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Michael Wear

Founder

Michael Wear is the Founder, President and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, a nonpartisan, nonprofit institution based in the nation's capital with the mission to contend for the credibility of Christian resources in public life, for the public good. For well over a decade, he has served as a trusted resource and advisor for a range of civic leaders on matters of faith and public life, including as a White House and presidential campaign staffer. Michael is a leading voice on building a healthy civic pluralism in twenty-first century America. He has argued that the spiritual health and civic character of individuals is deeply tied to the state of our politics and public affairs. 

Michael previously led Public Square Strategies, a consulting firm he founded that helps religious organizations, political organizations, businesses and others effectively navigate the rapidly changing American religious and political landscape.

Michael's next book, The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life, will be released on January 23, 2024. Michael’s first book, Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America, offers reflections, analysis and ideas about the role of faith in the Obama years and what it means for today. He has co-authored, or contributed to, several other books, including Compassion and Conviction: The AND Campaign's Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement, with Justin Giboney and Chris Butler. He also writes for The Atlantic, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Catapult Magazine, Christianity Today and other publications on faith, politics and culture.

Michael holds an honorary position at the University of Birmingham’s Cadbury Center for the Public Understanding of Religion. Michael and his wife, Melissa, are both proud natives of Buffalo, New York. They now reside in Maryland, where they are raising their beloved daughters, Saoirse and Ilaria. 

Melissa Wear

Owner & Principal Consultant

Melissa is the Owner of Public Square Strategies and its Principal Consultant. For the last 15 years, she's worked in international settings on organizational strategy, program design and strategy, communications, fundraising, and relationship building. An expert in European politics and transatlantic relations, Melissa’s work on global issues such as religion and belief, violent extremism, international development, soft power, and arts and culture is broadly respected on both sides of the Atlantic. In her role for Public Square Strategies, she helps religious, secular, international, and philanthropic organizations define their strategy, design programs, develop strategic messaging, plan external communications, produce insights, strengthen networks, build relationships, and lead in matters of global concern. She also co-hosts a news podcast, Wear We Are, and produces a Substack under the same name with her husband, Michael. She was previously Director of Society for seven years at the British Council, managing their Thought Leadership portfolio, an area of work concerning the intersection of cultural and international relations. Before her time at the British Embassy, she spent five years at the Department of State. She holds an MA in European Politics and a BA in International Studies from American University. Melissa and Michael, are proud natives of Buffalo, New York. They now reside in Maryland, where they are raising their beloved daughters, Saoirse and Ilaria.

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