We realize the impossibility of the challenge that we have taken on, but believe wholeheartedly in the importance and, indeed, necessity of a more human-centric approach to fighting violent extremism. Our goal is not to find a solution for these complex problems, but to create space for cooperation, dialogue and an approach that places the human element first.
Governments and law enforcement have borne the sole burden of responsibility for far too long – It is time for non-governmental organizations and the private sector to take a more concerted stand in inoculating against extremist ideology and in proliferating pro-social alternatives to violence. Thank you for your interest in The ‘MPOWER Project.
OUR TEAM
The ‘MPOWER Project team is comprised of expert professionals in their respective fields who are dedicated to the cause of ‘Preventing Violent Extremism.’ A majority of our team are based in NYC, however, we work with researchers, advisors and team members globally.
Christy
Christy Grace Provines is a digital media and strategic communications professional who brings disciplines of media and creative strategy from her career in marketing together with subject matter expertise in international security policy and recruitment narratives to violence based groups and extremist ideologies. She is the Founder and President of The ‘MPOWER Project.
As a storyteller, creative solution-builder and messaging strategist, Christy promotes a human-centric approach and trauma-informed lens to develop cognitive resilience against extremist narratives and coercive messaging. Her work has centered on carving out a space for prevention focused collaboration among subject matter experts, practitioners, academics and policy makers – with the goal of building bridges among private/public sector and academia.
She led development of The ‘MPOWER Project’s approach in understanding indicators of highly susceptible audiences and the organization’s audience theory – Identity Vulnerability. She has presented The ‘MPOWER Project’s Framework at The U.S. State Department/GEC, U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, National Counterterrorism Center, the United Nations Secretariat and the United Nations Group of Friends of Preventing Violent Extremism (40+ member states), to name a few.
Christy’s point of view is informed by more than 18 years as a brand/digital marketer. She currently works as Group Director at SwellShark, an independent media agency in NYC where she specializes in sustainability focused brands. She holds a Master of Public Affairs from Columbia University | SIPA where she specialized in international security policy with concentrations in counterterrorism as it relates to media, strategic communications and emerging technology. She also holds a BA in Journalism from Iowa State University.
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Rachael
Rachael Firestone serves as The ‘MPOWER Project’s Director of Research. Rachael holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and political science from the University of Alabama, a Master’s degree in political science from Columbia University, and three years of political science PhD coursework from Vanderbilt University. She has a background in conducting and leading a diversity of research projects at the intersection of politics and psychology. She specializes in using mixed-method approaches to answer research questions that help drive positive social change. Her most recent projects include a large-scale peer-to-peer SMS experiment on voter mobilization, and survey and field experiments on persuasion messaging among swing voters. One of the research projects that she is directing is a comprehensive database of far-right actors actively promoting violence in Western civilizations. This database furthers The ‘MPOWER Project’s research agenda by expanding avenues for analysis relating to the Organization’s original audience theory – Identity Vulnerability.
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Brian
Brian Miller is a filmmaker and non-fiction storyteller based out of New York City. He focuses primarily on creating short-form video content: documentaries, commercials, branded content and promos. Working in the roles of Producer, Videographer and Editor, his work has taken him from Ghana to Japan to Costa Rica, and his client list includes Unilever, GE, McDonalds, Vogue, Bayer, Corcoran, RR Donnelley, and Berlitz, as well as several others. Currently, Brian works with Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs to create video content engaging in topics around economic, political and social welfare issues. He has a particular interest in telling stories that highlight human potential and views The ‘MPOWER Project’s mission – to out-brand destructive ideology through storytelling – to be of utmost importance. Brian will be serving as Co-Creative Director for The ‘MPOWER Project’s creative working group.
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Michael
Michael Tashji is a multi-disciplined creative director living and working in New York City. He received his BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1993, where he focussed on graphic design, architecture, sculpture, and film. After moving to New York City in 1994, he worked for several agencies as a designer and art director. In 2000, he founded a boutique design firm serving colleges, museums, and the marketplace. He joined The City University of New York as creative director in 2005. At CUNY, Michael led marketing and communications initiatives for the university and its colleges, centers, and institutes. He currently volunteers for many civic and non-profit institutions, and mentors through the NYC Board of Education. Michael is serving as Brand Identity Advisor for The ‘MPOWER Project and consults on projects for the Organization as needed.
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Zach
Zach Miller is a senior at Yale University, studying global affairs with a focus in humanitarian affairs and countering extremism. His research-based role within The ‘MPOWER Project is bolstered by overlapping academic study. Zach aims to combine extensive research, a practical eye, and human-centric approaches to deliver creative, pragmatic solutions to out-branding recruitment.
At Yale, Zach has conducted extensive research into extremism, international security, humanitarian development, and the financing of terrorism. His senior capstone, Sanctions, Counterterrorism, and Humanitarian Assistance: How Global Security Efforts Problematize the Delivery of Aid was awarded the Jackson Institute at Yale’s Capstone Prize for Excellence and presented to the U.S. Department of State. He has also interned on Capitol Hill, volunteered to promote voter participation in New Haven and across the U.S., and received Yale’s Certificate for Advanced Study in the Spanish Language.
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Luis
Luis Martinez is a born and raised New Yorker with over 15 years of experience in law enforcement. He has served the New York City Police Department in a diverse set of roles, providing key strategic operational and policy development counsel to the nation’s largest police department. While assigned to the Counterterrorism Division’s Critical Infrastructure Protection Section, Luis conducted security and vulnerability assessments for all critical infrastructure, sensitive locations and large events within New York City, developing appropriate protective strategies to mitigate existing and emerging threats. In his current role as a supervisor at the office of Strategic Initiatives, Luis is tasked with generating and piloting new innovative ideas that improve operational efficiency as well as developing the long-term strategic plans of the Department.
Luis is an MPA candidate, studying public policy at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. He enjoys movies, TV, history and spending time with his wife and children.
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Sammy
Sammy Rangel has spent the last 20 years starting and leading programs and nonprofits. He is considered to have subject matter expertise related to domestic terrorism, as well as, violent and high-risk sex-offenders, urban violence, gangs, substance abuse, domestic violence, and youth in high-risk lifestyles. He is routinely consulted in projects related to research, program development and nonprofit management and development in these same areas. These efforts have raised millions of dollars to address these affecting national public safety, public health and the lives of countless individuals.
Sammy co-founded Life After Hate, Inc., a unique non- profit organization founded and operated by former violent extremists.
He is the author of FOURBEARS: The Myths of Forgiveness, an autobiography, chronicling physical and sexual abuse he endured as a child which eventually led him down a path of self-destruction and his path of change and recovery. He was invited to present at Tedx Danubia on The Power of Forgiveness in 2015.
In August 2012, he founded Formers Anonymous (FA). FA is a national self-help group based on a 12-step model for those addicted to street life looking for support and answers about change and recovery.
As a serial entrepreneur, Sammy has led the successful development of many national models in the nonprofit industry and research in fields such as addictions, re-entry, crisis intervention, best practices, and social evolution.
He is a beacon of light in the communities he works within and has received numerous awards and recognitions over the years for his dedication serving the public as a whole and individuals in need of help.
As an international speaker, consultant, podcaster, coach, and radio personality his messages of healing and transformation are highly sought after and captivating. Sammy considers his most crucial role in life being a loving and present father to his children.
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Christy
Christy Grace Provines is a digital media and strategic communications professional who brings disciplines of media and creative strategy from her career in marketing together with subject matter expertise in international security policy and recruitment narratives to violence based groups and extremist ideologies. She is the Founder and President of The ‘MPOWER Project.
As a storyteller, creative solution-builder and messaging strategist, Christy promotes a human-centric approach and trauma-informed lens to develop cognitive resilience against extremist narratives and coercive messaging. Her work has centered on carving out a space for prevention focused collaboration among subject matter experts, practitioners, academics and policy makers – with the goal of building bridges among private/public sector and academia.
She led development of The ‘MPOWER Project’s approach in understanding indicators of highly susceptible audiences and the organization’s audience theory – Identity Vulnerability. She has presented The ‘MPOWER Project’s Framework at The U.S. State Department/GEC, U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, National Counterterrorism Center, the United Nations Secretariat and the United Nations Group of Friends of Preventing Violent Extremism (40+ member states), to name a few.
Christy’s point of view is informed by more than 18 years as a brand/digital marketer. She currently works as Group Director at SwellShark, an independent media agency in NYC where she specializes in sustainability focused brands. She holds a Master of Public Affairs from Columbia University | SIPA where she specialized in international security policy with concentrations in counterterrorism as it relates to media, strategic communications and emerging technology. She also holds a BA in Journalism from Iowa State University.
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Rachael
Rachael Firestone serves as The ‘MPOWER Project’s Director of Research. Rachael holds a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and political science from the University of Alabama, a Master’s degree in political science from Columbia University, and three years of political science PhD coursework from Vanderbilt University. She has a background in conducting and leading a diversity of research projects at the intersection of politics and psychology. She specializes in using mixed-method approaches to answer research questions that help drive positive social change. Her most recent projects include a large-scale peer-to-peer SMS experiment on voter mobilization, and survey and field experiments on persuasion messaging among swing voters. One of the research projects that she is directing is a comprehensive database of far-right actors actively promoting violence in Western civilizations. This database furthers The ‘MPOWER Project’s research agenda by expanding avenues for analysis relating to the Organization’s original audience theory – Identity Vulnerability.
Close
Zach
Zach Miller is a senior at Yale University, studying global affairs with a focus in humanitarian affairs and countering extremism. His research-based role within The ‘MPOWER Project is bolstered by overlapping academic study. Zach aims to combine extensive research, a practical eye, and human-centric approaches to deliver creative, pragmatic solutions to out-branding recruitment.
At Yale, Zach has conducted extensive research into extremism, international security, humanitarian development, and the financing of terrorism. His senior capstone, Sanctions, Counterterrorism, and Humanitarian Assistance: How Global Security Efforts Problematize the Delivery of Aid was awarded the Jackson Institute at Yale’s Capstone Prize for Excellence and presented to the U.S. Department of State. He has also interned on Capitol Hill, volunteered to promote voter participation in New Haven and across the U.S., and received Yale’s Certificate for Advanced Study in the Spanish Language.
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Tim
After completing a Bachelor of General Studies at the University of Michigan (’04), Tim Shores spent twelve formative years in the San Francisco East Bay working as a data systems developer, IT manager, and relationship manager for small business and nonprofit clients. Since 2015, he has contributed his skills to organizations making an impact in the fields of economic development, land use, sustainable forestry, Indigenous rights, energy policy, and international development. Outside of his system support and research roles for The ‘MPOWER Project, Tim is a communications specialist at Cisco, data manager and researcher for the Forest Defenders Alliance, a Data Working Group member of the Alliance for Land, Indigenous and Environmental Defenders, a community knowledge worker, and a storyteller.
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Christy
Christy Grace Provines is a digital media and strategic communications professional who brings disciplines of media and creative strategy from her career in marketing together with subject matter expertise in international security policy and recruitment narratives to violence based groups and extremist ideologies. She is the Founder and President of The ‘MPOWER Project.
As a storyteller, creative solution-builder and messaging strategist, Christy promotes a human-centric approach and trauma-informed lens to develop cognitive resilience against extremist narratives and coercive messaging. Her work has centered on carving out a space for prevention focused collaboration among subject matter experts, practitioners, academics and policy makers – with the goal of building bridges among private/public sector and academia.
She led development of The ‘MPOWER Project’s approach in understanding indicators of highly susceptible audiences and the organization’s audience theory – Identity Vulnerability. She has presented The ‘MPOWER Project’s Framework at The U.S. State Department/GEC, U.S. Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, National Counterterrorism Center, the United Nations Secretariat and the United Nations Group of Friends of Preventing Violent Extremism (40+ member states), to name a few.
Christy’s point of view is informed by more than 18 years as a brand/digital marketer. She currently works as Group Director at SwellShark, an independent media agency in NYC where she specializes in sustainability focused brands. She holds a Master of Public Affairs from Columbia University | SIPA where she specialized in international security policy with concentrations in counterterrorism as it relates to media, strategic communications and emerging technology. She also holds a BA in Journalism from Iowa State University.
Close
Brian
Brian Miller is a filmmaker and non-fiction storyteller based out of New York City. He focuses primarily on creating short-form video content: documentaries, commercials, branded content and promos. Working in the roles of Producer, Videographer and Editor, his work has taken him from Ghana to Japan to Costa Rica, and his client list includes Unilever, GE, McDonalds, Vogue, Bayer, Corcoran, RR Donnelley, and Berlitz, as well as several others. Currently, Brian works with Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs to create video content engaging in topics around economic, political and social welfare issues. He has a particular interest in telling stories that highlight human potential and views The ‘MPOWER Project’s mission – to out-brand destructive ideology through storytelling – to be of utmost importance. Brian will be serving as Co-Creative Director for The ‘MPOWER Project’s creative working group.
Close
Ryan
Ryan is an award winning Director, Producer and Editor who lives in New York City. Over his 10+ year career he has directed not only for film and TV, but also commercial spots and documentaries for brands such as Nike, McDonald’s, Pepsi, Heineken, Toyota, Versace, New Era and countless others. His “One of a Kind” series for Dr Pepper won the 2015 Digiday award for Best Branded Content Series and he has also won several Telly Awards and Communicator Awards. From 2010 – 2015 he was the Director of Video Production at Complex Media and currently works as the Director of Branded Content at the Whistle Sports Network, where he specializes in developing and creating content that connect with both millennial and Gen Z audiences. In addition to his role as Co-Creative Director for The ‘MPOWER Project, he is also hard at work on his second novel.
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Michael
Michael Tashji is a multi-disciplined creative director living and working in New York City. He received his BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1993, where he focussed on graphic design, architecture, sculpture, and film. After moving to New York City in 1994, he worked for several agencies as a designer and art director. In 2000, he founded a boutique design firm serving colleges, museums, and the marketplace. He joined The City University of New York as creative director in 2005. At CUNY, Michael led marketing and communications initiatives for the university and its colleges, centers, and institutes. He currently volunteers for many civic and non-profit institutions, and mentors through the NYC Board of Education. Michael is serving as Brand Identity Advisor for The ‘MPOWER Project and consults on projects for the Organization as needed.
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Miranda
Miranda Lane is a NYC transplant originally hailing from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She is heavily involved in the theater community in New York City, and is currently managing a small New Works space for Lincoln Center Theater, on the storied Lincoln Center campus. Miranda’s experience with creative writing is born out of a deep love for storytelling through film, and in 2016 she saw her first short film script produced and debut at the New York Short Film Festival. She happily resides on the UWS in Manhattan with her rescue dog Roxy.
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The ‘MPOWER Project has a team of Research Associates at various accredited Universities in the United States, UK and Canada.
