Today’s guest is Nic McKinley. Nic fuses counterintelligence methods with technology to solve big problems. One of those problems is human trafficking. By starting DeliverFund in 2014, Nic started the first nonprofit organization to apply counterterrorism methodologies to fight human trafficking. They disrupt the human trafficking market by providing intelligence and specialized analytics about human trafficking activities to law enforcement authorities. Nic is also the CEO of Verafi, a private intelligence and due diligence firm specializing in collecting, analyzing, and presenting intelligence so organizations can make confident decisions about key hires and investments. So, what makes Nic uniquely qualified to start and run these two organizations? Well, as an experienced Special Agent at the CIA and an Air Force Pararescueman, Nic understands the ramifications of bad intelligence and the disastrous consequences of poorly researched decisions. In this interview, we get into Nic’s time in the Air Force and the CIA, fighting human trafficking with DeliverFund, Verafi, and much more.
Timestamps
00:02:31 Growing up in Billings, Montana and sense of service
00:04:41 Interest in becoming an Air Force Pararescueman (PJ)
00:06:26 His time as a PJ
00:10:08 Initial interest in intelligence
00:14:29 Spending a couple years rescuing investment bankers
00:17:31 Joining the CIA
00:19:01 Differences between the CIA and the FBI
00:21:06 His role in the CIA and covert action
00:25:53 Is he the real Jack Ryan?
00:28:53 Why he hasn't owned a TV in 20 years
00:30:07 Handling personal relationships while in the CIA
00:34:30 Optimizing performance as a CIA Agent
00:36:35 Biggest takeaways from working in the CIA
00:39:28 Why he started DeliverFund
00:43:05 State of the human trafficking industry
00:47:43 Identifying a human trafficking victim
00:49:21 The problem with only focusing on rescuing victims
00:50:39 How people can support DeliverFund
00:51:56 Ultimate vision for DeliverFund
00:53:08 Why he started Verafi
00:56:37 Hypothetical use case for Verafi and why companies should use it
01:04:49 Biggest challenges facing Verafi as they look to grow over the coming years
01:06:52 Ultimate vision for Verafi
01:07:20 What he wants to accomplish 5 years from now
01:08:04 His daily routine
01:08:51 His driving force
01:12:36 Parting words of wisdom around decision making
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