The Institute for American Leadership has entered its next strategic phase as a standalone organization, moving from its formative stage into long-term institution-building. Following the formal separation with the Political Action Committee, the Alliance for American Leadership, the Institute’s transition reflects its long-standing plan to establish itself as an independent organization dedicated to the nonpartisan education of fellow Americans. 

“We are focusing on laying durable foundations for governance, strategy, and program execution, while maintaining and expanding our existing programs, fellowships, and initiatives,” says the Institute’s Executive Director, Nicole Rodgers. “The Institute remains firmly committed to our nonpartisan research, educational development, and principled American leadership, all while operating transparently and ethically.”

The Institute for American Leadership is also excited to announce its newly-appointed Board and Advisory Group, adding six individuals who collectively bring over 100 years of professional experience to the organization. 

Appointed to the Board of Directors are Daniel Suarez as Interim Chair, Anne Rusinak as Secretary, Steve Wolff as Treasurer, and Perry Boyle as Member-at-Large. Appointed to the Advisory Group are Don Dea as Chair and Jonathan Maddock as Senior Advisor. 

Anne Rusinak is an impact-driven advisor with over 15 years of experience in consulting and professional services, specializing in strategic communications and growth. She has driven firmwide strategy, launched practice areas, and developed go-to-market and comms strategies. Her career spans sectors and industries, with a focus on business development and marketing, managing change and crises, and building inclusive, mission-driven initiatives that advance resilience. Anne earned her Bachelor’s from the University of South Carolina and Master’s from King’s College London before pursuing an MPH at The George Washington University.

Steve Wolff joins the Board having spent more than 25 years as CFO, CEO, Board Director, Treasurer, and advisor with public, private, private equity-owned companies, and non-profits with revenues ranging from start-up to $30 billion. He has extensive experience in more than 40 countries across the Americas, Europe, and Asia, including ten years as an overseas-based executive, and is fluent in Russian and Spanish. Steve earned his Bachelor’s from Emory University and obtained an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Perry Boyle is the CEO of MITS Capital, a defense technology investment group he founded in New York and Kyiv in 2024. He is the non-executive chairman of MITS Industries A/S and served from 2009 through 2025 as Chair of BOMA.ngo, the largest provider of poverty graduation programs in Africa. Previously he spent over 15 years at Point72 and its predecessors, leading the firm’s global long/short equity investing business. Perry received his Bachelor’s from Stanford University, his Master’s from The Fletcher School at Tufts University, and an MBA from The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

Donald Dea, a serial entrepreneur and Cybersecurity expert, will serve as Chair of the Advisory Group. Jonathan Maddock, a Senior Risk Governance Advisor, joins as a Senior Advisor within the Advisory Group.

Daniel Suarez was appointed Interim Chair of the Board of Directors. Daniel is the former Deputy Inspector General, Defense Health Agency. 

The Institute for American Leadership is a newly formed 501(c)(3), a youth-fueled nonprofit focused on strengthening the tools that keep America safe: diplomacy, development, and global partnerships. I4AL invests in people, ideas, and institutions to help America lead with both strength and wisdom. We provide the research backbone, leadership training, and educational programming that strengthen America’s long-term foreign policy capacity. 

For questions regarding this transition, please contact our Executive Director, Nicole Rodgers at nicolerodgers@instituteforamerica.org.