved hosts a daily talk radio show and podcast that combines politics and pop culture, history and values. He is also a New York Times best-selling author of 14 nonfiction books—most recently The American Miracle: Divine Providence in the Rise of the Republic, and its follow-up God’s Hand on America: Divine Providence in the Modern Era. In this series, Michael describes astonishing incidents in which luck, nature, or some higher power seems to intervene on behalf of the United States. An honors graduate of Yale, he also attended Yale Law School and has worked as both a political speechwriter and Hollywood screenwriter. He is a member of USA Today’s Board of Contributors, and his pieces appear frequently in the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, and Commentary. Michael has lectured for religious, political, and academic audiences in all 50 states and six Canadian provinces.
As an active leader in the Jewish community, Michael has served as president of an Orthodox synagogue and co-founder of a Jewish day school. His lectures to Jewish communities frequently discuss the historic connection between America and Israel, the revival of Orthodox Judaism, and the sometimes tortured relationship between Jews and the entertainment industry.
He’s been married to Dr. Diane Medved, clinical psychologist, and best-selling author, for 37 years; they are the parents of three grown children and grandparents of the five most remarkable grandchildren on God’s Green Earth.
Libby Krieger is a political and crisis communications consultant with Communications Counsel, Inc. in Columbus, Ohio. Along with her work as a consultant, Libby writes op-eds on culture, faith, and politics and recently became Editor-in-Chief at New Guard Press. Her bylines have appeared in The American Spectator, Campus Reform, MRCTV, and The Daily Wire.
Libby has experience as an on-camera personality with Right Side Broadcasting Network at Trump campaign events and rallies and was the host of the Liberty Mail podcast while she was an Institute for Faith and Freedom fellow. She had the pleasure of interviewing Former US Attorney General Bill Barr, Michael Knowles, Kayleigh McEnany, and other media spokespersons and scholars throughout her career. Libby is a Forge Leadership Fellow, a Young Women for America ambassador, an Ohio Young Republican Executive Board member, and, most importantly, a follower of Christ. With any spare time she has, Libby works as a fashion and lifestyle model, enjoys staying active, and loves hosting social events.
Noah C. Gould is the Alumni & Student Programs Manager at the Acton Institute where he leads initiatives for Acton’s 12,000+ member Alumni Association and also oversees leadership development programs including the Emerging Leaders Program. He is also a Contributor and Tech Fellow for Young Voices. His writings on economics, business, and culture have appeared in outlets such as Newsweek, Detroit Free Press, Washington Free Beacon, and National Review.
At Grove, Noah studied Economics and led clubs such as AEI Executive Council and The Quad literary magazine. He co-wrote Antigone & the King, an original musical first produced at Grove City in 2020. He met his wife Liney at Grove City and they now have two kids, Simeon and Clemence.
Isaac Willour manages shareholder engagement at Bowyer Research, America’s leading proxy voting & corporate engagement firm. Bowyer Research engages on behalf of clients, representing billions of dollars within conservative America, to push companies away from politically biased policies and back toward core business. His team has achieved policy changes at companies including JPMorgan Chase, Pepsico, & Morgan Stanley, and probably more by the time you’re reading this. He is a regular commentator on ESG, DEI, & the culture war at the Daily Wire and the Salem Podcast Network, and can be found on Twitter (X) @IsaacWillour.
Corey Kendig is the state director for the Heritage Action for America. He is a lifelong Pennsylvania resident who grew up in Lancaster and now lives in Harrisburg with his beautiful wife. While at Grove City College, Corey studied Political Science and History, and was engaged in political organizations on campus, such as serving on the executive council for both the school’s American Enterprises Institute chapter and the Journal of Law and Public Policy, and working as a Marketing Fellow for the Institute for Faith & Freedom. Corey is a nationally published journalist. He has written for notable organizations such as The Federalist, College Fix, and James G. Martin Institute.
Olivia McGalla is the Communications and Events Coordinator for the Institute for Faith & Freedom. She graduated from Grove City College in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in Entrepreneurship. During her years at the college she was a Marketing Fellow with the Institute, played the snare drum in the Wolverine Marching Band and other music ensembles, participated in many competitions through the Center for Entrepreneurship + Innovation, and was the marketing and publicity coordinator for the Grove City College SAE Baja Racing Team. She also offers freelance photography, graphic design, and marketing services on the side to satisfy her entrepreneurial spirit. Originally from Armstrong County, PA, Olivia now resides in Mercer County, PA, with her husband, Judah, and has her dream job with the Institute for Faith & Freedom.
Lenny McAllister is a Senior Fellow with the Commonwealth Foundation.
A Pittsburgh native that has returned to the Keystone State, Lenny has spent years working in both state and national politics, the civil rights community, and extensive work in the media.
Lenny has appeared regularly as a nationally renowned op-ed writer, political analyst, and media staple on outlets ranging from Radio New Zealand and Sirius XM Radio to CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News. He has also been a featured speaker at events including the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference, Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) 2016, the State of the Black Union 2009, and the Essence Music Festival 2012.
In 2016, Lenny was recognized as one of the most influential African-Americans under 45 years old in the United States. He is an adjunct professor of African-American history at LaRoche College in Pittsburgh. He holds an undergraduate degree in history from Davidson College.
Lenny is the proud husband of Lannie and proud father to his four children.
Paul Kengor is professor of political science at Grove City College in Grove City, Pennsylvania, and a New York Times bestselling author of over 20 books. He is senior director and chief academic fellow at the Institute for Faith & Freedom and former visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. His articles have appeared in publications from the Washington Post and USA Today to the Wall Street Journal and New York Times. He is a longtime columnist for The American Spectator and was named editor in chief of the magazine in September 2022, to succeed founder R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr. He is an internationally recognized authority on several subjects, particularly Ronald Reagan, the Cold War and communism, and the American presidency.
Dr. Kengor is frequently interviewed by the BBC, Fox News, MSNBC, C-SPAN, NPR, EWTN, the Christian Broadcasting Network, by radio hosts such as Glenn Beck, Mark Levin, and Bill Bennett, and by TV personalities like Megyn Kelly, Bill O’Reilly, and Joe Scarborough. He often writes for National Catholic Register and Crisis Magazine.
Dr. Kengor’s books have been published by HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Harvard University Press, Oxford University Press, Ignatius Press, the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, HarperPerennial, and many others. In 2017, he released what has been described as his “magnum opus,” A Pope and a President: John Paul II, Ronald Reagan, and the Extraordinary Untold Story of the 20th Century. Among his bestsellers are the 2012 book, The Communist, and his 2004 classic, God and Ronald Reagan. Several of his books are the basis for major films, including the documentary, The Divine Plan (Robert Orlando, producer), which screened in theaters nationwide in 2019, and the upcoming bio-pic Reagan: The Movie, starring Dennis Quaid and David Henrie. In August 2020, he released his latest The Devil and Karl Marx (TAN Books/St. Benedict Press).
Kengor is a frequent public speaker, at venues such as the Ronald Reagan Library, the Reagan Ranch Center, National Press Club, Heritage Foundation, American Enterprise Institute, the Center for Strategic & International Studies, the Gerald Ford Library, the National Presbyterian Church, the John Paul II National Shrine, and at colleges from the University of Virginia to William & Mary to the Naval Academy to Notre Dame University to Princeton University.
Kengor received his doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs and master’s degree from The American University’s School of International Service. He holds an honorary doctorate from Franciscan University. He and his wife, Susan, have eight children, two of which are adopted.