Max Friedenwald-Fishman
Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people. But stories can also repair that broken dignity.— Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Max strongly believes in the power of narrative as a powerful tool for catalyzing social change.
Max approaches his work with a genuine curiosity and a desire to learn. He has a background in history and rhetoric, specifically studying the power of narrative and the impact of historical narratives on communities and individuals in the present. He brings experience in research, data analysis, customer service, and working with intercultural communities. He loves the challenge of aggregating large amounts of data into organized and digestible formats, and finds purpose in doing work in all of MG’s focus areas.
His areas of expertise include:
- Historical and rhetorical analysis
- Narrative analysis
- Group coordination and facilitation
- Writing and content development
- Presentation development and delivery
- Research and analysis
Experience
From 2020–2022, Max was both an intern and an independent contractor for MG—working on projects related to food system change, smoking cessation, democratic values, public health, and health care access. His work has included: stakeholder and issue research, content development, media and social media tracking and analysis, 3Vs social purpose branding, and narrative change. Max has had the opportunity to work on regional, national and international projects. During college, he volunteered bi-weekly at the Immigrant Resource Center of Maine teaching ESL courses to adults from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Angola. These classes ignited a passion for teaching, so he spent the following year teaching English in Bilbao, Spain.
In 2021, Max graduated from Bates College with a B.A. in history. He wrote an honors thesis examining the inundation of Celilo Falls through the perspectives of narrative, meaning-making, and historical memory.
In Community
During college, Max was awarded the 2021 Harward Center Award for Outstanding Community Volunteerism and Student Leadership for his four years of volunteer work with IRCM. As a new Portland resident, he is looking forward to finding new ways to engage with the community.
When not working, Max loves to be outside—hiking, swimming, skiing, surfing, biking and scuba diving. But not climbing—he is afraid of heights. He also enjoys cooking, dabbling on his guitar, reading (mostly) fiction, and cuddling his cat, Pintxo.