Michelle Shephard
Journalist
2022
Michelle Shephard is an award-winning journalist, author and filmmaker who has covered issues of terrorism and civil rights since the 9/11 attacks. During her two decades at the Toronto Star, she reported from more than 20 countries, including Somalia, Yemen, Syria and Pakistan. Among her films, Shephard directed and produced the Emmy-nominated documentary Guantanamo’s Child, and her books include Decade of Fear: Reporting from Terrorism’s Grey Zone. Shephard now works as an independent filmmaker and journalist and podcast host and producer. Her most recent podcast series include Brainwashed, about the CIA’s mind control experiments and White Hot Hate, which explored the rise of the Neo-Nazi accelerationist movement.
The Summit was more than empty words – it made clear that a solution-driven approach is the only way to fight hate. That’s why the working group activities, which are results driven are going to be critical in defeating violent extremism. The Summit brought together the best minds in government, private sector, academia, and civil society. Being surrounded by these experts sparked new ideas – some of which I’ve already implemented or have written about.
