The Institute for Family Studies is Seeking a New President

The Institute for Family Studies (IFS) is pleased to announce that we are embarking on a search for a new president. Michael Toscano, who has been executive director since 2019, has been named Senior Fellow and Director of the Family First Technology Initiative at the IFS. We are excited that Michael will be staying with us and are thrilled at the prospect of a new leader.

Our new president will be joining us at a critical time in the history of our country, and an exciting time at the Institute. Ten years ago, our founding purpose was to study and address the family crisis. Since then, we have responded to new challenges facing the American family by expanding our work to include two critical areas: the fertility crisis and the technological crisis. Both reflect fundamental, new challenges to families in the 21st century. In response, we recently launched the Pronatalism Initiative, directed by Lyman Stone, the Family First Technology Initiative under Toscano’s leadership, and IFS founder Brad Wilcox will continue his work with the Get Married Initiative.

The Institute for Family Studies seeks an experienced leader with a vision for advancing its mission and building up its administrative and fundraising capacities as an institution. This is an opportunity to lead one of the country’s most important new think tanks at a pivotal point in its history. In our first decade of operation, our research has garnered the highest credibility, its access to the media has gained large audiences, and our voice has become vital, especially in the development of state and federal policy to make technology safe for kids. Now, over the next 10 years, the Institute will build on this legacy to further advance the mission of elevating marriage and family to the top of the national agenda. 

Furthermore, the president will be joining our organization at a time of growth and excellence. Over the course of Toscano’s five-year tenure, our fundraising has more than doubled and research output has quadrupled. Inspired by our policy work and Toscano’s leadership, nearly 20 laws were passed nationwide to make the internet safer for kids. Toscano has also hired several new staff members and added several board members. His continued work at the IFS will help to ensure continuity over the years ahead.

“When I helped found the Institute for Family Studies over 10 years ago, I did so out of a critical sense of mission,” says Wilcox. “It was clear to me that the American Experiment was in jeopardy—especially when it comes to those paramount American values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It was also clear to me that the factor that often supersedes all other factors in explaining this crisis was largely ignored: family.”

Wilcox continues, “The Institute for Family Studies was founded to correct this omission in our vision, public discourse, and approach to public policy. I am thrilled by our progress, but there is still more to do. I am excited about bringing on a new leader that can help us go even further.”

The job description can be found here. All excellent candidates are welcome.