Patrick R. Riccards is CEO of Life After Hate, a nonprofit that helps people disengage from violent far-right extremism and hateful online communities. Under his leadership, the organization has expanded its intervention work while anchoring its programs in compassion, empathy, integrity, redemption, and accountability.
Riccards approaches the role as a social entrepreneur, pushing the organization toward outcomes-based programming backed by data so its impact can be measured and improved over time. He has driven several initiatives aimed at scaling that work, including asynchronous training courses for law enforcement, military, and mental health professionals.
He has also championed a planned video series featuring accounts from former extremists, along with new programs supporting veterans at risk of entering or trying to exit violent far-right movements, guided by his belief that society improves only when it practices compassion and offers second chances.
