Media Contact:
Kristie Eshelman
Director of Communications
Email: keshelman@niskanencenter.org
New leadership structure builds on Niskanen’s strengths in evidence-based research, pragmatic policymaking, and cross-partisan engagement.
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 20, 2026 —Today, Niskanen Center President R.J. Lyman announced his new leadership team, drawn from within the organization. The team will build on Niskanen’s strengths in rigorous scholarship, evidence-based policy development, and pragmatic solutions that can earn political support across the political spectrum and deliver meaningful results for the American people.
Joining Lyman in the leadership team are Ben Bain as Senior Vice President, Corey Schrodt as Vice President of External Affairs, David Dagan as Vice President of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, and Liza Reed as Vice President of Policy.
Lyman was named President earlier this year after serving briefly in an interim capacity. The Niskanen Center’s Board of Directors named him to the permanent role based on his steady leadership during the transition and a clear plan for continued success.
“Niskanen has always done its best work when rigorous ideas and practical policy go hand in hand,” said Lyman. “We will meet the challenges facing our society by being clear-eyed about institutional failures, resolute in defending what works, and broad-minded about reform, always in a generous spirit toward those who disagree. I’m excited to build on the organization’s strengths and work with this talented team, and the entire Niskanen staff, to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”
“The board is thrilled with R.J.’s early tenure as President of Niskanen,” said Bob Litterman, chair of the Niskanen Center’s board of directors. “He has earned the trust of his colleagues and our partners, and the leadership team he has assembled gives the organization the depth to build on its long track record and his vision for its future. In addition to leading the team, R.J. has already broadened our base of financial support; we look forward to Niskanen’s growth in scale and impact in the times ahead.”
A team to connect ideas, policy, and impact
The new structure is designed to strengthen how Niskanen’s theory, policy, and external engagement work together.
Ben Bain, Senior Vice President, will lead organizational strategy and integration across teams.
Corey Schrodt, Vice President of External Affairs, will lead Niskanen’s external engagement, overseeing Government Affairs, Communications, and Legal.
David Dagan, Vice President of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, will lead Niskanen’s scholarship on societal and cross-cutting issues and work with policy teams to develop frameworks they can apply across their respective issue areas.
Liza Reed, Vice President of Policy, will coordinate across Niskanen’s policy teams to strengthen the impact of the organization’s research and recommendations. She will also continue to serve as Director of Climate & Energy.
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The Niskanen Center is a 501(c)(3) advocacy organization established in 2014 to change public policy through direct engagement in the policymaking process.
