Brad Johansen Leaving NBC4 Columbus: Where Is the Anchor Going? For 2015, the organization listed spending just $44,645 on salaries but more than $60,000 on "advertising and promotion" and $50,298 on travel. I thank whatever gods may be. Mina loves her position at State and decided to withdraw herself from the process to focus on stabilization operations. Linking the World has never usedeither pieceandthey werenever part ofanymedia packageusedfor Mina. that she made up a [U.N.] panel, wasnt entitled to call herself an alumna of HBS, or actively brought a picture to an interview, then, perhaps, Ill consider participating in a fair process.". My hope is that youll re-read that article now, and see it for what it is, a classic hit-job.I received some of that reporters questions, and it was clear from the outset, that he had already made up his mind. An old profile, published on the parenting website DFWChild,states that she has a degree in international development from the University of Hawaii. In 2015, her charity received tax exempt status from the IRS, according to public records. Another NDA was signed by a freelance journalist who was planning to accompany Chang on a 2015 trip to Afghanistan that was sponsored by the defense contractor AMS. Mina has never claimed to have a degree from Harvard. Her information from the State Department mentions she is an "alumna" of Harvard Business School. Mina did participate at both the RNC/DNC conventions through an event called Global Oval, one of many events that are side bars to the main convention. Our aim is to ensure lessons are being learned, innovation is prioritized, and the true reality of violent extremist situations is being reported rather than political rhetoric and individual agendas. University Attended: Harvard Law School. Our advocacy strategy is composed of creating awareness and promoting common-sense policies, laws, and regulations across the legislative and executive branches of the US government. Mina Chang, who served as the deputy assistant secretary in the State Department 's Bureau of Conflict and Stability Operations, came under scrutiny last week after NBC News reported that she had misrepresented her academic credentials and created a fake Time magazine cover with her face on it. Mina Chang, the U.S. State Department's deputy assistant secretary for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, is learning this lesson the hard way. HLS Professors. Law School Regulation; Access to Justice. A government contractor, AlliedBarton Security Services, sponsored a fundraising dinner in 2016 for her nonprofit in Dallas, and the keynote speaker was John Melkon, director of civil-military operations at West Point. Mina Chang and former CIA director David Petraeus in a 2017 Instagram photo. But it's unclear precisely what contributions her organization made to relief efforts. "While Congressman McCaul offered a recommendation letter based on her previous work and advocacy on issues like global fragility and countering violent extremism, it is clear now she was not entirely forthcoming with the State Department and others," said Kaylin Minton, spokesperson for McCaul. So, for clarity, Mina is very happily engaged to the ever so wonderful Jake Harriman. The administration announced an intent to nominate her in late 2018. A fake Time magazine cover with her face on it added credibility to her bio for at least some people who found it online. Whatever her qualifications, Chang had a key connection in the Trump administration. "One of the great mysteries of life for me has always been the question of why bad things happen to great people? Surely, Im never one to question the work of God, still when I see the obstacles he puts in the path of someone like, Mina Chang, I become even more convinced that each such challenge is a window into a bigger opportunity. Brian Bulatao, a top figure in the State Department and longtime friend of Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, attended a fundraiser for her nonprofit in Dallas and once donated $5,500 to her charity, according to a former colleague of Chang's. New York, NY 10036-6518; Peer Reviews. In May 2013, Chang was diagnosed with brain cancer and underwent chemotherapy for a year. ISLN: 1000251692. Chang showed up with stuff to give out at a bunch of locations around . Chang represented the cover as genuine and replied: "We started using drone technology in disaster response, and so that was when the whole talk of how is technology being used to save lives in disaster response scenarios and I suppose I brought some attention to that". November 13, 2019 [7] In her resignation letter, Chang claimed that "character assassination based solely on innuendo was launched against me attacking my credentials and character. Chang hired a succession of public relations consultants to help craft a convincing picture for her non-governmental organization, Linking the World, even though there was not much to go on. On a personal note, I could not be more disgusted with the unwarranted attack on our organization or Minas tireless work to help those who arent able to help themselves. Even a cursory online search would provide evidence of our activities since 2001, and I have summarized 2001 2015 here: https://www.linkingtheworld.org/ltw-brief-history-2001-2015. Two Other Money Laundering Indictments Unsealed as Part of Operation "Phantom Bank" Federal authorities today arrested 11 defendants named in a sweeping racketeering indictment alleging a series of money laundering schemes that revolved around the former head of Saigon National Bank, based in Westminster, California, announced Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice . Marocco helped circulate her rsum and vouched for her as she sought out a post at State, three sources familiar with the matter said. Meet The Trump Staffer Caught In A Web Of Resume Lies", "Senior Trump official embellished rsum, had face on fake Time cover", "State Department staffer resigns after allegations she inflated her resume", "Trump names Korean-American woman as USAID assistant administrator", "Singer-Turned-Activist Mina Chang Now Faces the Biggest Challenge of Her Life", "Senior Trump admin official Mina Chang resigns after NBC News report", "Mina Chang falsified resume with UH degree", "How did Mina Chang get a State Department job in the first place? "I'm someone who gives someone the benefit of the doubt but everyone around me was questioning it," Posnick said. According to papers from her divorce case in 2011, she was due to receive nearly $1,400 a month in child support and $500 in alimony per month for a year from her ex-husband, a real estate developer. Her Instagram account, with 42,000 followers, includes selfies with celebrities and Washington luminaries like former President Bill Clinton, retired Gen. David Petraeus, former Defense Secretary Bob Gates, Karl Rove, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and Buzz Aldrin. Chang, who resigned after NBC News revealed holes in her rsum, had ties to two State Department officials and a staffer for Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas. [21][22] In response to the interviewer's question: "Here you are on Time magazine, congratulations! Our 2015, 990-tax filing indicated $10,000 of overseas spending. Thats absolutely correct, in a year when we were pivoting our organization from extensive programming to becoming a thought-leader that tested cutting-edge technologies. Both groups bestow membership through fees, according to Scott Gerber, the CEO of the Community Company, who manages both organizations. IE 11 is not supported. Her biography on the State Department website says she is a "graduate" of a program at the Army War College. She is based in Washington. "Brian was one of approximately 400 to 500 individuals regularly invited to our fundraising events. For those of you who are not familiar with me, I am not Mina. Laura Strickler is a senior investigative producer and reporter for NBC News. She stands 5 feet 8 Inch tall and weighs around 64KG. In August, Trump withdrew a nominee for director of national intelligence, Rep. John Ratcliffe, R-Texas, less than a week after lawmakers raised questions about his qualifications and the accuracy of his rsum. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. She lived in an affluent neighborhood in Dallas in a high-end apartment building, former colleagues and acquaintances said. That does not make sense to me," said Jane Searing, an expert on nonprofit tax forms and an accountant at the accounting firm Clark Nuber in Washington state. That bio is still posted on the State Departments website at the time of this publication. Facebook banner picture for defense contractor Automotive Management Services(AMS) featuring Mina Chang. As an example of the support Akin Gump provides to Linking the World, the firm petitioned the FAA for our Section 333 Exemption, which qualifies us to fly UAVs in domestic airspace in support of disaster operations. She stepped down from the nonprofit role when she joined the State Department. [15][16], On November 12, 2019, NBC News reported that Chang had "embellished her rsum with misleading claims about her professional background" prior to joining the United States Department of State. Some required paying a steep fee. Chang, however, had links to businesses outside of her NGO, according to her charity's website and Texas public records. Marocco declined to comment through a Pentagon spokesperson. "Well, we started using drone technology in disaster response and so that was when the whole talk of how is technology being used to save lives in disaster response scenarios, I suppose I brought some attention to that," Chang said. His Ph.D. dissertation entitled "A Society's Crucible: Recasting the Criminal Defendant in Modern Egypt, 1820-1920" explores the . We take real scenarios based on concrete data to address the root drivers of instability and to effectuate action. Mina Chang at Ground Zero event on Sept. 11, 2017. "[7] However, she did attend a university in Hawaii called the University of the Nations, an unaccredited Christian educational institution that specializes in International Development or cross-cultural missions. That year the organization reported to the IRS that it had only one employee. President Trump was found to have fake copies of himself on the cover of Time hanging in at least five of his golf clubs. Faculty Type. Admission: 2017, New York. Several policies we are currently focused on promoting are the following: - Winning the hearts and minds of those around the world most at risk to becoming victims of violent extremism. "We have operated schools, we have built schools in places like Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti, Kenya.". To secure her job at the State Department in April, Chang leveraged social connections to senior officials who could help open the doors to the administration, including Brian Bulatao, a close friend and deputy to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo; a State Department official and former defense contractor who she succeeded as deputy assistant secretary, Pete Marocco; and a congressional staffer for key GOP lawmaker Rep. Michael McCaul of Texas, multiple sources said. Chang was previously married. [2][11][12], On April 29, 2019, Chang was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary in the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations,[13] and stepped down from her president and CEO positions at Linking the World. Our research efforts blend together traditional approaches of a think tank with modern and future-leaning tools of a high-tech business intelligence firm. (Video: The Washington Post) Article It is one of the more minor and yet more telling scandals of a scandal-plagued administration: NBC News reports that Mina Chang, the deputy assistant. "Linking the World provides hunger relief, medical aid," she said. We believe funding to counter violent extremism must specifically target the root drivers of instability; - Advocating for wide-scale collaboration between diplomatic, political, and military arms of the US government in order to ensure partner governments uphold their commitments and continue to build trust by investing in marginalized and vulnerable communities; - Assisting the US government and lawmakers in updating mandates and priories that are currently in existence in regards to multilateral institutions and platforms that help to counter violent extremism. She has boasted about her work in multiple talks and speeches, which are shared on the website. Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey, ranking Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the Trump administration has consistently failed to thoroughly screen candidates for senior posts. I have personally attended that program and can confirm that graduation is how we were advised to describe completion of the program. Akin Gump is consistently ranked as one of the top government relations practices in Washington, D.C.both by publications and peersthe public law and policy practice draws on the considerable governmental and bipartisan political experience of their lawyers and advocacy professionals, including former Members of Congress, congressional staff and other lawyers with considerable experience in government service, many of whom also engage in outside political activities. Harvard Law School Reunions Pound Hall 1563 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138 617-384-9523 reunions@law.harvard.edu Register Today On this page On this page Up to date as of October 24, 2022 The names in this list are published by consent and, therefore, may not include all attendees Modal Gallery [emailprotected]. The Time cover is not the most serious fabrication of Changs accomplishments. Susan Posnick and other people who came into contact with Chang over the years said they had lingering suspicions about how she promoted and presented herself, and wondered when things would catch up with her. The eldest of three daughters born to Salvation Army officers, Chang has Asian roots. As some of you will have seen, on November 13, NBC News published an article that questioned our former CEOs character, background and education, alongside the work of Linking the World. By 2014, she had set up Linking the World under the umbrella of a local foundation in Dallas, according to the foundation. That issue related to receipt of our 2016 and 2017 returns. So, to remove any and all suggestion of inappropriate action, the donation mechanisms have all been completely removed. The report accused Chang of lying about graduating from Harvard, lying about a position she held at the. The report highlights a 2017 video posted to Linking the Worlds website, which shows Chang being interviewed about the nonprofits work. Ian Dailey, former chief of staff of Linking the World, defended how the organization has presented itself publicly. Mou Abdou, Founder and Host of 33voices, Cover for the Observer 'People of the Year' Issue, In the third People Issue for the Observer Magazine, Linking the World CEO Mina Chang was named as one of the 'People of the Year.' However, thats not mentioned in her LinkedIn profile. We are proud and privileged for Akin's support on a pro-bono basis. Naval Academy and served in the Marine Corps. Mina Chang circa 2009 when she was pursuing a career as a recording artist. The spokesman also said that the State Department vetted her background, approved her security clearance along with the FBI, and signed off on her bio for the department's website. She earns a six-figure salary in a bureau with a $6 million budget. She took the material down when requested. A potential political appointee to a State Department post is vetted by the department, including an elaborate questionnaire, before the White House ever screens the candidate. Accordingly, Ms. Chang absolutely addressed convention attendees. . Changs nomination to the USAID job, which would have required Senate confirmation, was withdrawn on Sept. 9 without public explanation, after the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations asked her for more documents and details about her nonprofit organization and her work experience. Briefings on the Hill are not verifiable. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. In April 2019, she assumed office as the Deputy Assistant Secretary in the State Departments Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations. Featured in the issue are notable community leaders such as Police Chief David Brown, NHL athlete Jamie Benn, and Historian Bonnie Jacobs. NBC reported last week that Chang had misleadingly claimed in her official bio that she was an "alumna" of Harvard Business School when in fact she only attended a seven-week course there. Her bio from 2013 read: "Her desire to alleviate suffering and inspire hope and joy around the world motivated her to retire from the music industry in order to work full time with disaster response teams and Linking the World.". Program Priorities; Pro Bono; Legal Aid Grants; Donate to Legal Aid; Search Website. Chang has denied having any role in creating the magazine cover and her spokesperson said an "enthusiastic fan" created the picture and circulated it online. At first glance, Changs body of work appears impressive. [2][17][18] The NBC News report also states that she claimed to have spoken at both Democratic and Republican national conventions, and that her resume implies she had testified before Congress. Graduating from the U.S. Army War College, National Security Seminar. She would have been responsible for a budget of more than $1 billion. Moreover, she has also been accused of inflating her work with the organization. Mina Chang, a Trump . The committee staff "has been forced to dedicate a significant amount of time and resources on vetting this administration's nominees because of the White House's negligence or incompetence," Menendez said. She claimed to be an alumna of Harvard Business School, which the school verified as correct, through the completion of a non-degree certificate course. She says she "addressed" both the Democratic and Republican national conventions in 2016, but videos and documents show she instead spoke at separate events held in Philadelphia and Cleveland during the same time periods. There, Chang only listed the University of the Nations, an unaccredited Christian school born out of their Youth With a Mission movement that, according to its website, was founded to train students in ministering the love of Christ and teaching others according to the command of Christ to make disciples of all nations.. Mina Chang, the deputy assistant secretary in the State Department's Bureau of Conflict and Stability Operations, falsely claims to be a Harvard grad, and exaggerated the scope of her. Mina Chang Wiki Full Name: Mina Chang Nick Name: Mina DOB: 1984 Born: Washington, D.C. She has often cited her organization's work with drones in humanitarian relief efforts but four experts in that field said they had not heard of her organization. It claimed that she was an "alumna of the Harvard Business School" and held undergraduate degrees from Southern Methodist University and the University of the Nations, an unaccredited Christian school with volunteer teachers.