Mina Chang, 35, the deputy assistant . Turner High School, Rep. Nate Schatzline, Under Fire for 'Drag' Video, Accused of 'Doxxing' Keller ISD Mom, A Carrollton High School Claims Employee Gave Student Prescription Drugs, Texas Bill Would Make Illegal Voting a Felony, City Council To Discuss Allowing Neighborhoods To 'Opt-In' for Short-Term Rentals in Dallas. Minas resume, profiles, and statements have been reviewed by 4 separate bodies, including the FBI and State Department Investigators. Dan De Luceis a reporter for the NBC News Investigative Unit. Our belief is that these factors cause nations to weaken all the way down to the community level, which subsequently increases their likelihood of conflict and security challenges. Ari Sen is a freelance journalist and former investigative unit intern at NBC News currently studying at UC Berkeleys Graduate School of Journalism. Mina Chang Wiki, Age, Husband & Facts About the State Department The Trump administration has faced criticism for its lax vetting, inadequate screening, and lack of thorough security clearance investigation of top officials. The organization then chose to cease development of the effort.. "It was like trying to weave a narrative out of whole cloth," said someone familiar with Chang's nonprofit. She took the material down when requested. After obtaining our data and analyzing it, we go a step further than a traditional think tank by actively engaging and working with partners on the ground to effectuate long lasting change. "To not file with the IRS for three years is really being a scofflaw," Eve Borenstein, a lawyer with Harmon Curran law firm and a prominent expert on nonprofit tax law, told NBC News. McCaul, through a spokesperson, said he now has a different perspective on Chang's qualifications. Chang was originally being considered for an even more senior government post in which she would have overseen the U.S. Agency for International Development's work in Asia. Our research efforts blend together traditional approaches of a think tank with modern and future-leaning tools of a high-tech business intelligence firm. If you choose to retract allegations that are patently false, e.g. During a live interviewwith Mary Sit, on a public access/University channel, the piece was used without prior permission or approval from Mina or Linking the World. Spring 2023 Course. 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. The cover is "not authentic," said a spokesperson for the magazine. Naval Academy and served in the Marine Corps. The organization's tax-exempt status was revoked by the IRS earlier this year. According to a wild report from NBC News,State Department deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of Conflict and Stability Operations Mina Chang, 35, lied about graduating from Harvard and severely embellished her work experience as the CEO of a nonprofit organization called Linking the World. 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. Whatever her qualifications, Chang had a key connection in the Trump administration. Our goal with research is simple: if we can identify those who are most at risk, we can share this expert knowledge and employ development and advocacy efforts to help win the hearts and minds of these communities before radical groups are formed. An auction bid from 2015, is a despicable example of correlation with no foundation. Farayi Chipungu, Scott Westfahl. Her charity's website featured pictures of Chang in war-torn places with unnamed children. Mina Chang circa 2009 when she was pursuing a career as a recording artist. The gap between Chang's actual qualifications and her claims appears to be the latest example of lax vetting by the Trump administration, which has become known for its many job vacancies and appointments made without thorough screening. Linking the World Ambassador to the Philippines? But the program she attended was a four-day seminar on national security, according to the college. However, no official record of this exists. Chang says in her official biography that she is as an "alumna" of Harvard Business School. 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.". But her focus soon shifted to presenting herself as a passionate humanitarian. The questions were not seeking to profile Mina or the organization, as any objective reporter would have done. University Attended: Harvard Law School. In past administrations, White House staff carefully checked a potential appointee's education and work bona fides, as well as any court cases or criminal records that could be damaging, said Pfiffner of George Mason. Accordingly, Ms. Chang absolutely addressed convention attendees. Mina E. Khalil is a legal and social historian of the modern Middle East. "It does seem that this administration has not been doing the same depth of vetting as previous administrations," said James Pfiffner, a George Mason University professor and expert on the executive branch who once worked in the government's Office of Personnel Management, which does vetting. Most recently, Mina served as the Executive Director of the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board, the largest police oversight agency in the nation which investigates allegations of police misconduct. MC . Linking the World tax filings. U.S. State Department official and former Dallas media darling Mina Chang had a bad day Monday. At one of those events he bid on an auction item, which accounts for the donation in its totality," Dailey told NBC News. The event will featured leaders from government, military, journalism, academia, and the private sector exploring questions of international security and defense, bringing together interdisciplinary experts working to develop new paradigms for understanding and addressing the changing nature of armed conflict and systematic violence.====================================New America is dedicated to the renewal of American politics, prosperity, and purpose in the digital age through big ideas, technological innovation, next generation politics, and creative engagement with broad audiences. Like all admired leaders, she anticipates that problems in the world will never cease, they will only change; and its how you respond to them that will determine your fate. Update your Profile ; Education & Credentials. So apparently if you want a job with the Trump administration you make Fake News literally. The State Department and its Diplomatic Security Service, which helps vet appointees, did not respond to requests for comment. That same year she told another group, "We've responded to major disasters, the typhoon in the Philippines, earthquake in Nepal, Ebola in West Africa, we did all these things", But according to the IRS, Chang's charity only submitted one tax filing and that was in 2015. Career officials at the State Department and across the federal government take vetting seriously "because they care about maintaining a high standard for the civil service and the foreign service," Thomas-Greenfield said. In its 2015 tax filing, Linking the World reported that it had no staff overseas and no expenditures abroad of more than $10,000, which one expert said was puzzling given the group's descriptions of its international work. Chang and her spokesman declined to comment on the role played by the McCaul staffer. Im proud that we have achieved so much, with so little except the love and time of our volunteers and supporters around the world. Get the latest updates in news, food, music and culture, and receive special offers direct to your inbox. SHARON BURKE Senior Advisor and Director, Resource Security Program, New AmericaMINA CHANG CEO, Linking the World, International Security Fellow, New AmericaJAKE HARRIMAN Founder and CEO, Nuru InternationalREBECCA J. WOLFE Director of Peace and Conflict, Mercy CorpsThe Future of War Conference 2017 commenced on March 21 in Washington, D.C. [6] The university, however, publicly stated days later that it does not have a Mina Chang of her age in their records and does not offer a "degree in international development. She and her ex-husband have a daughter, Trinity (born 2008), named after Minas middle name. "[7][3], Mina Chang is married to Jake Harriman. Our 2015, 990-tax filing indicated $10,000 of overseas spending. Since Chang's resignation, former colleagues, social acquaintances and government officials have reached out to NBC News, providing more information that helps explain how Chang made it as far as she did. She is based in Washington. Ari Sen is a freelance journalist and former investigative unit intern at NBC News currently studying at UC Berkeleys Graduate School of Journalism. Laura Strickler is a senior investigative producer and reporter for NBC News. After hearing concerns from a cadet working as an intern at the nonprofit, the faculty member, who did not want to be identified, looked up the organization's website and concluded the charity was not worthy of a West Point association. Brad Johansen Leaving NBC4 Columbus: Where Is the Anchor Going? Mina has never claimed to have a degree from Harvard. Our unique research efforts provide the accurate and tested knowledge necessary to then engage local, state, federal, and international stakeholders to promote our mission and to advocate for policies that will not only make our country safer, but will help lift up vulnerable communities abroad. I can also confirm that no donations were received / accepted over the notification period. For example, Changs biography states that Mina is an alumna of the Harvard Business School, and a a graduate of the United States Army War College National Security Seminar. However, Chang actually only attended a seven-week course at Harvard in 2016 that does not offer a degree. The administration announced an intent to nominate her in late 2018. "We have operated schools, we have built schools in places like Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti, Kenya.". A former West Point faculty member and a source familiar with the matter said the program was quickly scrapped, after it became apparent the nonprofit was not doing much work and the interns were sitting in a mostly empty office. Mina Chang. https://www.linkingtheworld.org/hill-briefings, Episode On 33voices, Inc. with Moe Abdou, Like all admired leaders, she anticipates that problems in the world will never cease, they will only change; and its how you respond to them that will determine your fate. When the 2010 Haiti earthquake struck, she decided against renewing her contract with her label and joined Linking the World as president and CEO. She earns a six-figure salary in a bureau with a $6 million budget. Chang's appointment is the latest administration hire to come under scrutiny since President Donald Trump entered office. Apart from her Capitol Hill connection, Chang received support from Marocco at the State Department. Why only to 2015? Course Catalog | Harvard Law School An international K-pop singer! We save a lot of money that way.". The organization recently removed Chang's bio from its website noting, "The content of this page has been deleted due to questions raised about its accuracy.". Mina Chang Falsified Resume, Created Fake Time Magazine Cover | Law & Crime In May 2013, Chang was diagnosed with brain cancer and underwent chemotherapy for a year. Spend a few minutes with her, and you, too will be infected with her zest for life and her determination to not only win her own battles, but more importantly, to turn hope into measurable action. A review of her nonprofit's IRS returns from 2014 and 2015 shows no information about operating or building schools, and offers no details about staff devoted to managing aid projects on the ground in those countries. Mina Malik is a Lecturer on Law and Senior Advisor to Harvard's Fair Punishment Project. "It's just insane she got as far as she did.