Harlan Mandel is one of the leading personalities in the media development and investment to support media sector globally with focus on independent journalism. Credited as the CEO of Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) and married to civil rights activist Maya Wiley, Mandel has made advance of independent media globally his livelihood.
Early Life
Harlan Mandel was born and raised in the United States; he always had an interest in law and media and social justice issues. He was given quality education during his formative years as well as input from differing viewpoints that would direct him to his chosen profession.
Entering adulthood at the dawn of an era of rapid media development, Mandel has had a chance to personally observe the work of independent media as the safeguard of democracy. Mandel continued with his early learning education, then proceeded to his undergraduate education, then got his law degree at the Columbia University School of Law.
This legal education would later be useful in his analysis of various legal issues facing media organizations globally including the various regulations. It was during his studentship or strained-scholarship years that he developed a fascination concerning media, law and social justice issues, which shaped his career.
Career
Introduction For years, Harlan Mandel was in the legal field as a legal consultant before he decided to embrace photography as his primary profession. Yet, it was in 1996 when he decided to change his career path upon joining Media Development Investment Fund.
Selecting the position of Deputy Managing Director, Mandel proved strong managerial skills and knowledge of the major problems of independent media companies. Mandel’s knowledge is broader than simple financing of media resources.
He has even been at the forefront writing business propositions regarding digital business models for media and has guided many organizations through what could be one of the most grueling transformations – that from analog to digital.
These insights on financial and operational media business prospects have positioned him as a knowledgeable resource figure to journalists and media business visionaries around the globe.
Spouse: Maya Wiley
Maya Wiley and Harlan Mandel met their partners in crime and the couple has turned out to be a powerful team in service to the public good. Maya Wiley is an NDA civil rights activist, lawyer, and the former mayoral candidate of New York City.
This marriage combines two optimistically opposite views on social justice. Since their marriage, the couple has pressed on with an active life in New York’s civil society: both are engaged in the fight for non-discrimination from their different professional positions.
This is because they have focused their partnership on social justice and democracy issues in their personal and working relationships. Laurent Mated through his position as the MDIF and through his collaboration with Maya Wiley he also strives to empower independent media and democracy globally.
His career is an excellent example of what focused and creative approach to the challenge of promoting free press and democracy around the world can produce.
