Alexander Hamilton Society Announces New Executive Director and Board Members 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Alexander Hamilton Society (AHS) today announced the election of its new Executive Director and additions to its Board of Directors.

Mike Watson will be Executive Director of AHS, effective January 1, 2026. Watson joins AHS from Hudson Institute, where he served as a Fellow and Deputy Director of the Center for Strategy and American Statecraft. He brings extensive experience in strategy, American foreign policy, and leadership development. His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, National Affairs, Commentary, Tablet, and the Washington Free Beacon, where he writes a weekly column on foreign affairs.

“Mike is the best leader for AHS’s next chapter,” said Roy Katzovicz, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “His deep knowledge of American strategy, commitment to cultivating principled leaders, and track record of shaping national security discourse make him uniquely qualified to advance our mission. AHS is entering a phase of tremendous opportunity, and we are confident Mike will build upon the strong foundation laid by Dr. Gabe Scheinmann.”

Watson expressed enthusiasm for the role, noting, “AHS stands at the forefront of strengthening American leadership by cultivating the next generation of strategic thinkers and public servants. I am honored to join this mission and work alongside our exceptional team, alumni, and supporters to build on the organization’s remarkable momentum.”

AHS also announced the addition of three new members to its Board of Directors: Mackenzie Eaglen, Dr. Katrin Fraser Katz, and Walter Russell Mead.

Eaglen is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where she focuses on defense strategy, budgets, and military readiness. She serves on the U.S. Army War College Board of Visitors, the U.S. Army Science Board, and the congressionally established Commission on the Future of the Navy. Her prior roles span the House, Senate, Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Joint Staff. A prolific writer and frequent congressional witness, she has long engaged with AHS campus chapters nationwide.

Dr. Katz is a professor of practice at the University of Miami and an adjunct fellow (non-resident) in the Office of the Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). She previously served on the National Security Council as director for Korea, Japan, and oceanic affairs, and earlier held roles at the Department of State and the CIA. Her research focuses on cooperation and conflict in East Asia’s political, economic, and security dynamics.

Mead is the Ravenel B. Curry III Distinguished Fellow in Strategy and Statesmanship at Hudson Institute, the Global View Columnist at The Wall Street Journal, and a Professor of Strategic Studies and Humanities at the Hamilton School at the University of Florida. He previously served as the Henry A. Kissinger Senior Fellow for U.S. Foreign Policy at the Council on Foreign Relations. Mead is the author of several influential books, including “Special Providence: American Foreign Policy and How it Changed the World” and, most recently, “The Arc of a Covenant: The United States, Israel, and the Fate of the Jewish People.”

“Mackenzie, Katrin, and Walter have a depth of experience that is second to none,” Katzovicz said. “Their counsel will be instrumental in strengthening AHS’s national impact and preparing the next generation of strategic leaders.”

AHS remains steadfast in its mission challenging flawed foreign, economic, and national security assumptions on American campuses and equipping future leaders with the knowledge, experience, and networks to responsibly shape U.S. policy.

Media Contact:

For interviews with AHS executive leadership, or for more information about the organization, please contact Jessica Todd at jessica@hamsoc.org or (214) 592-5109.

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About The Alexander Hamilton Society

The Alexander Hamilton Society is a nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to identifying, educating, and launching the next generation of foreign policy and national security leaders, guided by the Hamiltonian vision of a strong and engaged America.