Meet the Team - Princetonians for Free Speech

The Princetonians for Free Speech staff is small -- but mighty -- in our passion for fueling the fight for free speech at Princeton and across campuses nationwide!
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Angela Smith

Executive Director

"Tolerance is in decline. Free speech and viewpoint diversity are in big trouble. These rights are fundamentally important to the advancement of knowledge and critical thinking. I want to help create a world where my children can freely speak their minds at school, on their university campus, or in the world -- without fear of retribution or censorship."

Angela Smith has over 20 years’ experience in the private and nonprofit sectors with expertise in philanthropy, organizational leadership, marketing and events. She is the inaugural Executive Director of Princetonians for Free Speech, responsible for driving strategic growth and impact to promote free speech and academic freedom at Princeton, as well as other universities.

Previously, she served as Executive Vice President of the Badger Institute, a Wisconsin-based think tank, building visibility, brand awareness and financial resources, and a donor-advised fund, leading communications, events, philanthropic relationships and strategy to help facilitate charitable giving conversations. Prior to her tenure in nonprofit, Smith spent 10 years in the private sector, executing business-to-business marketing strategies in banking, manufacturing and SaaS.

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. She is a Southeastern Wisconsin native and lives in the area with her two children.


Abigail Readlinger, 2027

Writing Fellow

"Human nature reveals the necessity to pursue truth. As college students in a rigorous academic environment, we are given a special opportunity for this pursuit. We are given the chance to understand, challenge, and grapple with not only our own beliefs, but also with the beliefs of others. We must therefore have a sincere and resolute dedication to free speech and free expression, for it is only through open and honest dialogue that truth is revealed."

Abigail Readlinger ‘27 is studying Politics with a minor in History. Her activities include Princeton Pro-Life, Aquinas Institute for Catholic Life, Orange Key Tour Guide, Campus Visit Ambassador, and occasional contributor to The Princeton Tory. A Princeton local, she is excited to represent both her university and hometown as a PFS Writing Fellow.


Elaine Gao, 2028

Writing Fellow

"Freedom of speech is no freedom if it remains an immutable idea on a framed paper. It is the act of discussing, challenging, and exercising one's freedom of speech that makes this freedom alive."

Elaine Gao '28 is studying History, French, and Humanistic Studies. On campus, she is a member of Princeton Christian Fellowship, Princeton Debate Panel, and the vice president of Princeton Legal Journal. She hails from Beijing, China.

 


Suheyla Akman, 2028

Writing Fellow

"When agreement becomes the default, critical thinking dies. Intellectual progress requires dissenting voices, uncomfortable questions, and the courage to speak up. As students, we must ensure those principles are actively defended on campus."

Suheyla Akman '28 is studying Public & International Affairs with a certificate in Entrepreneurship. On campus, she is active in Princeton Women in Entrepreneurship, the Princeton Club Equestrian Team, Blossom Together, and the Center for Career DevelopmentOriginally from Turkey, she brings a global perspective to her passion for defending open dialogue and free expression at Princeton.