DR. TAU BRAUN
The Executive Director of the Violence Prevention Agency is Dr. Tau Braun (Ed.D., M.S., EMT). Dr. Braun is a Violence Prevention Specialist. As Executive Director, Dr. Tau Braun manages the operations, personnel, partnerships, and budget of the VPA.
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U.S. National Counterterrorism & EMS Advisor and Trainer
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Chief Scientist, BioChem Engineering
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Executive Director, Violence Prevention Agency (VPA)
In a world that is becoming increasingly vulnerable and fearful of the loss of life and trauma caused by violence, Dr. Tau Braun’s epistemological, humanistic, systems-based approach offers a compassionate, scientific, optimistic, and mindful solution to this complex issue. Dr. Braun provokes a strong reaction from his audience. He challenges us to think about the root causes of violence and inspires us to be empathetic in our response to those that cause harm to themselves and others. He makes a strong case to see violence as a public health issue, not a criminal-justice one, and to be proactive and adaptive in our response. He believes that not only is it the most ethical approach, but also the only option that is viable, sustainable, and in sync with a rapidly changing world. Dr. Braun’s unbashful and unwavering commitment to reducing suffering and improving conditions for all will leave you feeling uplifted, hopeful, informed, and recruited in working towards a much-needed pathway to a safer and happier world.
As a U.S. National Counterterrorism and Emergency Management SME, Dr. Braun advises and trains educational institutions, healthcare facilities, corporations (including Fortune 100 and 500 companies), and both state and federal government organizations in Violence Prevention Strategies and Crisis Response, such as Threat Management; Active Attacker Prevention and Response, Counterterrorism, and Crisis Leadership. In 2019, Dr. Braun provided testimony on Mass Violence to the Texas Senate Select Committee on Mass Violence Prevention and Community Safety. His research and teaching focuses on the use of a biopsychosocial (BPS) approach to violence prevention and intervention efforts.
Dr. Braun earned his Doctorate in Education with a concentration in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. His dissertation explored the relationship between organizational culture and the implementation of strategies for Workplace Violence Prevention. Dr. Braun is a graduate of the Advanced Threat Assessment and Threat Management Academy of Gavin De Becker and Associates. He has trained with Lt. Col. Grossman, Capt. Robert Martin, Dr. Reid Meloy and Lt. Tom Taylor in Advanced Threat Assessment and Threat Management, with Dr. Stephen White and Dr. Reid Meloy in Workplace Assessment for Violence Risk, with Dr. Robert Hare and Dr. Matt Logan in interviewing and assessing individuals for psychopathic traits, and the Evolution of Mass Murder with Dr. Mary Ellen O’Toole and Dr. Reid Meloy.
Dr. Braun is currently investigating the bio-synthetic aspects of SARS-CoV2, the possibility that it is a military-grade biological weapon, and mapping its pathophysiology.
Dr. Braun is a member of ASIS International, the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP - Past Vice President Northeast Chapter).
Previous Clients
ABT Associates
ALERRT - Texas State University
Aransas Pass Police Department
California Association of Tactical Officers
Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Chinese-American Planning Council
City of Denver
City of Los Angeles
Coastal Bend Regional Advisory Council
ESRD Network 18 Of Southern California
Emergency Preparedness Office California Department of Public Health
Everbridge
Glenn County Sheriff's Office
Health Care Foundation for Ventura County
Health Services Advisory Group (HSAG)
Homeland Security Advisory Group
Hudson River Trading HRT
Los Angeles County
Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC)
Metropolitan Hospital Security Directors Association
NYU Langone Medical Centers
Pacific Premier Bank
Santa Clarita Community College District
Spotify
Tracfone
WeWork
Speaking Engagements Keynotes, Workshops, and Training
Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Conference, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Center (CMS) Conference, the California Tactical Officers Association (CATO) Conference, the Los Angeles County Situational Awareness Symposium, the FEMA Active Shooter Preparation for Higher Education Workshop, the National Healthcare Coalition Preparedness Conference, Ventura County’s Master The Disaster Symposium, CBRAC Violence Prevention and Response Symposium, the Preparedness Summit, INTERCEP’s Urgent Threat Forum, the ACI-NA Airport Collaborative: Crisis Management Workshop, the California Department of Public Health - EMSA Emergency Preparedness Training Workshop, Indiana Department of Education School Safety Training, Men in Nursing and Women in EMS Conference, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), Solano County EMS Summit, Glenn County Violence Prevention + Response Summit, Everbridge’s Global Security Operations Center Workshops, the Bank Security Conference, and Denver International Airport’s Safety Seminar, Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) Crisis Leadership and Emergency Management Workshop, TogetherWell Covid-19 Response, and the Maryland Center for School Safety - Safety Seminar Series.
CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS + PROJECTS
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The Use of Synthetic Biology in Bioweapons and Biowarfare
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A Biopsychosocial (BPS) approach to Violence Prevention.
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Violence Prevention, Preparedness, and Response for Healthcare Settings
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The Role of Hyperconnectivity in Mass Attacker Conation.
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Violence as a Public Health Issue.
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The role of Emergency Management in Violence Prevention, Preparedness, and Response.
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Reducing Youth Violence - A Threat Management Approach.
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Dr. Tau Braun (Ed.D., M.Sc., EMT)
TESTIMONIALS
Dr. Braun’s presentation on Violence Prevention and De-Escalation was both captivating and thought provoking. He has the ability to take a very serious and often scary topic and frame it in a way that is digestible and retainable. The dialysis community has greatly benefited from his knowledge and passion on this topic. We look forward to ongoing collaborations to help improve safety in the delivery of care to our dialysis population.
Eileen Rhodes, Patient Services Director, HealthInsight ESRD Alliance - Network 18
"Dr. Braun’s Advanced Violence Prevention Training for Healthcare received outstanding feedback from our group. The subject matter was delivered in a unique and thought provoking way. Security Directors and Law Enforcement Professionals would find this type of training highly beneficial."
Robert Casazza, Director of Security for NYU Lutheran Medical Center, former Commanding Officer, NYPD Homicide Squad.
“The one thing that has left a lasting impression on me and has changed my perspective, is Dr. Braun’s love for the human race!! We all love to help people good or bad, but he reminded me that they are people and should be treated as such. I was deeply moved by his passion for the work that he does.”
Daniel Ramirez, Coordinator for the Emergency Medical Task Force 11, South Texas.
“Our region was inspired, deeply moved and motivated to embrace our social responsibilities and work diligently to help prevent another tragedy.”
Hilary Watt, Executive Director, Coastal Bend Regional Advisory Council (CBRAC).
“I have had the pleasure of hearing Dr. Braun speak on three occasions now. I was particularly moved at the National Healthcare Coalition Conference on the day of the San Bernardino shooting. Coincidentally, Dr. Braun was scheduled to speak that same afternoon at an active shooter presentation. I have not forgotten how gracefully he delivered the difficult and emotional subject matter to an audience that consisted of some employees of the very San Bernardino Public Health office that was affected. I have shared what I learned from Dr. Braun that day with our hospital staff at almost every level, as well as many of our hospital preparedness partners. His dedication to sharing and educating to his message is evident and I look forward to future opportunities to hear him present.”
Nicole Vorzimer, Pre-Hospital Care Coordinator/Emergency Preparedness Coordinator, Simi Valley Hospital.
"Dr. Braun’s recent presentation at our symposium, Master the Disaster 2016, engaged our audience in a dynamic discussion surrounding the very sensitive subject of Violence in America. Dr. Braun's style and ease with the subject caused them to leave the presentation with a new perspective on acts of violence and steps to walk forward as first responders. It was truly an amazing presentation on the subject".
Dan Wall, Manager, Public Health, EPO Emergency Medical Services Agency, Ventura County, CA.
"Dr. Braun is, without a doubt, one of the best public speakers I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. His passion and knowledge of the subject allow him to fully engage and connect with the audience, no matter the size."
Janelle Leza, Program Development, Emergency Preparedness Office - Ventura County Emergency Medical Services Agency.
"Thank you very much for your terrific participation with the FEMA Active Shooter in Universities event today. We all greatly appreciate your work and your involvement in FEMA’s Strengthening Preparedness and Resilience in Higher Education Workshop Panel. Thanks to your efforts, and because of your adept and expert presentation capabilities, a room full of emergency managers and university public safety professionals were further educated today on the latest preparedness techniques in higher education with regard to effectively dealing with an active shooter event."
Julie Nacos, Preparedness Unit, Individual and Community Preparedness, FEMA/DHS Region II.
"The content, knowledge of the speaker, Dr. Braun, and the presentation itself was outstanding! I would definitely book Dr. Braun to speak again."
Dr. Carly Goldberg, Instructor, School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania.
"Dr. Braun provided our students with very useful information on violence prevention during our professional issues seminar. The stories and examples he used were highly engaging and helped people understand this important and multi-faceted topic."
Shawn Price, NSSLHA Student President, Nova Southeastern University.
“Dr. Braun is an innovative, energetic and knowledgeable speaker and consultant. He brings a high level of positivity, enthusiasm, expertise and professionalism to his work. It is evident that he is truly passionate about helping others.”
Beatriz Caicedo-Maddison, Professional Engineer and Project Manager, Florida Department of Transportation.
"Trinity Place Shelter, a 10-bed transitional shelter for homeless LGBT youth and young adults, was fortunate enough to host Dr. Tau Braun for a two-part workshop on violence prevention. Most of the residents at Trinity Place come from backgrounds marked by disenfranchisement, marginalization and trauma. What’s more, many of our youth are targeted victims of anti-gay and anti-transgender-violence on a daily basis. Dr. Braun expertly tailored the workshop to address the very specific needs of the youth and skillfully created a space that was non-judgmental, youth-friendly and LGBTQ-sensitive. Using a strengths-based approach, Dr. Braun and the youth actively engaged in dynamic, empowering discussions of violence and violence prevention which were relevant to their lives and cognizant of their strengths."
Wendy Kaplan, LCSW, Trinity Place Shelter, NYC.
"The lecture was well organized and appropriate to the students of the program. Information was presented in a manner that was easy to follow and not overwhelming. The serious nature of the topic was presented in such a way that students were empowered rather than overwhelmed and fearful. Thank you so much. Students will benefit from this information."
Dr. Angela Sherman, Speech-Language and Communication Disorders, Nova Southeastern University.