The ASU Institute of Politics Fellows are distinguished leaders from across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors who bring real-world experience to campus. From diplomats and governors to journalists, advocates, and policy experts, these Fellows engage directly with students—offering mentorship, leading discussions, and sharing insights that inspire the next generation of civic leaders.
CEO, Citizens for Free Enterprise
23rd Governor of Arizona
Doug Ducey is known as one of America’s most successful entrepreneurs and most successful governors.
Born and raised in Toledo, Ohio, Ducey began his career in business with Procter & Gamble, and later served as CEO of Cold Stone Creamery. There, Ducey led the expansion of the ice cream franchise from one single store into a business with 1,400 locations in the United States and 10 other countries.
Elected Arizona’s 23rd Governor in 2014 and reelected by an even wider margin in 2018, Ducey successfully championed historic policy initiatives, enacting the lowest flat income tax rate in the nation, introducing a first-in-nation law that requires students to pass a Civics test before graduating from high school, knocking-down licensing requirements that stood as a barrier to work, and eliminating or improving over 3,365 regulations resulting in the equivalent of a $183 million dollar tax cut.
Ducey may be best known for pioneering Education Scholarship Accounts and universal school choice – providing every family with the opportunity to have their student attend whatever school is best for them. As the Hill reported, Arizona’s program “has become the standard that school choice advocates argue other states need to emulate.”
Legendary Conservative Columnist George Will described Ducey as the “most successful 21st century governor.”
Under Governor Ducey’s leadership, Arizona also experienced unparalleled growth with the state’s economy having boomed while the size of government has shrunk. When Ducey left office, Arizona’s government employed 5,000 less state workers than when he took office, and the state’s economy added over 500,000 private sector jobs.
Governor Ducey also welcomed record amounts of investment by leading various economic development initiatives that have attracted businesses from all industries, especially international semiconductor manufacturing and healthcare. While Arizona governor, Ducey served as Chairman of the Republican Governors Association, and was the first Governor since Ronald Reagan to be elected by his peers to serve multiple terms in that role.
A passionate Arizona State Sun Devil, committed Catholic and proud father, Governor Doug Ducey resides in Paradise Valley, Arizona with his wife, Angela. They are parents to three sons.
U.S. Ambassador to Portugal (2022–2025), cultural diplomacy leader and arts advocate.
A passionate defender of the arts and an accomplished diplomat, Randi Charno Levine served as the United States Ambassador to Portugal from April 2022 to January 2025, following unanimous confirmation by the Senate and appointment by President Biden.
During her tenure, she strengthened U.S.–Portugal cooperation across defense, innovation, renewable energy, and cultural diplomacy, including the high-profile “Art in Embassies” exhibition opened by First Lady Jill Biden.
Prior to her ambassadorship, Levine chaired the Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy, served as Commissioner at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, and held board roles with various cultural institutions. An alumna of the Missouri School of Journalism, she holds a B.A. in journalism and brings to her public service a powerful blend of storytelling, cultural insight, and civic leadership.
Veteran public servant, civic organizer and nonprofit leader
Sherri Wolson is a veteran public servant, civic organizer, and nonprofit leader whose career experience has spanned government service, grassroots democracy, and mission-driven philanthropy. Her journey in civic life began as an undergraduate student at Stanford University, where she chaired Stanford in Government and encouraged fellow students to explore careers in public service and policymaking. Today, she continues to champion democratic engagement as an Arizona Team Lead with the civic advocacy group Common Power, and she has led volunteer initiatives in Phoenix and Tucson to encourage voter participation, including overseeing hundreds of volunteers who knocked on over 45,000 doors during the 2024 election.
Sherri served as a trial lawyer in the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice and co-authored amicus briefs submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court. She has held leadership roles on numerous nonprofit boards serving the education, philanthropy, and civic engagement sectors and has deep expertise in governance, fundraising, and organizational strategy.
Sherri earned an A.B. in Public Policy from Stanford University, a J.D. from Stanford Law School, and is a Truman Scholar. As a Visiting Fellow, she enjoys working with students to provide insight into careers rooted in civic purpose, public service, and nonprofit leadership. Her work at ASU focuses on cultivating civic courage, expanding democratic participation, and empowering the next generation of changemakers.
Libertarian journalist, editor at large at Reason,
and host of The Reason Interview podcast
Nick Gillespie is a journalist, cultural critic, and longtime advocate for free expression and individual liberty. He serves as editor at large at Reason, the libertarian magazine of “free minds and free markets,” where he also hosts The Reason Interview with Nick Gillespie, a podcast featuring conversations with leading thinkers in politics, culture, and media.
Gillespie previously served as editor in chief of Reason magazine, Reason.com, and Reason TV, where his work garnered multiple National Magazine Award nominations and recognition for innovation in digital journalism. His co-authored book, The Declaration of Independents: How Libertarian Politics Can Fix What’s Wrong With America, explores the rise of individual choice in a post-partisan world. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Time, Slate, and many other major outlets. Known for blending pop culture sensibility with serious political inquiry, Gillespie has interviewed figures ranging from Ozzy Osbourne to Nobel laureates like Milton Friedman and Vernon Smith.
He is a frequent commentator on networks including NPR, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, and PBS, and has been praised by The New York Times Magazine as “the quintessence of [libertarianism’s] outlaw spirit.” Gillespie holds a Ph.D. in English literature from the State University of New York at Buffalo and lives in New York City.