Linking the World was the first international NGO to receive such an exemption. After crafting a public image as a humanitarian "thought leader" with help from paid media and public relations consultants, she ingratiated herself with prominent Republicans in Dallas and former military officers, former colleagues said. So happy to be with Mina Trinity Chang and Trinity. I said, 'Pull the interns.'". 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. I have personally attended that program and can confirm that graduation is how we were advised to describe completion of the program. Writer Kimberly Chuck called Chang a "renowned humanitarian". As CEO of the NGO, Linking the World, her work expands the globe to alleviate suffering, inspire hope and to break the cycle of poverty thats impacting almost half the worlds population - or over three billion people. Law School Regulation; Access to Justice. She served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the United States Department of State's Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations from April 2019 until her resignation on November 18, 2019, after NBC News reported that she had falsified her resume with multiple false or misleading claims about her education, charity work, and that she had appeared on a Time magazine cover. 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. But tax filings for her organization offer no concrete information about overseas projects and show a budget of less than $300,000 with a handful of staff. Brought some attention to it, indeed. [2][3], Chang, a Korean-American,[4] claims to be the child of two Salvation Army officers and allegedly spent her childhood in Atlanta. He is the founder of Nuru International, a social venture that primarily works in Kenya, Ethiopia, and the USA. One such thing she claimed is having been on a U.N. panel discussing the use of drones in humanitarian efforts. At least one trip that yielded pictures of Chang in war-torn Kurdish areas was coordinated by the U.S.-Kurdistan Business Council, according to AMS company documents. Heres a glimpse of her approach to solving the worlds most pressing issues. When Chang was mentioned as a possible candidate for ambassador to the Philippines in local media in Manila, newspapers wrote incorrectly that she was a "Harvard graduate." [5] In a May 2014 interview, Chang claimed to hold a degree in international development from the University of Hawaii, concentrating on mission work and aid practices. IE 11 is not supported. We save a lot of money that way.". Harvard University Affiliated Professors. So, shame on you Mr. De Luce. The explosive growth of government regulation and oversight over the last decade demands that Linking the World thinks expansively and creatively when developing and implementing our strategies. She was writing songs for other artists before she was signed to a label and recording albums in both English and Korean. The cover is "not authentic," said a spokesperson for the magazine. 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. A profile in June 2014 by the Dallas Observer reports Chang, who is described as once having "a flourishing career as an international pop singer," is the child of two Salvation Army officers. 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. 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, 35, was appointed the deputy assistant secretary in the State Department's Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations in April. [emailprotected]. It . In retrospect, she should have clarified the origins of the coverin that moment, instead, she answered the question she was posed, more broadly. 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. But if you are not very qualified then it's a great chance to get in there.". Posted by Rick Allen onFriday, June 22, 2018, Posted by Jake Harriman onSunday, January 21, 2018. Mina Chang (born October 29, 1984) is an American singer, activist, and former government official. As terrifying as that was, working with her nonprofit served as a distraction and it appears that she has overcome the disease. 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. Attorneys/ Law Firms Search; Newest Law Firms and Attorneys; Law School Alumni Search; . Program Priorities; Pro Bono; Legal Aid Grants; Donate to Legal Aid; Search Website. 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. Dan De Luceis a reporter for the NBC News Investigative Unit. Her charity's website featured pictures of Chang in war-torn places with unnamed children. We have at least one geotagged photograph of Linking the Worlds participation on that Panel, along with its working documents. The eldest of three daughters born to Salvation Army officers, Chang has Asian roots. 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. Faculty Type. There was one for the event production company she started at age 24, another site for her recording career. Mina Chang proved anyone can come to the U.S. and create an "American" identity by simply putting a bunch of shit on social media that's sent to a new generation of reporters and government officials who think shit on social media people create about themselves is real. However, no official record of this exists. She apparently is also a civilian graduate of the United States Army War College. 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? But wait, theres more: Chang was originally being considered for an even more senior government post in which she would have overseen the U.S. Agency for International Developments work in Asia. Her sisters names are Abigail and Sony Chang. But in Chang's numerous public speeches she did not mention the Korean organization, saying instead that she was CEO of an "international relief organization" based out of Dallas that works in 40 countries. Animals and Pets Anime Art Cars and Motor Vehicles Crafts and DIY Culture, Race, and Ethnicity Ethics and Philosophy Fashion Food and Drink History Hobbies Law Learning and Education Military Movies Music Place Podcasts and Streamers Politics Programming Reading, Writing, and Literature Religion and Spirituality Science Tabletop Games . "She spent almost two decades building herself out of thin air.". Michelle Muscatello Leaving WPRI: Where Is the Rhode Island Meteorologist Going? Chang has a daughter named Trinity from her previous marriage.[24]. Mina Chang and Rep. Mike McCaul, R-Texas, on June 6, 2018. Somewhere between 2012 and 2014, she purportedly became the president and CEO of the nonprofit, consolidating and relocating its offices to Dallas. ", "Chang eyed as next US envoy to Philippines", "Trump official inflated rsum, report reveals and created fake Time cover", "Senior Trump official Mina Chang 'faked Time magazine cover and inflated claims in CV', "Unfortunately, I Love the State Department Scammer", "How To Tell a Fake TIME Cover From a Real One", "Global Outlook Interview with Mary Sit, January 2017", "Mina Chang Wiki, Age, Husband & Facts About the State Department Official with the Fake Time Cover", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mina_Chang&oldid=1122959723, This page was last edited on 20 November 2022, at 22:14. "Here you are on Time magazine, congratulations! At no time has Mina claimed to have a degree from SMU. We must continue to work together, sharing information and acting as leading voices to elevate diplomacy and development alongside defense to build a stronger, better, and safer world for all. [5], In January 2017, Chang spoke at the Asia Society Texas Center's Women's Leadership Series as a featured guest. The only educational institute NBC was able to find was not mentioned in Changs government biography, but was mentioned on her LinkedIn account. [9] NBC News accused her of falsely claiming to be a former chief of staff of a nonprofit (INGO), to have had a role on a UN panel, and to have appeared on the front cover of Time magazine. Attorney at Law offices of Mina Chang Huntington Beach . Her prior experience includes roles in university admissions, event coordination, office management, staffing, and non-profit . Each body has verified each and every one of her stated achievements. The organization then chose to cease development of the effort.. By also researching the history of various regions and what has not worked, has not countered, and has not built resilience against violent extremism in the past, we can create solutions with the greatest probability of success. Chris Riva Leaving FOX19 NOW: Where Is the Cincinnati Anchor Going? One year Bulatao bid on an auction item that resulted in a $5,500 donation to the group, Dailey said. She often asked those who performed work for her to sign nondisclosure agreements, the former associates said. Her information from the State Department mentions she is an "alumna" of Harvard Business School. WASHINGTON Mina Chang figured out how to work the levers in Dallas and in the nation's capital, making connections with key figures and cultivating an online image, until her overblown. Simply, LtW was first founded in South Korea, so that time period would not be covered by U.S. IRS reporting. Harvard Business School spokesperson Mark Cautela said the school grants "alumni status" to anyone who attends certain executive education programs, even without having earned a degree there. Tell me about this cover and how it came to be?" Ari Sen is a freelance journalist and former investigative unit intern at NBC News currently studying at UC Berkeleys Graduate School of Journalism. Upon notification, donations were not able to be submitted through any of our channels. 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. Time magazine spokesperson Kristin Matzen said the cover is "not authentic.". She would have been responsible for a budget of more than $1 billion. But it was discovered that Chang doesnt have an actual degree from Harvard, though she claims to be an alumna. In a 2017 video posted on her nonprofit's website, Chang can be heard describing her work while a Time magazine cover with her face on it scrolls past. Chang was previously married. Chang's State Department biography page described her as an "alumna of the Harvard Business School," though NBC reported she only took a seven-week course there in 2016. Naval Academy and served in the Marine Corps. The U.S. embassy in the Philippines at the time dismissed the rumor as inaccurate. Mina Chang defended herself and criticized the "toxic environment" at the State Department. Chang resigned last week from a senior State Department post after an NBC News investigation revealed she made misleading claims about her charity work and qualifications including a fake Time magazine cover with her face on it. However, I am not so constrained, and when I communicated with the reporter, I raised this issue with him, and asked him to expand the questions being directed towards me. 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. Mina did not create or commission the Time Magazine cover. NBC has destroyed a good womans reputation, and an organization's good works. 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. 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. 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. "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. However, thats not mentioned in her LinkedIn profile. Also, though she claims to be a graduate of the Army War College, its representatives say she only attended a four-day seminar there. [9], Prior to 2010, Chang performed as a pop singer, touring internationally and recording albums in both English and Korean. Mina obtained her position at the State Department on her own merit, at no time was Brian Bulatao part of her nomination / recruitment / review process. Simply, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has been rather busy with other activities and all nominees were subject to extensive delays. 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. Her resume was a shining list of stellar credentials, even including a Harvard diploma. Several key claims in Changs official government biography were refuted. local news and culture, Stephen Young Dailey, Changs former colleague at the nonprofit, said the group did operate in 40 countries over two decades, including when the organization was registered in South Korea. "We are not implementers of programs. 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. Like Mina Chang , who made a fake cover of herself on time magazine. In public remarks in 2015 she said her group worked in 40 countries: "We have in-house K9 search and rescue teams, we have testified in front of hearing committees on Capitol Hill, we've done things like lectured at West Point, brief chiefs of staff at the Pentagon.". Today, Chang's colleague Ian Dailey says the Dallas charity was spawned from a Korean international relief organization that worked in 40 countries and started in 1998. She took the material down when requested. Mina Trinity Chang (born 1984) has deleted or switched to private her social profiles in the wake of the NBC News investigation. [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. 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. Mina Chang Global Business Strategy, Senior Manager at CJ corporation South Korea CJ corporation, +5 more Yonsei University, +2 more Mina Chang Assistant United States Attorney at United States. She was being considered for another government position overseeing a major budget when Congress began asking about her rsum. "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. A fake Time magazine cover with Mina Chang. . Briefings on the Hill are not verifiable. 4:00AM. MC . "[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. "With the way Trump has fired high-level people by tweet, it's not an encouraging thing to work for the government. [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. Chang, who assumed her post in April, also invented a role on a U.N. panel, claimed she had addressed both the Democratic and Republican national conventions, and implied she had testified before Congress. She stepped down from the nonprofit role when she joined the State Department. Mina Chang is a deputy assistant secretary in the State Department's Bureau of Conflict and Stability Operations (US Department of State) A senior State Department 's impressive resume appears. 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. The administration announced an intent to nominate her in late 2018. Chang does not cite any undergraduate degree in her biography, but her LinkedIn account mentions the University of the Nations, an unaccredited Christian school with volunteer teachers that says it has 600 locations "on all continents.". Her Instagram account shows international food donations featuring Linking the World logos. HLS Professors. But before her humanitarian and government career, she was a singer. She was appointed to the State Department post in the interim. 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. You wonder why the media isnt trusted? She has boasted about her work in multiple talks and speeches, which are shared on the website. He is a graduate of Georgetown University and New York Law School and previously worked in financial securities compliance and Civil Rights employment law. Laura Strickler is a senior investigative producer and reporter for NBC News. That bio is still posted on the State Departments website at the time of this publication. I was only made aware of a potential issue with our tax filings by the IRS on October 16, 2019 and that was only because of a proactive outreach that I made. Her website conveyed dynamic activity and on-the-ground aid operations, even though the reality often had Chang traveling to a location on trips paid for by defense contractors, former colleagues said. Mina loves her position at State and decided to withdraw herself from the process to focus on stabilization operations. Prior to joining PLS, he was a Samuel I. Golieb Fellow in Legal History at NYU School of Law from 2019-2020. That issue related to receipt of our 2016 and 2017 returns. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. His bio states that he left the Marines and enrolled at Stanford. However, her LinkedIn profile provides details of her inflated career history. The Panel in question was the Expert Panel for Humanitarian UAVs convened on November 14, 2014 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. #FakeNews pic.twitter.com/LpEbwxH0xA, Rob Richardson (@RobforOHIO) November 12, 2019, She presents an image of a globetrotting humanitarian with extensive experience in international security and foreign aid. https://www.exed.hbs.edu/advanced-management-program/. 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. Despite losing its charitable status, the organization continued to solicit donations on its website. To be clear, we have operated in 43 countries, built schools, medical clinics, and countless other activities serving thousands upon thousands of those most in need. [11] The nomination was withdrawn on September 9, 2019. His Ph.D. dissertation entitled "A Society's Crucible: Recasting the Criminal Defendant in Modern Egypt, 1820-1920" explores the . Dan De Luceis a reporter for the NBC News Investigative Unit. ", In the Trump administration, rapid turnover and uneven vetting instead creates opportunities for people who might not otherwise be considered, said Pfiffner. Mina E. Khalil is a legal and social historian of the modern Middle East. Mina Chang Wiki Full Name: Mina Chang Nick Name: Mina DOB: 1984 Born: Washington, D.C. Legal Guides; Lawyer Referral Service; Problem with a Lawyer; Attorney Profile. Admission: 2017, New York. When the 2010 Haiti earthquake struck, she decided against renewing her contract with her label and joined Linking the World as president and CEO. Before receiving the letter of recommendation, Chang was spotted at numerous events, including the 2018 Aspen Security Forum, with McCaul's staffer. While I share her beliefs and passions, Im far more willing to confront those with naive and ill-informed positions. We have never inferred this was a real magazine cover, nor that we were the creator of it. Both groups bestow membership through fees, according to Scott Gerber, the CEO of the Community Company, who manages both organizations. 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. By: Caroline John - Published: November 13, 2019 at 5:43 am | Last Updated: its this, right here. Again, anyone who reviewed her recent past, with work in Iraq, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Somalia, would know that this decision makes absolute sense. Mina Chang circa 2009 when she was pursuing a career as a recording artist. Posted by Sony Chang onSunday, June 16, 2019. Mina Chang, US State Department deputy assistant secretary for the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations, has extensive experience in conflict areas such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia. Lax vetting, Mina has undergone 4 independent agency reviews, including the FBI, and ultimately garnered both Top Secret and Sensitive Compartmented Information clearances. In a Feb. 8, 2018 letter to the White House, McCaul gave Chang "the strongest recommendation" to serve in a senior leadership position at the State Department, either in the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations or in the Bureau of Counterterrorism. Featured in the issue are notable community leaders such as Police Chief David Brown, NHL athlete Jamie Benn, and Historian Bonnie Jacobs. It reflects, and has always reflected, that Linking the World operates an in-country volunteer and donation model, that requires minimal U.S. staff and no local offices or employees. The nature of our work requires that our analytical and planning processes must encompass a careful evaluation of how governmentlocal, state, federal or internationalcan, should and will impact our desired objectives. At a 2018 awards dinner of defense contractors in Washington, Chang made a point of introducing herself to an official who she eventually would succeed at the State Department as a deputy assistant secretary, said a source who attended the event said. Her Instagram account, which has 44,000 followers, was filled with pictures of her with big names in national security and politics like former CIA director and Defense Secretary Robert Gates, retired Gen. David Petraeus and former President George W. Bush's adviser Karl Rove. We do not just provide rhetoric and philosophical thought; in fact, we go light on the philosophy. In a 2015 speech, Chang said, "we have in-house canine search and rescue teams." Chang received no compensation from the nonprofit, according to the group's tax filings. Editor Joe Tone introduces the issue writing, "Their stories, as usual, are paired with intimate portraits, this year from acclaimed photographer Can Turkyilmaz. An old profile on her states that she split time between her pop star life and humanitarian work. In this politicized climate, if this is what we have become, then we have much work to do. To provide some context, State Department officials are not allowed to respond to reporters, regardless of the content of the stories being published. In April 2019, she assumed office as the Deputy Assistant Secretary in the State Departments Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations. 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. "She must accept the full consequences of her actions.". NBC News was unable to find any record of her or her organization ever testifying before Congress. Lecturers. Mina Chang resigned Monday, six days after an NBC News report about her resume inflation and hours after NBC asked her about newly discovered false claims.