Rami Elghandour
Builder · Storyteller · Advocate
Engineer turned two-time CEO. Cancer-fighter, filmmaker, and an unwavering advocate for a more just world.
The Work
Three threads — science, story, and justice — woven through one career.
Building companies that change how the world treats disease.
As Chairman & CEO, Rami scaled Arcellx from an early-stage startup into a commercial-ready company built around anito-cel — a breakthrough cell therapy for multiple myeloma — culminating in its $7.8B acquisition by Gilead. Earlier, as President & CEO of Nevro, he grew the company from 30 people to nearly 1,000 and into a multibillion-dollar public medtech leader.
Giving a voice to the voiceless on the world's biggest stage.
Rami is an executive producer on award-winning films that break through propaganda to show reality — including the Oscar-nominated “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” “American Doctor” (Sundance 2025), and “Palestine 36.” For him, film is humanitarian advocacy: a way to make sure the world sees that the people in these stories are no different from us.
Equity, justice, and the courage to speak up.
A TEDx speaker on unconscious bias and a recognized voice on gender equity, Rami builds teams that prove diversity is a winning formula — and serves on the board of Room to Read, advancing girls' education and literacy across 31 countries. He speaks and writes openly on social justice, free speech, and human rights.
Media
Talks & interviews
Why Bias — not Behavior or Ability — is Holding Women Back
There are more CEOs named David than there are female CEOs. Rami's TEDx talk on unconscious bias and why diversity powers performance.
Watch ↗
Rutgers Engineering, Class of 2026
Invited to deliver the engineering convocation address at his alma mater, then disinvited over his advocacy for Palestine — a decision condemned by Rutgers faculty unions. Rami recorded and delivered the full speech anyway, on his own terms.
Watch ↗Writing
Essays & ideas
Tickertape for the Team-Building Power of Friendship
How the Knicks ended a 53-year wait — and what their chemistry teaches us about building winning teams.
Read ↗Rutgers Canceled Me as a Graduation Speaker Because of My Advocacy for Palestine
Unable to challenge me on the facts, the institution stifled my speech instead — a firsthand account of viewpoint discrimination and the Palestine exception.
Read ↗What Would Superman Do?
Amid rising authoritarianism, the erosion of journalism, and a live-streamed genocide — a reflection on moral courage and choosing to act.
Read ↗The Power of Love
Lessons from his mother's life — on belief, bravery, and treating people well — and the legacy she left behind.
Read ↗The Last Bastion of Racism in America
How Zohran Mamdani's campaign exposed the acceptable face of anti-Muslim bigotry — and the “Palestine exception” to free speech.
Read ↗Ace Your Interview: Top 10 Questions to Ask
The questions that help you learn more, impress your interviewer, and find a great work environment.
Read ↗