Democracy Security Project (DSP)

DSP provides cybersecurity training; physical safety training; communication planning to combat misinformation or disinformation; legal security, such as planning for public figures, dealing with investigations, and “weaponization of courts”; and planning for events and protests, including security and the potential need for de-escalation. ³

Jesse O’Connell and Maju Varghese, both veterans of Democratic political campaigns, are the co-founders of DSP.  ¹

Background

The Democracy Security Project provides consulting and security advising for organizers, civil servants, authors, artists, teachers, healthcare professionals, journalists, and leaders, facing new or urgent threats. The group says it provides training tools to help racial minorities, LGBT people, religious minorities, “and other particularly threatened communities” stay safe from potential threats of violence or harassment. ⁴

DSP, a nonprofit, appears to be aligned with the for-profit consulting firm NEWCO Strategies. Both were co-founded by veteran Democratic political operative Jess O’Connell and share leadership staff, such as Maju Varghese, a DSP co-founder and principal at NEWCO. ¹ NEWCO’s website also promotes the DSP. ⁵

Nonprofit Quarterly listed DSP as a resource for nonprofits that is looking for best practices for navigating government subpoenas, search warrants, or congressional investigations. ²

In September 2025, the organization joined about 500 others and condemned the murder of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk as well as all political violence. But the groups announced they stood against any threats against organizations from President Donald Trump. ⁶

Security Specialty

The Democracy Security Project provides security and safety training, and offers support and action plans for organizers and individuals for advocacy and crisis management. ³

The group provides cybersecurity training; physical safety training; communication planning to combat misinformation or disinformation; legal security, such as planning for public figures, dealing with investigations, and “weaponization of courts”; and planning for events and protests, including security and the potential need for de-escalation. ³

The project develops and produces educational resources to increase safety and security awareness for leaders and organizers. It offers one-on-one assessments, support, and direct services to those facing online and offline harassment or threats. ⁷

Leadership

Jesse O’Connell is a co-founder of the Democracy Security Project. She was previously the co-founder and CEO of NEWCO Strategies, a woman and LGBT-owned firm involved in left-of-center advocacy. After the 2016 election, she was the CEO at the Democratic National Committee. In 2019, O’Connell was a senior advisor to then- South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s (D) presidential campaign. She was also the former executive director of EMILY’s List. She also held jobs at the Center for American Progress, and the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. ¹

Maju Varghese is a co-founder of DSP. Varghese previously worked in the White House for both Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. He was previously the chief operating officer for the National Endowment for Democracy. He was also the director of the White House Military Office during the Biden administration. He was previously COO and senior advisor of the Biden campaign. In the Obama administration, he was the assistant to the president for management and administration, and special assistant to the president and deputy director of advance. ⁸

Teisha J. Garrett is the managing director of DSP. She previously worked for the Obama administration as the White House Liaison at both the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Environmental Protection Agency. She led fundraising and marketing efforts for groups such as Women for Women International, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, EMILY’s List, the American Association for Justice, and International Medical Corps. She was also the president of Run the World Digital, a company that advised political candidates and left-of-center organizations on donor strategy and direct mail. She is a former vice president of marketing at Civitech, a marketing and communications firm. ⁹

Mo Shatara is the founding director of DSP and a director with NEWCO Strategies. He was previously the deputy director of the Michigan Coordinated Campaign supporting the election of President Joe Biden and the re-election of U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) in 2020. He was previously the Nevada organizing director for Pete for America, the organization behind the Pete Buttigieg presidential campaign. ¹⁰

Ashley Marvel is the COO of DSP. She also works for NEWCO. She was previously the chief operating officer at Interpersonal Frequency, a tech firm. She is a former vice president of administration at the Center for American Progress. She also previously worked for the National Security Network, Voto Latino, and the ONE Campaign. ¹¹

Julianna Uranga is a founding director of DSP. She has been advocacy and program director for NEWCO Strategies. Previously, she worked as a scheduler and executive assistant to the president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. ¹²

Steve Alfaro is the creative director of DSP. He is a senior creative and cultural strategist with NEWCO Strategies. He previously worked at SíTV Media, now Fuse Media. He later worked for Voto Latino as its first creative and digital director. ¹³

Blanca Gamez is the training and research director of DSP. She was formerly an undocumented immigrant according to the organization. She was an immigration activist and has held leadership roles with the Sierra Club Southern Nevada Group, Dream Big Nevada, and Sigma Theta Psi. ¹⁴