Leadership

Board of Directors

Together with the Honorary Congressional Co-Chairs, the Board prepares the annual gathering consistent with the vision and purpose of the United States Prayer Breakfast.

A word from the Chair

J.C. Watts, Jr.

It is an honor for me to follow former Senators Mark Pryor and Heidi Heitkamp as Chair of the Foundation. Under their leadership, we began the tradition of holding the Prayer Breakfasts at the United States Capitol.

Now, we began another new era for the Prayer Breakfast.

In 1953, when Members of Congress established the Prayer Breakfast it was called the Presidential Prayer Breakfast. Then, in 1970, it was renamed to the National Prayer Breakfast.

In honor of the 75th Prayer Breakfast and as acknowledgment of much needed unity in America, this critical breakfast held at the United States Capitol and sponsored by the Members of Congress is now known as the United States Prayer Breakfast. We are uniting our leaders in prayer with the principles of Jesus of Nazareth as our guide. We aspire to create an event where loving and praying with our friends and our enemies can be nurtured.

We expect the programming to be available online. Therefore, we welcome you to join us virtually in prayer for our leaders and for the future of this great nation.

J.C. Watts, Jr.
Chair

Chair

J.C. Watts, Jr.

U.S. Representative, 1995 to 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.

Treasurer

Carlos Austin

Private investor

Mr. Austin is a private investor and adviser. Before beginning his independent investment and advisory activities, Mr. Austin worked for the U.S. 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).

Secretary

Cathy McMorris Rodgers

U.S. Representative, 2005 to 2025

Cathy McMorris Rodgers is a former Congresswoman from the state of Washington serving in the House of Representatives from 2005 to 2025. From 2013 to 2019, she chaired the House Republican Conference. She previously served in the Washington House of Representatives.

Board Member

Evan Bayh

U.S. Senator, 1999 to 2011

Birch Evans (Evan) Bayh III served as a United States Senator representing Indiana from 1999 to 2011. Previously, he served as the 46th Governor of Indiana. Under President Joe Biden, he served on the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board.

Board Member

Tim Hutchinson

U.S. Senator, 1997 to 2003

Timothy Hutchinson served in the United States Senate representing the state of Arkansas from 1997 to 2003. He was the first Republican U.S. senator to represent Arkansas since the Reconstruction era. Prior to serving in the United States Senate, he served in the House of Representatives.

Board Member

Mary Landrieu

U.S. Senator, 1997 to 2015

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.

Board Member

Phil Roe

U.S. Representative, 2009 to 2021

Congressman Roe is a retired physician and six-term Member of Congress. He is an ardent supporter of the bipartisan Prayer Breakfast.