The America Project was founded in 2021 with the mission of making a meaningful difference in the lives of everyday Americans. 

As the 2024 election cycle approached, The America Project began ramping up its efforts on social media, sharing insights and fostering discussions around critical issues facing American democracy. Following the election, Matthew recognized the urgency of the project’s mission. With growing disinformation and division threatening the nation’s democratic foundations, he resolved to turn The America Project into a fully realized initiative.

The pivotal moment came when The America Project’s social media accounts began sharing the concepts and strategies now at the heart of its mission. Within 30 days, the account experienced explosive growth, with engagement increasing by over 3,000%. This surge revealed a strong appetite among Americans for actionable solutions and a willingness to participate in change—they simply needed direction.

With this groundswell of interest, a team of passionate volunteers joined the effort, ready to work toward a sustained campaign to combat disinformation, rebuild trust, and foster civic engagement.

 

Founder: Matt Bennett
Matt Bennett is an accomplished leader with over 25 years of experience in program and project management, specializing in integrating business strategies with innovative technological solutions. Matt started his professional career in law enforcement, and spent a decade as a local police officer and Federal agent with the US Dept. of Justice.  His career spans various industries, including public and private sectors, energy, government, and technology, with a strong emphasis on geospatial technologies, software development, and organizational transformation.

Key Highlights of Matt’s Career:

• US Army combat veteran who served in the Middle East and spent over a decade in the Tx Army National Guard
• Law enforcement officer with a decades experience in local, state and federal agencies, namely the US Border Patrol.
• Professional executive level business consultant and subject matter expert in border securities and technology
• Professional Expert in Project and Program Management:
• Leadership in Technology and Innovation, specifically in border security technologies, geospatial and enterprise information systems
• Strategic Consultant in the Public Sector including criminal justice, case management, and geospatial technologies.

Matt Bennett’s extensive experience in managing complex public and private sector programs and his ability to deliver results under challenging circumstances make him uniquely qualified to lead The America Project. His expertise in leveraging technology, building strategic partnerships, and fostering community engagement aligns perfectly with the project’s mission to combat disinformation and empower grassroots activism.

Under his leadership, The America Project is poised to harness innovative strategies, implement cutting-edge tools, and inspire civic participation to address the pressing challenges facing democracy today.

matt@america-project.org

 

Co-Founder: Janet Bennett, PhD

Dr. Janet Bennett is a social psychologist with a PhD specializing in aggression and social exclusion. Her extensive academic background and research experience provide The America Project with a deep understanding of the psychological factors driving polarization, misinformation, and social division.

Dr. Bennett’s expertise lies in examining how individuals and groups respond to exclusion and how these dynamics can fuel aggressive behaviors or deepen social divides. Her work also explores strategies to foster inclusion, rebuild trust, and mitigate conflict—key elements in addressing the disinformation and division targeted by The America Project.

Dr. Bennett’s knowledge of social behavior and group dynamics directly informs the project’s strategies, particularly its emphasis on grassroots engagement and countering misinformation. Her insights are critical to developing messaging and interventions that resonate with diverse audiences, break down barriers, and foster meaningful community connections.

Her leadership ensures The America Project’s approach is grounded in evidence-based methods, enabling it to tackle complex social challenges effectively and sustainably.