About Asha Rangappa:
- Asha Rangappa offers a unique perspective based on experience at the intersection of law, intelligence operations, and academia.
- She is a Senior Lecturer at the Yale University Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, where she teaches courses on national security, information warfare, and leadership and ethics.
- She trained in teaching the Enneagram and is an Accredited Professional with the International Enneagram Association.
- With her background as a former FBI Special Agent, Asha brings real-world insights into matters of intelligence, national security, and the rule of law.
Key Topics Asha Can Cover:
- Lessons from Quantico: How does a first-generation child of Indian immigrants from southern Virginia end up as a Special Agent for the FBI? Asha Rangappa describes her unique (and often humorous) career path and the personal challenges she encountered along the way, offering inspiring life lessons for anyone who’s considered the road less traveled.
- The Mechanics of Complicity: How do people get away with bad behavior without being held accountable? Typically, the conduct of bad actors in any organization isn’t a secret; in fact, usually it was enabled by a supporting cast of characters who were complicit through action or inaction, and helped shield them from accountability. In this thought-provoking talk, Asha shows how we can think of these complicit actors as the human "scaffolding" who allow corruption to take root and misconduct to flourish at the top. Using case studies across different sectors -- including the Theranos scandal, the CIA torture program, Harvey Weinstein, the Minneapolis police department, Facebook, and even Vladimir Putin, among others -- Asha analyzes the incentives, fears, and goals of the cast of characters who are invariably a part of any corrupt system. Asha’s presentation offers lessons for managers and policymakers to develop norms, codes of conduct and oversight mechanisms that can prevent corruption and misconduct from taking root and empower those in a position to stop it.
- Intel Brief: Who Wants Your Data and Why: Organizations promoting better cyber hygiene often fail to make a connection between individual cybersecurity and our broader national security priorities. What’s really at risk if you don’t get your software updates? Why does the U.S. government care if you’re watching dance videos on Tik Tok? How is it possible that the default password on your Roomba or smart toaster could help bring down our entire critical infrastructure? In this big-picture talk, Asha unpacks the U.S. Intelligence Community’s current Annual Threat Assessment to explain how our foreign adversaries and use cybertools – including theft, espionage, and hybrid warfare – to facilitate their geopolitical objectives. This is a great talk to help audiences understand why every person, from front-line employees to C-suite executives, should see themselves as a national security actor and what’s at stake when they don’t.
- Your Personal Board of Directors: How to Maximize Your Mentors: Seeking a mentor can feel intimidating, usually because we have a preconceived notions about who can and can’t be one. In this talk, Asha offers a new framework for thinking of mentorship, and helps audiences realize they probably have more existing resources and guidance than they realize. She also examines how mentoring doesn’t have to be limited to jobs and careers, but can be utilized in every area of our lives. Whether geared towards individuals seeking to mentor or be mentored, Asha’s talk is great for audiences seeking to expand their networks and learn how to maximize the ones they already have.
- Introduction to the Enneagram: Do you want to know what makes your friends, family, coworkers – and most importantly, yourself – tick? As an accredited Enneagram instructor who was trained at the Enneagram Institute in New York, Asha leads an interactive workshop on inner workings of the nine personality types their “blind spots,” and what makes them shine. This is a great session for groups interested in personal growth or for leaders and managers looking for new ways to develop their teams.
- Preserving Democracy in the (Dis)Information Age: The 2016 presidential election highlighted the ability of Russian intelligence to exploit social media to target and manipulate the American public. Former FBI counterintelligence agent Asha Rangappa explains how Russia adapted Cold War tactics for the Information Age, and why the growing political fragmentation in America facilitates its efforts and has serious implications for the future of democracy.
- A Precarious Balance: Civil Liberties in an Age of “Absolute Immunity” for Executive Power: What is the “unitary executive” theory and what does it mean for individual rights? Asha traces the evolving and expanding scope of executive power through the 20th century into the post 9/11 era, culminating in the historical Supreme Court decision on presidential immunity in 2024. In the wake of that decision, what are the limits of executive power if the President is effectively above the law? Intended for lawyers and non-legal audiences alike, Asha breaks down the fundamental constitutional tensions playing out in real time and explains what’s at stake in our current moment.
Why Asha Rangappa:
- Asha is known for her articulate communication style and the ability to break down complex issues for diverse audiences.
- Her experience as a commentator for CNN and other major media outlets showcases her skill in providing expert analysis on current events.
- Audiences appreciate her engaging and personable approach, making her a sought-after speaker at various prestigious events.
Testimonials
I wanted to reach out, and Thank You for speaking at our AP Dallas Event. We have received great feedback from our donors - they loved your keynote speech! They also appreciated your patience during the reception will all the photo requests 🙂
~ Teju S.
I attended the Connecticut Bar Association Annual Meeting this past June, and I was incredibly impressed by your speech. The information, observations and insight you conveyed was brand new to me and I am convinced is critical for more people to understand or at least consider.
~ Christine Antonellis N.
Ethics is a subject that must be part of us at every step and the reflection of our actions. The ideas on how to detect or profile different behaviors were really helpful. Building organizations that remain ethical and strengthen the values of a society over time, I firmly believe that this is one of the
foundations for building better communities in the future.
~ Participant, Yale Global Executive Leader Program
The one speaker that stood out above the others was Asha Rangappa. The command of her subject matter and her delivery were some of the best by a speaker I have ever seen at similar conferences. She speaks with such confidence and it is obvious that she has an in-depth knowledge about the subject. Also, talking about narcissists and sociopaths at this moment, was very timely when one considers the current political situation and the characteristics of each of those traits.
I also marvelled at the comfort level of Asha in delivering her talk. She was able to inject humour into what could have been a less than entertaining talk. She brought the topic to life.
~ Chris P., O.Ont, LSM, Paliare Roland Rosenberg Rothstein LLP
As an attendee at the talk on political corruption by Asha Rangappa, and as a Trustee of the Museum of Political Corruption, I found her talk insightful and helpful. Delivered in Albany, New York early in the second Trump term, it was helpful to see her analysis of how totalitarian governments grow and then function. Seeing their common characteristics was helpful in understanding what is happening in the United States, and in providing strategies on how to protect our democracy from them. Her presentation style effectively employed both academic analysis and humor, speaking and graphics. I was glad to be in attendance.
~ Gregory Bell, MPC Board member
I attended your talk at the Yale Club and had wanted to reach out. I was fascinated by the graphs you shared in your talk (and loved the references to Putnam!).
~ Apsara A. I.
I very much enjoyed the historical perspective and relevance of your keynote speech. It seems that this threat to our institution, as amplified via social media, is often thought of as a recent phenomenon. I would like to have my family and friends consider the broader view that you presented. And, I’d like to read it again myself for a better retention.
~ Daniel B. G.
Great conversation on what good and bad behavior is. Really helpful to see this play out in life to help create a framework for what to do.
~ Participant, Yale Global Executive Leader Program
This was the most interesting talk I have attended at Yale.
Thank you, Wendy!
~ Elizabeth D., Participant, Intel Brief
Asha Rangappa’s talk, The Mechanics of Complicity, was engaging, accessible, and perfectly suited for our diverse audience of students and community members. Drawing on compelling case studies, her presentation revealed striking parallels with the present. Inspiring and thought-provoking, Asha’s talk broadened our understanding of our own potential to promote ethical governance. For any audience interested in civic responsibility and social justice, her message is both powerful and essential. Indeed, at a time when civic engagement seems more important than ever, Asha’s talk truly met the moment.
~ Bruce C. Roter, Ph.D., President, The Museum of Political Corruption
Asha’s presentation last night was really fantastic.
Her topic alone was interesting but the way she presented the material was objective, reasoned, and clearly manifested her experience in the subject matter.
I really thought this was one of the better ‘peace and justice’ speakers I have seen in quite a while.
~ Marc M., Green Bay, WI
Thank you so much for inviting us to your Mauthe Center event last night. Asha's presentation was the best and most meaningful thing I've heard in maybe a decade…
It was a great evening of friends, new connections, good food, and intellectual discourse all in the name of preserving democracy.
~ Jess A., Green Bay, WI
