Rupal Patel

Rupal Patel, a former CIA Intelligence Officer turned CEO, serial entrepreneur, international speaker, and consultant, transitioned from her initial career in intelligence to founding and directing the Communication Analysis and Design Laboratory (CadLab), an interdisciplinary research group at Northeastern University. The CadLab focuses on the analysis of spoken communication and the design of novel human-computer communication interfaces. She holds a Bachelor's in Neuropsychology from the University of Calgary, and a Master of Health Science in Speech-Language Pathology, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy in Speech Pathology and Biomedical Engineering from the University of Toronto. Completing her post-doctorate training in speech acoustics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Patel was a faculty member in the Department of Biobehavioral Sciences at Teachers College of Columbia University before joining the Northeastern faculty in 2003. She holds appointments in the Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, the College of Computer and Information Science, and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Northeastern. Additionally, she is an affiliated faculty member in the Speech and Hearing Bioscience and Technology program at Harvard-MIT.

Patel's career encompasses significant achievements including authoring the international best-seller "From CIA to CEO," which integrates CIA techniques for personal and professional success, and emphasizes leadership through learning and managing burnout. Her work has been integrated into MBA and Executive MBA programs at prestigious institutions such as London Business School, Henley Business School, and the University of Edinburgh Business School. Recognized by the CIA Director for "superior support to the President of the United States," Patel has developed a comprehensive understanding of leadership dynamics in high-pressure situations. Her practical and engaging workshops cover topics such as intentional experimentation, mastering your mind, and lifestyle design.

An acclaimed public speaker, Patel has delivered keynotes and seminars at various prestigious organizations including Heathrow Express, Ekimetrics, and Anheuser-Busch InBev, tailoring her sessions to meet specific audience needs such as data scientists and analytical thinkers at Ekimetrics. She holds the title of Entrepreneur in Residence at London Business School and serves as an Advisor for Virgin Startup, further contributing to her extensive influence in the fields of entrepreneurship and business leadership. Patel is widely praised for her dynamic speaking style and her ability to inspire and provoke new thinking with honesty and powerful communication.