Sam O’Connor is the Director of Programs at The Ripon Society and Franklin Center for Global Policy Exchange.  Sam began his career with former South Carolina Governor and U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley as a Research Analyst at her PAC, Stand for America. Then, Sam led war room operations on the Haley presidential campaign and became a Senior Research Analyst.

Prior to joining the staff of The Ripon Society, Sam worked in his home state of Massachusetts as Communications Director in the office of State Senator Ryan Fattman and as Political Director on a U.S. Senate campaign.

Sam is a native of Mendon, Massachusetts and is a graduate of Boston College, where he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.