NXIVM Corporation

Company type	Privately held company
Industry	Multi-level marketing
Founded	1998
Founder	Keith Raniere Nancy Salzman
Headquarters	Colonie, New York
Key people	Keith Raniere (founder) Nancy Salzman (president)[1]
Products	Seminars
Website	www.nxivm.com

NXIVM (/ˈnɛksiəm/ NEKS-ee-əm) is a multi-level marketing organization^[2][3][4] that offers personal and professional development seminars.^[5] Based in Albany County, New York, NXIVM was founded in 1998 by Keith Raniere.^[6] News reports and former members have described NXIVM as a cult.^[7][8]

In 2017, The New York Times reported that a "secret sisterhood" within NXIVM referred to female members as "slaves", branded them with Raniere's initials, and required them to provide nude photos or other potentially damaging information about themselves if they wished to join.^[9][10] In March 2018, Raniere was indicted on federal charges after being arrested in Mexico on sex trafficking charges.^[11] Following his arrest, Raniere appeared in front of a Fort Worth federal judge in the State of Texas where he faced charges of sex trafficking and as well as forced labor in New York State.^[12]

History

The NXIVM training system is administered through Executive Success Programs, Inc.. The training uses a technique called "rational inquiry" to facilitate personal and professional development. During seminars, students refer to Keith Raniere and NXIVM President Nancy Salzman as "Vanguard" and "Prefect", respectively.^[13][14][15]

Reportedly, over 12,000 people have attended the classes between its founding in 1998 and 2010.^[16]

Dalai Lama's visit to Albany

The 14th Dalai Lama's planned visit to Albany in 2009—which was sponsored by the World Ethical Foundations Consortium, an organization co-founded by Clare and Sara Bronfman and NXIVM founder Keith Raniere—was cancelled due to negative press surrounding NXIVM.^[17] However, the Dalai Lama later reconsidered, accepted NXIVM's invitation and spoke at Albany's Palace Theatre in May 2009.^[18][19]

Notable clients

Its clients have included Richard Branson as well as actresses Linda Evans, Allison Mack, Kristin Kreuk and Nicki Clyne.^[16] According to Forbes magazine, 3,700 people had taken part in its Executive Success Program as of 2003, including Sheila Johnson, co-founder of BET; Antonia Novello, former Surgeon General of the United States; Stephen Cooper of Enron; and Ana Cristina Fox, daughter of former Mexican president Vicente Fox.^[20]

Emiliano Salinas (son of former Mexican president Carlos Salinas), has been identified by Proceso magazine as "director" in Mexico for NXIVM.^[21]

Criticism

Forbes coverage

In October 2003, Forbes featured an article focused on NXIVM and some involved parties.^[20] Originally intended to focus on NXIVM, the piece would also focus on founder Keith Raniere and his life. The emergence of NXIVM came at a time when the demand by executives was at a high, with some coaches charging $25,000 a day. Advocates say the workshop sharpens focus, and has been described as a “practical M.B.A.” Critics cited the amount of confidentiality--students sign a nondisclosure agreement--and the amount of power that Raniere has over the operation and the students. John Hochman, a forensic psychiatrist at UCLA, described NXIVM as “a kingdom of sorts”, and a former student described becoming physically exhausted after going through 17-hour days of workshops and needing to check herself into the hospital.^[20] After the article was released, Sitrick and Company, a public relations firm, was hired to work on press surrounding the company, but would later part ways with NXIVM.^[22]

A 2006 article was released about the Bronfman sisters, stating that they had taken out a line of credit to loan NXIVM US$2 million, repayable through personal training sessions from co-founder Nancy Salzman and for Salzman being available to take calls from Clare.^[23]

A 2010 follow-up article in Forbes discussed commodities and real estate deals made pursuant to Raniere's advice that went awry. In reference to Edgar Bronfman’s relationship to his daughters, his advisor released a statement saying that there had "been no change in the excellent relations between Edgar M. Bronfman and his daughters, Clare and Sara."^[24]

Litigation

In 2003, NXIVM sued the Ross Institute alleging copyright infringement for publishing excerpts of content from its manual in three critical articles commissioned by cult investigator Rick Alan Ross and posted on his website. Ross posted a psychiatrist's assessment of NXIVM's "secret" manual on his website – the report called the regimen "expensive brainwashing". The manual was obtained by Ross from former member Stephanie Franco, a co-defendant in the trial, who had signed a non-disclosure agreement not to divulge information from the manual to others. NXIVM filed suits in both New York, and New Jersey, but both were later dismissed.^[16][25]

New York Times and 20/20 exposés

In October 2017, The New York Times published an article which detailed women's experiences being branded while under the supervision of senior NXIVM executive Nancy Salzman.

On December 15, 2017, the ABC news magazine 20/20 aired an exposé featuring interviews with many former NXIVM adherents; the report included an interview with Catherine Oxenberg, who alleged that her daughter, actress India Oxenberg, was in danger due to the group. Several former members reported financial and sexual predation carried out by NXIVM leaders.^[9][10]

References

External links

• Official website
• Three critical articles pertaining to the NXIVM v. Ross Institute lawsuit
• Times Union Special Report
• Frank Report
• Meier, Barry (October 17, 2017). "Inside a Secretive Group Where Women Are Branded". The New York Times. Retrieved February 10, 2018.