CIA at SXSW

CIA reps will be at South by Southwest (SXSW) this year to connect with attendees and share information about Agency priorities, as well as opportunities for growth and partnership.

SXSW attendees will have the opportunity to:

  • Hear from CIA’s top tech leaders on the future of intelligence and technology (Panel)
  • Talk with CIA officers about exciting career opportunities (Creative Industries Expo)
  • Engage with CIA officers to learn about industry partnerships (Creative Industries Expo)

Learn more about CIA’s participation at SXSW by following us on our social media channels and #CIASXSW.

Spies Supercharged: Tech and the Future of CIA

In a world of ubiquitous surveillance, artificial intelligence, sophisticated disinformation campaigns, and data streams that double in size every two years, how will intelligence agencies respond to the opportunities and challenges presented by emerging technologies and the ever-changing digital ecosystems we will live within? Join CIA Leaders in Technology and Digital Innovation on this wide-ranging discussion about the future of intelligence.

Learn more about CIA’s panelists below.

David S. Cohen

▼ Deputy Director of CIA

David S. Cohen was officially sworn-in on January 20, 2021. Cohen previously served as Deputy Director of the CIA from 2015 to 2017. In that role, Cohen helped manage the Agency’s worldwide operations, oversee strategic modernization of the Agency, and lead foreign intelligence collection, analysis, and action. He directed special projects on new technologies and how best to work with companies to advance the CIA’s mission. Previously he served as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorist Financing and in the Treasury’s general counsel’s office. Before joining the Treasury Department in 2009, Cohen practiced law for nearly 20 years. Cohen earned his bachelor’s degree in government from Cornell University and his JD from Yale Law School.

Jennifer Ewbank

▼ Deputy Director of CIA for Digital Innovation

Jennifer Ewbank is the Deputy Director of CIA for Digital Innovation, responsible for accelerating the development and integration of digital and cyber capabilities across all of CIA’s mission areas, to include enterprise information technology, cyber security, cyber operations and analysis, data strategy and artificial intelligence, open source collection and reporting, as well as building the digital acumen of the CIA workforce through training and education. As the Agency’s de facto Chief Digital Officer, Ms. Ewbank oversees the Digital C-Suite roles of Chief Information Officer, Chief Information Security Officer, and Chief Data Officer.

Sheetal T. Patel

▼ Assistant Director for CIA, Transnational and Technology Mission Center

Sheetal T. Patel was named the Assistant Director of the CIA for the Transnational and Technology Mission Center in January 2022. Prior to that position, Sheetal T. Patel was the Assistant Director of the CIA for Counterintelligence in 2019. Ms. Patel served as Deputy Chief of Station and Chief of Analysis in South Asia. Ms. Patel has previously served in a variety of leadership roles in the Agency, including Deputy Assistant Director of the Counterintelligence Mission Center (CIMC) and CIMC Chief of Analysis. Ms. Patel was an Executive Assistant to two CIA directors and served as the National Security Council’s Director for Afghanistan from 2003-2004.

Nand Mulchandani

Nand Mulchandani headshot

▼ Chief Technology Officer

As the Agency’s first Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Mr. Mulchandani ensures the Agency is leveraging cutting-edge innovations and scanning the horizon for tomorrow’s innovations to further CIA’s mission. He has over 25 years’ experience working in Silicon Valley as well as the Department of Defense (DoD). Prior to joining CIA, he most recently served as the CTO and Acting Director of DoD’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center. He also co-founded and was CEO of several successful startups – Oblix (acquired by Oracle), Determina (acquired by VMWare), OpenDNS (acquired by Cisco), and ScaleXtreme (acquired by Citrix). He has a degree in Computer Science and Math from Cornell, a Master of Science degree in Management from Standford , and a Master in Public Administration degree from Harvard.

Careers

CIA’s mission depends on diversity of skills, thought, and people. At CIA, you will be part of a team that is the Nation’s first line of defense. You will use your technical and creative expertise and work with partners in government and industry to help solve problems unlike any other. Discover how you can build your career at CIA.

Find Your Calling about Careers

Partner With Us

CIA does not carry out its mission alone. Partnerships are essential to all of our activities, and they are especially critical with respect to staying in advance of our adversary’s technical capabilities. CIA seeks partners from all market segments and levels to support our tactical and strategic technology initiatives. See how a partnership with CIA can help defend the Nation.

Learn More about Partner With Us