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The National Center For Public Policy Research: 5 Shocking Ways This Conservative Think Tank Is Reshaping Corporate America In 2025

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The National Center for Public Policy Research (NCPPR) is currently one of the most active and influential conservative think tanks in Washington, D.C., known for its aggressive stance on free-market principles and a strong national defense. Founded in 1982, the organization has recently pivoted its focus to become the premier opponent of what it terms "woke" corporate policies, primarily through its highly effective shareholder activism initiatives.

As of late December 2025, the NCPPR is driving a significant, high-stakes campaign against environmental, social, and governance (ESG) mandates and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts at major U.S. corporations. This strategy involves submitting targeted shareholder proposals to companies like Starbucks, Cisco, and Kroger, challenging the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and fundamentally reshaping the discourse on corporate governance and social responsibility across the United States.

National Center for Public Policy Research: Key Leadership and Biography (2025 Update)

The NCPPR operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan, free-market educational foundation, but its leadership is explicitly conservative in its policy outlook. A significant leadership transition occurred in 2025, ensuring a fresh, dedicated focus on its current mission of opposing left-of-center corporate influence.

  • Daniel D. Faoro (President): Appointed as the third President of the National Center in 2025, succeeding David Ridenour. Faoro previously served as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer and Director of Communications, bringing a strong operational and media background to the top executive role.
  • David A. Ridenour (Chairman of the Board of Directors): Co-founder of the NCPPR in 1982 and served as its President from 2011 to 2025. He transitioned to the Chairman role in 2025 to focus more time on building the National Center's Able Americans initiative.
  • Amy Moritz Ridenour (Co-Founder): Co-founded the National Center for Public Policy Research alongside her husband, David Ridenour, in 1982, establishing the organization's foundational conservative principles.
  • Stefan Padfield (Executive Director, Free Enterprise Project - FEP): Padfield directs the Free Enterprise Project, which is the operational arm for the NCPPR's shareholder activism. He is a specialist in corporate law and governance, emphasizing the legal and financial arguments against "woke" policies.
  • David W. Almasi (Vice President): A long-standing leader within the organization, Almasi is a key operative involved in the center's communication and strategy.

1. The Rise of the Free Enterprise Project (FEP): Conservative Shareholder Activism

The core of the NCPPR’s influence in 2024 and 2025 is its Free Enterprise Project (FEP). The FEP is explicitly positioned as the original and premier opponent of the "woke" agenda in corporate America. It functions by acquiring small stakes in publicly traded companies, which grants it the right to submit shareholder proposals and speak at annual corporate meetings.

This strategy directly challenges the decades-long dominance of left-leaning shareholder groups that have historically pushed for increased social and environmental mandates. The FEP’s proposals often demand transparency on the financial costs of DEI programs, challenge political spending, and argue that ESG mandates violate the fiduciary duty of corporate boards to maximize shareholder value.

Challenging Corporate Giants and the Anti-DEI Movement

The volume of anti-DEI proposals has skyrocketed from 6% of all DEI-related proposals in 2022 to a significant 23% in 2024, a trend that is continuing into 2025, with the NCPPR being a primary driver of this shift. Their campaigns are not just symbolic; they are designed to force public debate and legal action.

  • Starbucks Lawsuit: The NCPPR has sued Starbucks, challenging the company’s DEI efforts.
  • Nasdaq’s Board Diversity Rule: The organization has sued Nasdaq over its controversial rule requiring listed companies to meet specific board diversity quotas.
  • Scrutiny of Cisco: FEP activists are demanding measurable returns and a justification for Cisco’s DEI programs, insisting on accountability for shareholder capital.

This aggressive campaign positions the NCPPR as a central player in the national debate over corporate social responsibility and the limits of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investing.

2. The Legal Battle Against the SEC and Shareholder Proposal Authority

Perhaps the most significant development in the NCPPR’s recent history is its direct legal challenge to the authority of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This campaign is a crucial front in the broader anti-ESG wars.

The dispute centers on the SEC’s power to enforce rules governing the inclusion or exclusion of shareholder proposals in company proxy statements. When a company like Kroger attempts to exclude an NCPPR proposal, the organization has escalated the matter, leading to high-profile legal battles over the scope of the SEC’s authority. The NCPPR is essentially seeking to limit the SEC's ability to facilitate the inclusion of "socially motivated" proposals, arguing that they often exceed the bounds of ordinary business matters.

This legal strategy aims to create a more favorable regulatory environment for free-market principles, reducing the burden of what the organization sees as politically motivated mandates on American corporations.

3. Project 21 and Able Americans: Expanding Topical Authority

Beyond the high-profile shareholder battles, the NCPPR maintains several specialized projects that contribute to its overall topical authority as a conservative think tank. These initiatives focus on specific demographics and policy areas, ensuring a broad reach across the political landscape.

  • Project 21: This initiative is dedicated to promoting the viewpoints of black conservatives. It focuses on new approaches and ideas to foster discussion on issues relevant to the African-American community from a conservative, free-market perspective.
  • Able Americans: This project, now a key focus for Chairman David A. Ridenour, aims to address policy issues affecting disabled Americans, providing conservative solutions for accessibility and opportunity.
  • Center for Environmental and Regulatory Affairs (CERA): This project focuses on science and energy policy, often challenging the consensus on global warming regulations and arguing that new environmental laws disproportionately harm lower-income and minority communities.

By maintaining these diverse programs, the National Center for Public Policy Research ensures its voice is heard across a wide spectrum of policy debates, from corporate boardrooms to civil rights and environmental regulation. The organization's commitment to individual liberty, strong national defense, and the principles of a free market remains the unifying force behind all its initiatives.

The National Center for Public Policy Research: 5 Shocking Ways This Conservative Think Tank is Reshaping Corporate America in 2025
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