This article highlighting National Whistleblower Day 2025 developments and speakers was sent as part of NWC’s “Sunday Read” series. For more information like this, please join our mailing list.
We are one month away from National Whistleblower Day, which is observed annually on July 30. National Whistleblower Center (NWC) will again, in 2025, host a live event celebrating the day’s 12th anniversary in Washington D.C. The event explores the day’s historical significance, provides exclusive networking opportunities and the chance for attendees to hear directly from whistleblowers, advocates and elected officials who continue to provide support and insight.
Several of the speakers at this year’s event on Capitol Hill have been announced, with more to be added. In this Sunday Read, we’ll shine a light on three speakers who will have a presence at National Whistleblower Day, and why the topic of artificial intelligence will also be a focal point for dialogue.
The Speakers
Sen. Ron Wyden
(D-OR)
Sen. Ron Wyden is one of NWC’s most prestigious and influential allies. His time in Congress dates back to 1981 as a representative, and he became Senator in a 1996 special election.
Since then, he has made an enormous impact on the whistleblower community. Along with Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) in 2015, Wyden founded and continues to Co-Chair the Senate Whistleblower Caucus. He serves as Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and as a senior member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
Wyden has demonstrated an understanding of whistleblowers’ plights, and has also used his membership on the Senate Intelligence Committee to help protect whistleblowers.
“The reality is, the difficulties whistleblowers face and the challenges of standing up and speaking out have never been greater,” said Wyden, during his National Whistleblower Day address in 2021.
“This is certainly not a time for the faint of heart. Whistleblowers are needed now more than ever. So, I hope none of you give up on fighting for the truth and doing the public good.”
Gary Shapley
Deputy Chief, IRS Criminal Investigation
Given his deep knowledge of financial crime enforcement and commitment to systemic reform, Gary Shapley was appointed to his post on March 19, 2025. In this role, he oversees approximately 2,200 special agents across 20 U.S. field offices and 14 international posts, directing investigations into tax fraud, money laundering, cybercrime, public corruption, identity theft, narcotics trafficking, and terrorist financing.
Shapley sits on the executive board of the IRS Whistleblower Office — meaning he participates in oversight of its Whistleblower Program which recently debuted its first multi-year operating plan.
He began his IRS‑CI career in 2009 as a special agent, gaining expertise in complex international financial crime cases involving offshore accounts and high‑net‑worth individuals. He previously served as supervisory special agent for IRS‑CI’s elite International Tax and Financial Crime group and was a senior advisor to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Dr. Tommie “Toni” Savage
Army Corps Whistleblower
Dr. Tommie “Toni” Savage is a whistleblower from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who exposed contracting fraud within the agency’s “Ranges Program.” While serving as a highly respected contracting officer in the Huntsville, Alabama Contracting Division, Toni uncovered millions of dollars in fraudulent contracts. She endured relentless, career-ending retaliation for reporting the misconduct — even after multiple internal and external audits confirmed her claims.
Toni achieved a pivotal legal victory when the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) ruled in her favor, establishing the precedent that federal whistleblowers can bring hostile work environment claims. She sacrificed her career and jeopardized her health to stand up for integrity in government contracting. Her courage and resilience remain both a personal inspiration and a stark call for stronger whistleblower protections.
She shared her story at the Center’s Capitol Hill event in 2017 and returned in 2023 after successfully settling her case with attorney NWC Founder, President and Director Michael Kohn.
Whistleblower Network News’ podcast, “Whistleblower of the Week,” explored Savage’s whistleblowing journey, her decade long retaliation case, and the impact her case has for other federal employee whistleblowers.
In 2025, Savage was named to NWC’s Board of Directors. She has served as an advisory member on the NWC’s National Whistleblower Day committee, and co-led the 2024 Day’s ceremony.
AI to Prompt Discussions at National Whistleblower Day
The importance of transparency and accountability in the artificial intelligence sector will be discussed during NWC’s National Whistleblower Day celebration on July 30 on Capitol Hill.
With 10% of workers reporting they use chatbot sites like ChatGPT every day and over half of business owners implementing the technology for cybersecurity and fraud management, AI has permeated most every industry and profession in the U.S. in the past five years. And as with most innovations and technologies, AI is emerging and evolving faster than laws and governance designed to protect users.
As previously discussed, Sen. Grassley, co-chair of the Senate Whistleblower Caucus, introduced the AI Whistleblower Protection Act to provide explicit whistleblower protections to those developing and deploying AI. If passed, the bill could mark a major turning point for transparency in the sector, and is sure to be on the July 30 agenda.
“Transparency brings accountability,” said Grassley, who will also be a featured speaker at National Whistleblower Day. “Today, too many people working in AI feel they’re unable to speak up when they see something wrong. Whistleblowers are one of the best ways to ensure Congress keeps pace as the AI industry rapidly develops. We need to act to make these protections crystal clear.”
National Whistleblower Day: A Top NWC Priority
As previously discussed, establishing a permanent National Whistleblower Day is one of the NWC’s seven campaigns. An official act would mandate that all federal agencies honor the day, provide whistleblower training to their employees, and celebrate the contributions that whistleblower have made to democracy and society.
NWC has revamped its National Whistleblower Day page, featuring individual segments of each speaker from last year’s celebration and dating back annually to 2014. More speakers will be added to www.nationalwhistleblowerday.org ahead of the July 30, 2025 celebration. Subscribe to the Sunday Readseries for more announcements and preview coverage.
You can RSVP for this year’s event, which will be exclusively in-person. You can also contribute to a separate fundraiser for the Day, with unique gifts for donors.
Additional Resources
The decision to come forward is not one to be taken lightly, nor should selecting a whistleblower lawyer. NWC provides resources that can connect you with the right legal professional prior to taking any action.
Support NWC
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This story was written by Justin Smulison, a professional writer, podcaster, and event host based in New York.
