Matthew Doherty: Executive Leader, Strategic Advisor, Workplace Violence Prevention Expert, Threat Assessment & Management Specialist, and National Speaker

“Reducing Risk Through Prevention”

Matthew Doherty is a nationally recognized security and risk management executive, accomplished strategic advisor, and distinguished leader with more than four decades of experience protecting people, strengthening organizations, and advancing innovative approaches to violence prevention. Throughout his career, Matthew has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to safeguarding individuals, institutions, and critical operations through proactive risk mitigation, strategic leadership, and evidence-based threat management. His extensive background spans federal law enforcement, national security, corporate consulting, organizational risk management, and executive advisory services. Recognized for his sound judgment, discretion, and ability to navigate complex security challenges, he brings a unique combination of operational expertise and strategic perspective to organizations seeking to enhance resilience, strengthen governance, and protect their most valuable assets.

As the Founder and Managing Principal of Doherty Advisory, Matthew leads a specialized consulting practice dedicated to helping corporations, government agencies, and educational institutions develop comprehensive workplace violence prevention and threat management programs. His approach centers on the belief that effective prevention requires more than reactive policies; it demands executive commitment, organizational awareness, multidisciplinary collaboration, and sustainable risk management systems. Through consulting, training, and speaking engagements, he helps organizations identify vulnerabilities, establish effective reporting mechanisms, strengthen internal response capabilities, and implement practical strategies that reduce exposure to potentially harmful situations. His guiding philosophy, “Reducing Risk Through Prevention,” reflects a career devoted to anticipating challenges before they escalate and empowering organizations to create safer environments.

Before establishing Doherty Advisory, Matthew served as Managing Director of Workforce Risk Management at Sikich, where he led initiatives designed to address the evolving challenges of workplace violence, behavioral threats, and organizational security. In this leadership capacity, he guided multidisciplinary professionals in delivering specialized advisory services that integrated workforce protection, enterprise risk considerations, and organizational resilience. His work helped organizations evaluate emerging threats, improve prevention frameworks, and align security strategies with broader business priorities. By combining decades of practical experience with a comprehensive understanding of organizational operations, Matthew strengthened the ability of corporate leaders to make informed decisions while fostering safer and more productive workplace environments.

Previously, Matthew spent more than thirteen years with Hillard Heintze, a Jensen Hughes Company, serving as Senior Vice President of Threat and Violence Risk Management. During his tenure, he established and developed the firm’s threat and violence risk management practice, building a respected advisory capability serving both public and private sector organizations. He worked closely with executive leadership teams, human resources professionals, legal departments, and security personnel to design prevention programs, manage sensitive threat investigations, and strengthen organizational readiness. His responsibilities included overseeing complex cases involving workplace disputes, domestic violence concerns, employee terminations, insider threats, and other behavioral risk factors. He also directed initiatives supporting the Department of Defense, including efforts to incorporate behavioral sciences into operational risk assessment models and provide support related to cyber forensics and insider threat management. He is a guest instructor at the Federal Enforcement Training Center.

Matthew’s distinguished government career includes service as Senior Law Enforcement Advisor to the Homeland Security Studies and Analysis Institute, where he contributed to critical research and operational initiatives supporting the Department of Homeland Security. Selected as the institute’s first law enforcement advisor, he helped develop and supervise projects addressing national security priorities across multiple federal agencies. His work supported organizations including the United States Secret Service, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, and the Federal Air Marshals. He also contributed to initiatives supporting the Department of Education’s research into preventing targeted attacks against educational institutions. This experience reinforced his ability to bridge operational security, government policy, research, and strategic decision-making while collaborating with senior officials and multidisciplinary stakeholders.

A defining chapter of Matthew’s professional journey was his distinguished 21-year career with the United States Secret Service, culminating in his appointment as Special Agent in Charge of the National Threat Assessment Center. In this influential role, he helped advance the study, assessment, and prevention of targeted violence against protected officials and other individuals. Among his notable achievements was the creation of an early information-sharing database designed to strengthen the identification and management of threats against government protectees. His leadership contributed to pioneering research partnerships involving Carnegie Mellon University, Harvard University, and the Department of Education, advancing understanding of insider threats, concerning behaviors, and intervention opportunities. As a White House Liaison, he also coordinated sensitive threat investigations and briefed protective divisions responsible for safeguarding the nation’s highest-ranking officials.

Throughout his federal service, Matthew regularly provided expert briefings to senior government leaders, congressional representatives, and federal agencies regarding threat assessment methodologies and targeted violence prevention. His responsibilities required exceptional analytical judgment, confidentiality, crisis management capabilities, and the ability to communicate complex security matters with clarity and precision. These experiences established a foundation for his subsequent success in the private sector, where he translated sophisticated government threat assessment practices into practical frameworks that corporations and institutions could implement. His career progression reflects a consistent ability to transform specialized operational knowledge into scalable organizational strategies with meaningful implications for leadership, risk oversight, and long-term institutional stability.

Matthew’s expertise extends across enterprise risk management, workplace violence prevention, behavioral threat assessment, insider risk, organizational security, crisis preparedness, and strategic program development. He is particularly skilled at helping organizations move from fragmented safety initiatives toward integrated, leadership-supported prevention systems. His approach emphasizes executive sponsorship, comprehensive risk assessments, accessible reporting channels, multidisciplinary threat management teams, qualified external expertise, and continuous workforce education. He recognizes that organizational safety is inseparable from corporate culture, employee trust, operational continuity, and responsible leadership. By aligning prevention initiatives with business objectives, Matthew helps decision-makers understand how effective risk management can strengthen both workforce confidence and organizational performance.

An accomplished educator and nationally respected speaker, Matthew has trained thousands of professionals in identifying, assessing, and managing potential threats before they escalate. His audiences have included corporate executives, human resources leaders, security professionals, government personnel, frontline employees, and multidisciplinary threat management teams. Known for translating complex security concepts into actionable insights, he combines real-world experience with evidence-based methodologies to deliver engaging and practical learning experiences. His speaking engagements and training programs emphasize situational awareness, behavioral indicators, reporting responsibilities, coordinated interventions, and the importance of establishing organizational cultures where prevention is a shared responsibility. His experience as an expert witness further demonstrates his ability to articulate sophisticated risk management principles in demanding professional and legal settings.

Matthew’s influence within the security and risk management profession is reinforced by his extensive affiliations, advisory contributions, and industry recognition. He has maintained involvement with organizations including ASIS International, the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals, and the Society for Human Resource Management. His professional contributions have also included service as a Senior Fellow with the George Washington University Center for Cyber and Homeland Security, participation on a U.S. Marshals Service judicial security executive advisory committee, and instructional work associated with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. These engagements reflect his commitment to professional collaboration, knowledge sharing, and advancing the standards by which organizations assess and manage security-related risks.

His professional achievements have earned recognition from prominent government and industry organizations. Among his distinctions are the Global Outstanding Security Performance Award for threat management team training, exceptional service recognition from the Treasury and Homeland Security Departments, and awards associated with the U.S. Marshals Service and U.S. Capitol Police for contributions to threat assessment program development. He has also received recognition for developing collaborative counterintelligence and terrorism-related training initiatives. These honors reflect not only his technical capabilities but also his ability to build partnerships, develop effective programs, and contribute to improvements in security practices across institutional boundaries.

As a recognized thought leader, Matthew has contributed to professional publications and served as an expert source for major national media organizations. His insights have appeared in or been sought by outlets including The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, NBC, WGN, MarketWatch, Variety, and The Hollywood Reporter. His published work includes an article in OSHA Magazine addressing shared responsibility for workplace violence prevention and a co-authored chapter examining legal considerations in threat management. Through these contributions, he has helped elevate public and professional awareness of the importance of early intervention, informed leadership, and structured prevention programs. His international exposure across Europe, Asia, and South America further broadens his understanding of the diverse environments in which organizations operate and manage security challenges.

Matthew holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Wheeling Jesuit University and has completed graduate coursework in executive leadership at Johns Hopkins. His professional development also includes training in incident command systems and extensive specialized education acquired throughout his federal law enforcement and consulting career. This combination of formal education, executive leadership development, and practical operational experience has enabled him to remain adaptable as organizational security challenges have evolved. He approaches professional development as an ongoing responsibility, recognizing that effective leaders must continuously evaluate emerging risks, changing workplace dynamics, and new approaches to organizational protection. These approaches require adherence to standards and guidelines from Occupational Safety and Health, Society of Human Resource management d many other national and state organizations.

Beyond his executive and consulting responsibilities, Matthew brings valuable experience participating in professional boards, committees, and advisory initiatives. His exposure to complex government operations, corporate leadership environments, and multidisciplinary decision-making positions him to contribute meaningfully to board-level conversations surrounding enterprise risk, organizational resilience, workforce protection, and reputational considerations. He understands the importance of balancing strategic objectives with responsible oversight and recognizes that effective governance requires leaders who can anticipate vulnerabilities, challenge assumptions, and support well-informed decisions. His ability to evaluate sensitive issues objectively and collaborate with stakeholders across different disciplines makes him a compelling candidate for organizations seeking experienced perspectives on risk and long-term sustainability.

Matthew’s interest in expanding his board and advisory involvement is driven by a genuine desire to help organizations strengthen their leadership capabilities and protect the people who contribute to their success. With experience spanning government agencies, Fortune 500 companies, educational institutions, and professional services organizations, he offers a versatile perspective applicable across multiple industries. Rather than limiting his contributions to a particular sector or organizational size, he seeks opportunities where his expertise can support thoughtful governance, responsible growth, and stronger organizational preparedness. His professional philosophy emphasizes that effective prevention is not simply a security function but a fundamental component of responsible business leadership.

On a personal level, Matthew values family, meaningful relationships, travel, and boating, interests that complement his professional commitment to protecting people and building lasting connections. His experiences across different countries and professional environments have reinforced his appreciation for diverse perspectives, collaboration, and the importance of trust. Colleagues and clients recognize him for his steady leadership, discretion, thoughtful communication, and dedication to achieving practical outcomes. These qualities have remained consistent throughout a career characterized by high-stakes responsibilities, sensitive investigations, and trusted advisory relationships.

Today, Matthew W. Doherty continues to build upon an exceptional legacy of public service, executive leadership, and organizational protection. Whether advising senior executives, developing comprehensive prevention strategies, educating professionals, or contributing to board-level discussions, he brings a disciplined and forward-looking approach grounded in decades of experience. His greatest professional strength lies in his ability to recognize emerging risks, unite stakeholders around practical solutions, and transform complex security challenges into opportunities for stronger organizational resilience. Guided by his enduring commitment to “Reducing Risk Through Prevention,” Matthew remains dedicated to helping businesses and institutions make informed decisions, protect their people, and build safer, more sustainable futures.

Character:

Matthew exemplifies integrity, accountability, discretion, and a deeply rooted commitment to protecting others, values demonstrated throughout his distinguished federal service and private-sector leadership career. His principled approach to decision-making, respect for confidentiality, and dedication to organizational well-being establish him as a trusted advisor capable of navigating sensitive and consequential challenges.

Knowledge:

With more than four decades of experience across national security, federal law enforcement, corporate consulting, and behavioral threat management, Matthew possesses exceptional expertise in identifying organizational vulnerabilities and developing comprehensive risk mitigation strategies. His understanding of workplace violence prevention, insider threats, enterprise security, and multidisciplinary risk management enables him to offer informed perspectives that support effective governance and organizational resilience.

Strategic:

Matthew approaches complex organizational challenges with a proactive mindset, integrating risk assessment, leadership alignment, operational preparedness, and sustainable prevention frameworks into comprehensive strategies. His ability to anticipate emerging threats, evaluate organizational exposure, and translate specialized expertise into practical recommendations positions him to contribute valuable insight to executive leadership teams and boards of directors.

Communication:

An accomplished speaker, educator, and executive advisor who has successfully communicated complex threat management concepts to senior government officials, corporate leaders, multidisciplinary teams, and national audiences. His ability to present sensitive information with clarity, confidence, and sound judgment strengthens stakeholder collaboration, supports informed decision-making, and inspires organizational commitment to prevention and preparedness.

Tags:board advisoryCorporate Governancecrisis managementEnterprise Risk Managementexecutive leadershipexecutive trainingFederal Law Enforcementinsider threat preventionNational SecurityOrganizational ResilienceSecurity Consultingstrategic advisorystrategic risk managementThreat AssessmentWorkplace Violence Prevention

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