The Board of Directors of the American Excellence Foundation Announces Paul Lundeen as President and CEO

ARLINGTON, VA – June 9, 2025 – The Board of Directors of the American Excellence Foundation (AEF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has recruited Paul Lundeen as its President and CEO.

As a successful entrepreneur, small business owner, elected official and former journalist, Lundeen is uniquely equipped to lead AEF’s mission on delivering tangible results, empowering investors to drive meaningful impact and amplifying conservative voices across the nation. The organization utilizes a private equity mindset to optimize donor investments in supporting civic journalism, and market-based solutions to influence state and federal policy. Success is achieved by fostering informed, high-impact giving through advisory services and events.

“The mission of American Excellence Foundation is vital to our country’s continued success, and I welcome leading it to bring balance to the public policy conversation.” said Lundeen. “Each year tens of billions of dollars are spent shaping the perceptions of Americans about the laws and policies under which they live. For decades, progressive causes have been the recipient of the lion’s share of this funding. In 2020 they received 91% of the $35 billion spent, according to the Capital Research Center. That imbalance tends to push people away from confidence in private-sector innovation and market- based solutions and towards progressive and collectivist programs.”

Lundeen brings a distinguished record of leadership and public service to AEF. He served seven sessions in the Colorado Senate, including as Senate Minority Leader since 2022, four sessions in the Colorado House of Representatives, and four years on the Colorado State Board of Education, including two as chairman. Lundeen has driven meaningful reforms. His achievements include rewriting Colorado’s education funding formula to prioritize students, cutting state income taxes, strengthening anti-human trafficking laws, protecting data privacy, and improving critical infrastructure.

The AEF Board of Directors unanimously expressed confidence in Lundeen’s ability to advance the Foundation’s goals, citing his proven track record at promoting ideas for Americans’ personal and economic security, in addition to leading organizations and companies.