KJ Lynum was born in Singapore and has lived all over the world including the Philippines, Japan, Norway, Texas, and New Jersey.
KJ’s professional journey started during her college years when she established the one conservative student organization at Emerson College in the liberal stronghold of Boston, MA. During her time running the organization, she was involved in a highly publicized incident that led to her departure from Emerson College.
She is an advocate for free speech, particularly known for her activism on college campuses serving as Boston’s Campus Coordinator for 2 years. She first gained widespread attention when her conservative group at Emerson College was suspended in 2021, by her school’s President, for criticizing the Chinese government in light of the 2022 Beijing Olympics. This incident thrust her into the national spotlight as a defender of free expression, with her case becoming a talking point in the broader conversation about cancel culture and free speech on college campuses.
Since then, she has been featured in advertisements for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a major free-speech organization that campaigns to protect First Amendment rights in various areas of American life, including universities, workplaces, and pop culture. In these campaigns, Lynum advocates for the right to express diverse opinions and emphasizes the importance of protecting free speech for all Americans, regardless of political affiliation.
KJ Lynum is the Events Coordinator at the Leadership Institute, where she contributes her skills and dedication to supporting the Institute’s mission of developing effective conservative leaders. KJ’s experiences have equipped her with a diverse skill set that she applies to her current role day in and out. Outside of work, KJ is involved in volunteer work within the political sphere and educating those in her community, reflecting her commitment to personal growth and positive impact.