National Prayer Breakfast Foundation
Board Members
A word from our Chair, former Senator Heidi Heitkamp:
It is my continuing honor to serve as Chair of the National Prayer Breakfast Foundation for another year. We held the 72nd National Prayer Breakfast on February 1st 2024 in Statuary Hall for the first time in the history of the event. My fellow Board members and I count it a privilege to provide this service to the President and the Members of Congress.
Our Board continues to evolve. Three additional inaugural Board members have rotated off the Board this year, specifically Mr. Max Finberg, Mr. Stan Holmes and Mrs. Grace Nelson. We have been grateful for their active support in launching our new Foundation. However, we couldn’t be more pleased with the two new board members who have joined our cadre—former Senator of Louisiana Mary Landrieu and former Representative JC Watts from the 4th Congressional District of Oklahoma.
Our Foundation is now in preparation for the 73rd National Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, February 6, 2025. Our plan is to again make the event available for online viewing for those of you who would like to join us on this journey of reconciliation.
Yours truly,
Heidi Heitkamp
Board Members
U.S. Senator (2013 – 2019)
Director, University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics
Senator Heitkamp served in the U.S. Senate from 2013-2019 representing the state of North Dakota. She also served as North Dakota’s Attorney General and elected State Tax Commissioner. She is the founder and Chair of the One Country Project. Effective January 3, 2023, Senator Heitkamp will serve as the new director of the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics.
Senator Mary Landrieu served three terms as a United States Senator for Louisiana from 1997 to 2015. During her tenure, she chaired the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and played a key role in passing legislation for disaster recovery, energy policy, and children's health care. Since leaving the Senate, she has continued her work as a policy advocate, particularly in areas of energy, disaster resilience, and education.
US Representative (2009-2021)
Retired Physician
Congressman Roe is a retired physician and six term Member of Congress. He is an ardent supporter of the bipartisan Prayer Breakfast.
Family Business Owner
Mrs. Aderholt is an owner, manager and shareholder in family-owned businesses involved in farming and real estate, including McDonald Farms Partnership, Greenbrier Enterprises LLC, and Armadale Properties LLC. Since 2012, she has served as committee co-chair for The Women’s Events for the National Prayer Breakfast. She is the wife of Congressman Robert Aderholt.
U.S. Representative (1995 - 2003)
J.C. Watts is a former U.S. Congressman from Oklahoma, serving in the House of Representatives from 1995 to 2003. During his time in Congress, he was elected as Chairman of the Republican Conference, becoming the first Black American to hold a leadership position in the Republican Party. Watts is a prominent business leader and founder of several ventures, including his own consulting firm, and remains a strong advocate for education, economic empowerment, and incarceration reforms .
Private Investor
Mr. Austin is a private investor and adviser. Before beginning his independent investment and advisory activities, Mr. Austin worked for the US Department of the Treasury as an international financial advisor on Russia, as a Wall Street lawyer with Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton LLP in New York and as a qualified accountant, having worked with Coopers & Lybrand (now PriceWaterhouseCoopers).
U.S. Representative (2011 – 2019)
President and CEO, Illinois Bankers Association
Congressman Hultgren is a lawyer, investment advisor, banker, and politician. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 – 2019 representing the 14th Congressional District of Illinois. Prior to that he served in the Illinois State Senate, Illinois State House of Representatives, and DuPage County Board. He is currently the President and CEO of the Illinois Bankers Association.