Washington, DC — Taxpayers for Common Sense’s Board of Directors (TCS) has elected Meredith McGehee as its Chair. She takes the helm from longtime Chair Mark Smith, who is planning to leave  the board at the end of the year after more than a decade of board service.

McGehee is a nationally recognized voice on transparency, accountability, and ethics in government. She has led or held senior positions at Issue One, the Campaign Legal Center, and Common Cause, and has advised nonprofits and coalitions on reform and governance. Her experience navigating policy debates and strengthening institutions comes at a time when fiscal challenges are mounting and public accountability is more critical than ever.

“I’m honored to assume this leadership role at Taxpayers for Common Sense—an organization I’ve long admired,” McGehee said. “With the national debt soaring, misinformation rampant, and fiscal choices becoming tougher, taxpayers need a watchdog that is fearless, fact-based, and independent. TCS has been that for thirty years. I’m proud to help guide its next chapter.”

Steve Ellis, President of TCS, welcomed McGehee’s election. “Meredith has spent her career pushing for accountability. Her deep experience in ethics and reform makes her the right leader for this moment. And we are deeply grateful to Mark Smith for his steady leadership and wise counsel over many years.”

Smith’s career spans leadership roles across the nonprofit sector. Before joining the TCS board, he served as Executive Director of Blue Star Families and CEO of Operation Homefront, and earlier worked on national security programs at The Philanthropy Roundtable and served as an officer in the U.S. Army. His tenure on the TCS board helped the organization expand its reach and sharpen its watchdog role as it entered its third decade.

TCS also announced that Danielle Brian will conclude her service on the board at the end of the year. As Executive Director of the Project On Government Oversight (POGO) since 1993, Brian built a small operation into one of Washington’s leading watchdogs, uncovering waste, fraud, and abuse across the federal government. “Danielle’s voice on our board has been invaluable,” Ellis said. “Her impact on the broader accountability community is profound, and we are grateful she brought that insight to TCS.” (See list of full TCS Board)

Founded in 1995, Taxpayers for Common Sense is a nonpartisan budget watchdog dedicated to making sure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and in the broad national interest. The organization will celebrate its 30th anniversary on October 8 at North Hall, Eastern Market, near its longtime Capitol Hill headquarters.

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