The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) has introduced eight new members to the Youth Engagement Subcommittee. 

HSAC is a DHS federal advisory committee that provides the secretary with independent, informed recommendations, and advice on a variety of homeland security issues. The HSAC is comprised of national policy makers, representatives from state, local, and tribal governments, emergency, and first responder communities, academia, and the private sector. Recently, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad F. Wolf introduced seven new members to the group of top industry leaders, James Carafano, James Fuller, Hans C. Miller, Chris Nocco, Cynthia Renaud, Mark Weatherford, and Brian White. In one of the largest HSAC member attended meetings in recent years, the group discussed a range of homeland security issues and received progress reports from the Economic Security, Information and Communications Technology Risk Reduction, Youth Engagement, and Biometric subcommittees.

The members of the Youth Engagement Task Force are:

  • Carie A. Lemack, (Co-Chair) Cofounder and CEO of Dream Up
  • Paul Goldenberg, (Co-Chair) President and CEO, Cardinal Point Strategies LLC
  • Mark Dannels, (Vice Chair) Sheriff, Cochise County, Arizona
  • Christopher Hill, President of the Howell Township Police Athletic League, and former President of the National Police Athletic/Activities League
  • Jeffrey Miller, Vice President of Security, Kansas City Chiefs Football Club
  • Chris Nocco, Sheriff, Pasco County, Florida
  • Cynthia Renaud, Chief of Police, City of Santa Monica, California, and 1st Vice President, International Association of Chiefs of Police
  • Ali H. Soufan, Chairman and CEO, The Soufan Group LLC

Of his appointment, Paul Goldenberg says, "Honored to have been appointed as Co-Chair of the newly established United States Department of Homeland Security Youth Engagement Task Force: The Youth Engagement Subcommittee was created by DHS Secretary Chad Wolf to provide findings and recommendations on best practices for the purpose of building youth-based programming that can be implemented nationwide to prevent radicalization and targeted violence."

Goldenberg notes that the findings will be presented to Secretary and members of US Congress, which will align with the Departments civil rights, individual protections and civil liberties initiatives. "Long before the COVID-19 era, media headlines warned parents and educators of the growing dangers of online exposure to extremist propaganda, groomers, and persuasive recruiters. We will be seeking tangible solutions and best practices as this complex challenge requires innovative, lasting and whole of community solutions, underpinned by a strong commitment to cooperation and coordination between all relevant stakeholders at a national and international level," Goldenberg says.