Sheetal Patel

Sheetal Patel is a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) senior executive who retired after 28 years of distinguished service. In her last assignment she served as the Assistant Director of CIA for the Transnational and Technology Mission Center. In this role she established and led a new mission center dedicated to leveraging emerging technologies for U.S. strategic advantage. Ms. Patel also served as Assistant Director for CIA for Counterintelligence, where she again led a large globally dispersed team focused on safeguarding U.S. intelligence personnel, operations, and technology from evolving global threats. Throughout her career, Ms. Patel has held several high-impact leadership roles, including Deputy Chief of Station in South Asia and Executive Assistant to two CIA Directors. Ms. Patel is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Presidential Rank Award and four CIA Directors’ Awards.

Ms. Patel is an experienced board member across diverse sectors, including technology, venture capital, and non-profit organizations. As the founder of Shadowline Consulting, a specialized advisory firm, she supports organizations in navigating the complexities of an ever-evolving business landscape. Her firm delivers strategic insights and customized solutions to address critical challenges—ranging from insider threats to the opportunities and risks presented by emerging technologies—empowering executives to make informed, forward looking decisions with confidence.

She holds a Master of Arts in Security Policy Studies from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Boston University. She also is a former Navy Intelligence Reserve Officer.