Matt Charles is the former deputy spokesperson for the University of Virginia during and after the tragic Unite the Right rally in 2017, and many other crises. Prior to this position, he served the UVA Darden School of Business as director of media relations, helping the school earn a #1 ranking through his reputation management work. A frequent media spokesperson, crisis management/strategic communication professor and former New York City special investigator working sex and drug crimes involving children, he has provided training for the US Department of State, National Criminal Justice Command College and Drug Enforcement Administration, served on a working group for Washington, DC universities (Consortium 120) to combat gun violence, and has received Fulbright support. Professor Charles provides strategic counsel for institutions of higher education, government organizations, nonprofits, corporations, and small businesses and startups. He teaches, or has taught, for Georgetown University, the University of Virginia, American University, Northeastern University, the University of Maryland Global Campus, the University of Iowa, Rutgers University, the University of Florida, the University of Alabama and Purdue University.