Ryan Helfenbein is the Vice President of Communications & Public Engagement at Liberty University and the Founding Executive Director of the Standing for Freedom Center where he is the host of the Give Me Liberty podcast and a regular Christian cultural and political commentator with appearances on Fox News, Newsmax, Real America’s Voice News and Salem Media. Ryan served as an advisor and public information officer for the 62nd Governor of Kentucky, Matt Bevin. He earned his Master of Divinity at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin. Ryan has been married to Lauren Helfenbein for over 18 years, and they have four children.
If you’re interested in having Ryan speak at your next event, please connect with us to schedule him.
Follow Ryan on Twitter at @RHelfenbein
Connor Nash, a 2020 graduate of Liberty University, is the Creative Director for the Standing for Freedom Center. Prior to working for the center, Connor worked with multiple professional sports teams doing video and marketing work as well as directing broadcasts for Liberty University.
James Black is the Research Assistant & Analyst at the Standing for Freedom Center. He graduated from Liberty University in May of 2015 with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Individualized Studies, and in 2022 with a Master of Arts in Promotion & Video Content. Before coming to the Standing for Freedom Center, James served as an intern at the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance and has been featured in multiple stories in the News and Advance and the 2022 edition of Inside Lynchburg Region Magazine. James also worked as a video shader for Liberty Broadcast Experience (LBX) while completing his master’s degree. James is passionate about prioritizing his Christian faith and pursuit of Biblical values through understanding and analyzing data related to local and national political trends.
Michael McCartney, a 2020 graduate of Liberty University, is a videographer and editor for the Standing for Freedom Center. Before working for the center, Michael worked at Bellevue Baptist Church as a live video associate, directing various broadcasts and events.
Maggie Donica, a 2021 graduate of Liberty University, serves as the Event and Student Engagement Manager for the Standing for Freedom Center at Liberty University, where she orchestrates high-impact events that shape the next generation of bold, freedom-loving leaders. From managing Liberty’s 1,000+ student trip to the March for Life to executing the Freedom Center’s annual Summit and high-profile campus speaking events, Maggie loves creating opportunities for students to learn about and engage in political action.
Her passion? Equipping students to step up, speak out, and take action in the fight for truth and liberty. Before joining the Freedom Center, she worked as a Regional Field Coordinator at the Leadership Institute, training conservative campus leaders to build stronger organizations, recruit with confidence, and push back against liberal bias. During college, she also worked as a writer for ToddStarnes.com.
Julia Ball, a 2023 graduate of Liberty University, is the Digital Creative Specialist for the Standing for Freedom Center. Before working for the Freedom Center, Julia worked as a freelance graphic designer for various small businesses. Additionally, she interned at the Career Center at Liberty University. It is Julia’s passion to use her gifts and talents in the arts for God’s glory.
Amy Snead is a dedicated wife, mother of four boys, and a passionate patriot. During the pandemic, she led the charge in Bedford County, VA, by starting at a chapter of Moms for Liberty and serving as the chairwoman for 3 years. She rallied voters to elect conservative leadership through hundreds of hours of grassroots engagement within her local community and statewide. With a background in hospitality and having previously worked as the Director of Hotel Industry Research at The Pennsylvania State University, Amy brings a variety of operational, organizational, and networking skills to the team. As Director of Operations at Liberty University’s Standing for Freedom Center, Amy continues to fight by equipping the next generation to defend life, liberty, and truth.
Justin Henderson is a seasoned digital strategist from Lynchburg with a degree in Business Management Information Systems from Liberty University. He brings over a decade of experience leading outreach for organizations across education, finance, media, and hospitality. At the Standing for Freedom Center, he drives SEO, content strategy, and cross-platform campaigns that consistently boost visibility and performance. Justin excels at turning data into growth, coordinating cross-functional projects, and aligning digital efforts with strategic goals. With a background in IT, music, marketing, and project management, he offers a rare blend of technical insight and creative direction to every initiative he leads.
Kevin Ferreira, originally from Elizabeth, NJ, moved to Lynchburg, VA three years ago and brings a strong creative background rooted in video editing and audio production. A 2020 graduate of NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering with a degree in Integrated Digital Media, Kevin has honed his skills through church media work, personal social content, songwriting, and producing for various clients. No matter the medium, staying creative has always been his top priority.
Heather B. Hayes is editor in chief of the Standing for Freedom Center and oversees the editorial content on the website and special print projects, including the Theology of Politics series. She holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Kentucky and has more than 30 years of experience writing and editing feature articles and books.
Virgil Walker is a teaching pastor at Redeemer Bible Church in Gilbert, Arizona and is a cultural commentator, author, and speaker, known for his regular appearances on Fearless with Jason Whitlock and contributions to The Blaze, BLEXIT, and the Standing for Freedom Center. He is the co-author of Just Thinking About the State, Just Thinking About Ethnicity, Why Are You Afraid?, and A Biblical Theology of Climate Change. Virgil earned his Master of Business Administration from Southern Nazarene University and a Master of Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has been married to Tomeka Walker for 30 years, and they have three adult children.
Grant May, a 2024 graduate of Liberty University, serves as the Communications Specialist for the Standing for Freedom Center. Before joining the Freedom Center, he worked in state-level political advocacy. Grant has spoken at college campuses and conferences across the country and is passionate about equipping believers to defend what matters most with truth and grace.
