Understood.org is excited to welcome Rahul Rao as the organization’s new co-president and chief technology officer. 

With expertise and a successful track record in product development and new technology integration, Rao also brings an inherent passion for innovation that will help co-presidents Nathan Friedman and Jenny Wu shape the organization’s growth strategy and longer-term product ambitions. Rao will play a direct role in leading, supporting, and evolving engineering, data, analytics, office technology, and business operations functions at Understood.org.

“Understood is an organization that’s rooted in curiosity, empathy, and a desire to meet people where they’re at,” said Rao. “I’m inspired by this team’s commitment and unique approach to driving positive behavior change. Together, we’ll continue to build and hone the tools and experiences neurodivergent people need to help them shape their own lives — and the world — for difference.”

Rao started his career as an employee at a software firm, which gave him the unique opportunity to architect and launch multiple products across a variety of companies and markets. It also provided him with the understanding and context he needed to learn how to take products to the next level and through multiple iterations, which is exactly what he’s done for a variety of companies over the years. His expertise includes creating new product lines and growing engineering, data, IT, and security teams; scaling and driving product development; and leading internal enterprise-wide developer operations teams.

“Rahul’s enthusiasm shines through in everything he does — from his unwavering focus on users’ needs, to his problem-solving skills, to his team leadership and development,” said Jenny Wu, co-president and chief product officer. “He brings incredible knowledge that will not only help Understood.org continue to innovate, but also ensure our products help people thrive at all points of life.”

Currently, Understood.org offers a variety of products to help people anticipate the barriers that come with neurodiversity, so that they can confidently and competently address them. From Take N.O.T.E. — a step-by-step tool to help parents spot signs of learning and thinking differences in their children, to the Understood Podcast Network, to our e-zine, for/by, Rao will support the growth of existing and new digital experiences on the way.

Rao is based in Brooklyn, New York. To learn more about Rao and Understood.org, visit https://mediacenter.understood.org/. For interest in interviews, contact media@understood.org.