The Cato Institute is proud to announce that several of its scholars have been named to Washingtonian magazine’s 2025 list of the “500 Most Influential People Shaping Policy” in Washington, DC. This prestigious annual list honors experts and advocates outside of government who are playing critical roles in shaping the nation’s policy conversations.

“We are honored to see our scholars recognized for their policy leadership,” said Peter Goettler, President and CEO of the Cato Institute. “This acknowledgment reflects not only their personal expertise but also the importance of principled, liberty-focused ideas in shaping America’s public debates. It affirms the impact they are making in Washington and across the country.”

The Cato scholars recognized this year include:

Nicholas Anthony is a Policy Analyst at the Cato Institute’s Center for Monetary and Financial Alternatives. His research focuses on monetary and financial economics, including central bank digital currencies, financial privacy, cryptocurrency, and the broader role of money in society. His commentary and analysis have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Fortune, and The Hill.

David Bier is Director of Immigration Studies at the Cato Institute. He specializes in legal immigration, border security, and interior enforcement. His research has been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court and multiple federal appellate courts, and he has testified before both the U.S. House and Senate. Bier’s work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, Politico, and on national broadcast outlets including NPR and CNN.

Michael F. Cannon is Director of Health Policy Studies at the Cato Institute. His work spans a wide array of health policy issues, including Medicare, Medicaid, public health, health care regulation, private insurance, pharmaceutical policy, and international health systems. Cannon has appeared on NBC News, Fox News, PBS NewsHour, and C‑SPAN, and his commentary has been published in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Atlantic. This marks his 5th consecutive appearance on Washingtonian’s list of most influential policy experts.

This recognition affirms Cato’s unwavering mission to promote individual liberty through rigorous, nonpartisan policy research that informs decision-makers and shapes the public discourse.

About the Cato Institute
The Cato Institute is a public policy research organization dedicated to the principles of individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peace. Founded in 1977, Cato works to create a free and open society in which liberty allows every individual to pursue a life of prosperity and meaning in peace.

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