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Michele Rigby Assad

Former CIA Intelligence Officer; Counterterrorism & Middle East Expert

Michele Rigby Assad is a former undercover officer in the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency’s Directorate of Operations. Trained as a counterterrorism specialist, Michele served her country for ten years, working in Iraq and other secret Middle Eastern locations. Michele's keynotes are wildly fascinating, memorable, and absolutely life changing.

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Bio

Michele began service in the CIA in January 2002 and spent a decade serving as an undercover intelligence officer in the Directorate of Operations. Specializing in counterterrorism, counterintelligence and lie detection, Michele spent the majority of her career in the Middle East. She had five overseas tours, to include Iraq and other secret locations. She's traveled to 55 countries.

Since leaving the CIA, Michele and her husband Joseph have run an international consulting firm that provides support to Western and not-native companies working in the Arabian Gulf and the wider Middle East.

Michele is a master storyteller that excels in connecting with audiences. She seeks to understand each group’s composition, strengths, challenges, and organizers’ expectations to deliver outstanding, bespoke presentations that stick with the attendees far after the conclusion of the event.

Her bestselling book Breaking Cover: My Secret Life in the CIA and What it Taught Me About What’s Worth Fighting For, was published in February 2018 (Tyndale Momentum). Her second book Get Off the X: CIA Secrets for Conquering Obstacles and Achieving Your Life’s Mission was published January 2025 (Dexterity).

Michele holds a master’s degree in Contemporary Arab Studies from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and a political science degree from Palm Beach Atlantic University. She and her husband, Joseph, live in Central Florida.

Keynotes

Featured Keynote

  • What Dealing with Terrorists Taught Me About Sales, Unconscious Bias, and Hidden Strengths
  • The POWER of PERSEVERANCE: Lessons from the CIA to maintain your FOCUS and sustain your MOMENTUM during times of change
  • Get Off the X: Get the Inspiration You Need to Survive and Thrive

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