Michael Needham

Director, Asian Studies Center

As Director of The Asian Studies Center (ASC), Mike Needham directs a staff of eight analysts and researchers committed to fostering the development of political reform, economic freedom and strong U.S. security ties in Asia. He also oversees the Washington Roundtable for the Asia-Pacific Press (WRAPP), which facilitates discussion on a broad range of public policy issues affecting US-Asia relations.

Prior to joining the ASC, Needham was Chief of Staff of The Heritage Foundation – Washington’s largest and most influential think tank and public policy organization. He worked with Heritage President Ed Feulner on all matters of public policy as well as Dr. Feulner’s conservative movement activities.

In that time, he worked extensively on matters of American strategic communications in the war on terror, the role of international organizations in American foreign policy, and American fiscal policy. He has also worked closely with Feulner on the writing and production of his book, Getting America Right: The True Conservative Values Our Nation Needs Today.

Prior to joining The Heritage Foundation, Needham worked for the New York Mets baseball organization. He earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Economics from Williams College.