Press Release
March 1, 2023

Empower Oversight Announces New President

Former Senate-Confirmed MSPB Member Tristan Leavitt Added to Leadership Team

WASHINGTON — Empower Oversight today announced the hiring of Tristan Leavitt as the new President of the organization. Founder Jason Foster remains Chairman of the Board and will continue to serve a senior advisory role in the organization.

“It’s truly an honor to join Empower Oversight as its new President. In just a short time, Jason Foster has built a nationally-recognized organization as he’s helped whistleblowers make important contributions to our public discourse. I can’t wait to hit the ground running rooting out waste, fraud, abuse, mismanagement, and politicization, which erode trust in our vital public institutions. That wouldn’t be possible without whistleblowers who put their livelihoods at risk in the name of transparency, and we will leave no stone unturned in ensuring they are protected,” said Tristan Leavitt, President of Empower Oversight.

“Tristan is the perfect choice to help take Empower Oversight to the next level. His experience with whistleblowers and employee protection will be an invaluable asset to our mission. There is absolutely no one I would trust more with the honor of helping those who seek our help and risk their careers in the service of public integrity. Under his leadership, this organization will continue to help brave whistleblowers empower more effective oversight and accountability of our public institutions,” said Jason Foster, Founder and Chair of Empower Oversight.

Tristan Leavitt comes to Empower Oversight from the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), where he was confirmed by the United States Senate in March 2022. Leavitt had served at MSPB since his appointment as general counsel of the agency in October 2018. Prior to his appointment to the MSPB, Leavitt served as the principal deputy special counsel and acting special counsel at the United States Office of Special Counsel. Leavitt also has extensive experience on Capitol Hill, serving on both the United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform and the Senate Judiciary Committee. Leavitt earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brigham Young University in 2007, where he served as student body vice-president. Later, Leavitt earned a Juris Doctor degree from Georgetown University.

For more information about Empower Oversight and the group’s work, please visit https://empoweroversig.wpengine.com/