Matt Shear is the research manager at Valens Global, where he both leads and supports the analysis team on a variety of projects related to violent non-state actors, great power competition, and other security threats. Mr. Shear helped lead Valens’ efforts to develop an Implementation Plan and Public Action Plan for DHS’s Strategic Framework for Countering Terrorism and Targeted Violence, and has continued to provide analytic support to DHS Headquarters and Operational Components. Prior to his current work at Valens Global, Mr. Shear previously worked for the U.S. Department of Defense, the Anti-Defamation League, and the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START). Mr. Shear holds an M.A. in Statecraft and National Security Affairs from the Institute of World Politics and a B.A. in Peace, War & Defense and Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.