Frank Straub, Ph.D., LLP is the Director of Harm Prevention at the Rural Behavioral Health Institute. Dr. Straub is recognized nationally and internationally as a subject matter expert in targeted violence prevention, school safety, and behavioral threat assessment and management. In addition to his work with RBHI, he is the Head of Criminal Justice Partnerships at Moonshot, a social impact company dedicated to preventing targeted violence by understanding and disrupting concerning online activities.
Dr. Straub founded and directed the National Policing Institute’s Center for Targeted Violence Prevention. During his tenure, he led reviews of several high-profile mass shootings, established and led the Averted School Violence database, technical assistance projects to prevent targeted violence, promote school safety, and advance behavioral threat assessment and management (BTAM).
Dr. Straub consults with Safe and Sound Schools. He led the development of an e-Guide for School-based Behavioral Threat Assessment teams working with students on the autism spectrum. Th e-Guide was released in September 2025. He also continues to lead the Averted School Violence database. Dr. Straub is advising Boston Children’s Hospital’s Trauma and Community Resilience Center, on the development of a best practices guide to prevent adolescent engagement in targeted violence.
Dr. Straub served in senior leadership positions in federal, state and local law enforcement and public safety during his 30-year career. He holds a BA in Psychology, a MA in Forensic Psychology, and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice. He is a licensed masters-level psychologist in Michigan. Dr. Straub provides subject matter expertise, case consultation, and expert witness testimony in cases involving autistic persons who are involved in the criminal justice system.
Dr. Straub has published extensively, testified before Congress, participated in White House briefings, and regularly presents at international and national conferences.
It is a tragic reality that hateful ideology has found fertile ground online and offline, with consequences affecting not only Americans but people around the world. We cannot stand idle in the face of bias, bigotry, and extremism. Together, at the Eradicate Hate Summit and beyond, the collective will of individuals and organizations is needed to galvanize all people of good will to protect and defend our communities.
