2026 Mentors
The Honorable Don Wright – Turner Maurice Gauntt Jr. Mentor
Former U.S. ambassador to Tanzania; former acting secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Dr. Donald J. Wright is a physician, public health expert and former diplomat who served as U.S. ambassador to Tanzania from 2020 to 2023. As ambassador, he led a team of more than 600 and managed an $800 million budget, overseeing key U.S. initiatives in health, economic development and security.
Dr. Wright brings extensive leadership experience from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Labor, where he served in roles including acting assistant secretary for health and acting executive director of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition. He directed major national public health initiatives such as Healthy People 2020 and the National Action Plan to Reduce Healthcare Associated Infections and has published on topics including patient safety, healthcare quality, health disparities and healthy aging.
Before joining the government as director of the Office of Occupational Medicine at the U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA) in 2003, he was a clinician in Texas for 17 years in the areas of family medicine and occupational health.
Dr. Wright holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Tech University, a medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, completed his residency at Baylor College of Medicine and earned a Master of Public Health from the Medical College of Wisconsin. He was recognized by the American College of Preventive Medicine in 2019.
Victoria Hughes – Teacher Mentor
Victoria founded the Bill of Rights Institute in 1999 in order to increase knowledge and appreciation of the American Founding documents among high school students and teachers. Under her leadership, the Institute has provided nearly 25,000 teachers with instructional material on the Founding documents and conducted Constitutional Seminars for nearly 4,000 teachers in order to help them more effectively engage their students with these ideas. The Institute has a full time staff of eleven and a $2.2 million annual budget.
Prior to establishing the Bill of Rights Institute, Victoria served in senior executive roles in several nonprofit and governmental organizations. This included stints at the Charles Koch Foundation, Citizens for a Sound Economy, The Heritage Foundation, the March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation, and the U.S. Information Agency. Victoria also lived three years in Barbados, where – as the wife of the United States Ambassador – she actively participated in many charitable activities benefiting the islands of the Eastern Caribbean. Most recently Victoria has led the Civics Education Coalition for America 250 and has served in the U.S. Department of Education with Secretary Linda McMahon
Victoria began her career as a classroom teacher, and has taught in suburban Cincinnati, Boston, and Washington, D.C. She earned her degree in Education from the University of Dayton. She has been married to for 29 years and resides in Falls Church, Virginia.
Shane Tews – STEM & Essay Mentor
Shane Tews is a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where she focuses on digital economy issues including artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, privacy and data protection, next-generation networking (5G), the Internet of Things, international internet governance, international information and communications technology, and emerging technologies. She is also president of Logan Circle Strategies, a strategic advisory firm.
She is vice chair of the board of directors of the Internet Education Foundation; vice chair of the Internet Society’s Washington, DC, chapter; a member of the board of SeedAI; and chair of the board of directors at TechFreedom.
Previously, Ms. Tews served as co-chair of the Internet Governance Forum USA and chair of the Dynamic Coalition on the Internet of Things of the Internet Governance Forum. She was a member of the board of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, the Information Technology Industry Council, and Global Women’s Innovation Network. She also managed internet security and digital commerce issues as vice president of global policy for Verisign. She began her career in the George H. W. Bush White House as a deputy associate director in the Office of Cabinet Affairs and later moved to Capitol Hill as a legislative director for Representative Gary Franks.
Brandon Vanderford – Short Film Mentor
Brandon Vanderford is a member of the Constituting America governing board and a longtime member of our team! He is the founder and CEO of Foundation Studios and is responsible for many of our very successful Constituting America produced documentaries, and helping our winners professionally produce their winning songs for radio play! He has produced shows on Cumulus, FOX Sports Southwest, Clear Channel, Salem and iHeart radio.
He is an adjunct associate professor of economics at University of Texas at Arlington.
Maura Gillespie – PSA Mentor
Founder & Principal at Bluestack Strategies, LLC
An established communications professional and proud New Jersey native, Maura established Bluestack Strategies to help tell the stories of those who wish to grow their business, develop strategic communications plans, expand their brand, and/or build an audience. She brings her political consulting experience and years of communications expertise to this endeavor and to her role as a Partner at Foxhound Advisors, a principal-level-only public affairs and communications firm that provides a customized, creative approach for clients across industries and issue areas.
Eric Wilson – Social Media Mentor
Political Technologist
Eric Wilson is a political technologist driving innovation and digital transformation. He’s a veteran of numerous campaigns, having led Marco Rubio’s digital team during his 2016 campaign for president.
Today, he is a Senior Vice President at Bullpen Strategy Group, an insights-focused public affairs advocacy and strategic advisory firm. He’s also the Managing Partner of Startup Caucus, an investment fund and incubator for Republican campaign technology.
Named Campaigns & Election’s “2021 Technology Leader of the Year” and a Harvard Ash Center Technology & Democracy Fellow (2019-2021), he’s frequently interviewed by the media about campaigns and technology and regularly speaks domestically and internationally about the digital transformation of politics.
He’s a proud graduate of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee and the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science at the University of North Texas.
Eric and his wife have a daughter and son and live in the Washington, D.C. area.
Moses Uvere – Song Mentor
Musical Artist
Many of us face struggles—whether it’s finding direction in life, overcoming personal challenges, or staying connected to our faith. In times like these, you need someone who understands where you’re coming from and can lead you toward hope, growth, and success. Moses Uvere has been there. Raised by Nigerian immigrants in Dallas, Texas, Moses grew up witnessing the harsh realities of poverty and the struggles of chasing the “American Dream.” As the eldest of six siblings, he faced immense challenges, stepping up to care for his family after his mother left. But Moses didn’t let those hardships define him. Instead, he transformed his experiences into fuel for his life’s work: helping others rise above their own struggles.
Through his music, mentorship, and motivational speaking, Moses helps individuals, especially young people, discover their own strength and purpose. His message is simple: no matter where you start, you can achieve greatness if you have faith, perseverance, and the right support.
Music with Meaning: Moses’ albums, including Kingdom of the Fallen and Never Been Better, tell the stories of resilience, faith, and victory over adversity. His music speaks to those searching for hope and offers a soundtrack for personal transformation.
Mentorship that Matters: As a mentor, Moses walks alongside young people, helping them navigate the challenges of life with wisdom, encouragement, and practical guidance. He’s been in their shoes and knows how to help them rise above.
Motivation to Move Forward: As a motivational speaker, Moses brings his life story and passion to every stage, encouraging audiences to push through life’s obstacles and pursue a life of purpose and faith.
Whether you’re looking for music that lifts your spirit, mentorship that offers real direction, or motivational talks that inspire action, Moses has a way forward. His journey, from a struggling youth to a chart-topping artist and pastor, proves that anyone can rise above their circumstances with the right guidance and faith.
Moses Uvere’s music has reached millions, charted on iTunes, and earned him recognition on major platforms like ABC, CBS, and Yahoo News. He’s shared stages with some of the biggest names in music, but his heart is always focused on serving others and guiding them toward success in life. As a recipient of the CBS 11 “Texan with Character” Award and an inductee into the Berkner High School Hall of Fame, Moses has built his life on faith, perseverance, and helping others realize their potential.
He is a husband, a father of three and currently Founder at The Vine of Life in Garland, TX.
Dr. Jay McConville – Song Mentor
Digital Media Professional and Songwriter
Jay McConville is a military veteran, management professional, strategy consultant, active civic volunteer, and issue advocate. Prior to beginning his doctoral studies, he was the founder and owner of Emerald Collaborative Partners (ECP) LLC of Richmond, Virginia, a management, strategy, government affairs, and new business consultancy focused on the Aerospace and Defense industry. As part of his consultancy, he also served for three years as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Privia LLC, a proposal management software company in Herndon, Virginia.
In addition to his own business, Jay has held multiple key technology and management positions within industry including Director, Vice President, Executive Vice President and President and CEO within several leading Aerospace and Defense firms.
Jay is also a military Veteran. Enlisting in 1981 and commissioned in 1985, he served as a US Army Intelligence Officer in multiple positions around the world, including with the 1st Cavalry Division during Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Throughout his career, Jay has been active in civic and industry volunteer associations. He ran for the Virginia House of Delegates from the 44th Legislative District (Mt. Vernon) in 2009, and while unsuccessful, was subsequently elected to lead one of Virginia’s largest Political Committees. He also served as the volunteer Virginia Co-Chair for a top-tier Presidential Candidate during the 2016 Presidential Primary. Jay is a past two-term President of the Washington DC “Capitol” Chapter of the Association of Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), and two-term President of the Ft. Hunt Youth Athletic Association (FHYAA). Today he serves on the Operating Board of Directors of “Constituting America,” a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to teaching America’s youth about the principles of the United States Constitution.
Jay is a Distinguished Military Graduate from Georgetown University ROTC. He has a Bachelor of Arts from George Mason University and a Master of Science in Strategic Intelligence from the Defense Intelligence College (since renamed the National Intelligence University). He is a member of Pi Alpha Alpha and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies.
Jay lives in Richmond, Virginia with his wife of 35 years, Susan Ulsamer McConville. They have three children and four grandchildren.
Madeline Peltzer – Essay Mentor
Capitol Hill Press Secretary & Former We The Future Contest Winner
Madeline Peltzer is deputy press secretary for Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri. Previously, she served as press secretary for Congressman John James (MI-10) and a ghostwriter for former Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel at the Republican National Committee where she wrote nearly 100 op-eds throughout the 2022 election cycle. Madeline graduated from Hillsdale College in 2021 where she was a Politics major and Journalism minor. She was born and raised in Arizona and is still a Western girl at heart.
Magda Smith, Speech Mentor
Magda Smith is a former We The Future Contest winner (Best college speech 2020) and is a graduate of Cornell University. She is interested in creating positive change through policy and promoting nuance, empathy, and open-mindedness in political discussions. In her free time, she loves to read and go on walks. Magda’s essays, songs, and poems have won several national and international awards including a Merit Award from the National YoungArts Foundation and a Gold Medal, a Silver Medal, and 28 more honors from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. During college, she worked as a researcher with the Global Student Policy Alliance to create
Michael Gardner – Teacher Mentor
Civic Education Specialist & Retired Master Social Studies Teacher
Michael Gardner is a retired U.S. Navy veteran and distinguished Master Social Studies teacher with decades of experience in the classroom, where he taught AP U.S. History and U.S. Government. He holds a Master’s degree in Higher Education with a focus on Government and American History. A dedicated civic educator, Michael is a certified We the People instructor and a James Madison Teaching Fellow with the Center for Civic Education.
Michael has served as a mentor to Virginia educators on topics relating to the U.S. and Virginia Constitutions and regularly judges We the People competitions at the regional, state, and national levels. He is an active member of the Virginia Council for the Social Studies (VCSS), serving on its board and frequently presenting at its conferences. Additionally, he is a national member of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and continues to volunteer at the We the People National Finals.
Based in Virginia Beach, Michael remains passionate about strengthening civic education and supporting the next generation of government and history educators.