RUSSELL SHILLING, Ph.D.

SHILLING FORGE CONSULTING, LLC
FORGING HUMAN POTENTIAL
THROUGH INNOVATION

Transforming organizations through artificial intelligence, extended reality, and innovative technology strategies. Expert guidance from a former DARPA program officer with 25+ years advancing psychological health, education, and neurodiversity initiatives.

Russell Shilling, Ph.D., innovation advisor specializing in AI, XR, and neurodiversity
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About Russell Shilling

Strategic Advisor | Former DARPA Program Officer
Navy Captain (Ret.) TS/SCI (Former) $100M+ Programs Multisector Collaborations

Professional Experience and Services

Experience & Impact

A seasoned executive and policy innovator with 25+ years creating and managing multi-million dollar technology innovation programs in psychological health and education. Expertise in cross-sector collaboration with philanthropy, nonprofits, government, and startups.

  • Navy Aerospace Experimental Psychologist — Retired Navy CAPT trained in aeromedical R&D and aviation human factors
  • DARPA Program Officer — Pioneered psychological health AI agents and STEM education innovation programs ($60M+)
  • Office of Naval Research — Led first military VR therapy for PTSD, now in 70+ clinics worldwide
  • Game DevelopmentAmerica's Army (10M+ users), current Roblox projects with Sesame Street and Project Lead the Way
  • Presidential Appointee — Created first Office of STEM at U.S. Department of Education, 200+ partnerships
  • Chief Science Officer — American Psychological Association (118,000 members)
  • EVP Research — Riiid Labs ($175M SoftBank-funded AI education startup)
  • Sesame Workshop — $10M+ military family programs, 5.3M resources, multiple media awards
  • Medical & Science Advisory CommitteeAutism Speaks, technology policy and innovation
  • Digital Promise — Innovation Fellow creating $50M AERDF fund

How I Can Help

Strategic Advisory

Long-term R&D strategy, organizational transformation, cross-sector innovation in education, behavioral health, and autism

Speaking & Workshops

Keynotes on AI, neurodiversity, emerging tech, innovation techniques, leadership, games, virtual reality, and AI policy

Project Consulting

Technology assessment, program design, policy development, games, virtual reality, conversational agents, and research

Featured Speaking & Media

Dr. Russell Shilling discussing AI, autism, and educational technology on AI Optimist Podcast

AI Optimist Podcast with Skip Rizzo — AI, Autism, & EdTech

Exploring AI, neurodiversity, VR therapy, and how innovation scales through public service and partnerships.

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Russell Shilling speaking at United Nations AutismTech 2025 panel on inclusive technology policy

United Nations — AutismTech 2025

Policy and innovation strategies for inclusive tech in global neurodiversity and disability ecosystems.

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Dr. Shilling moderating Games for Change panel on strategic partnerships in social impact gaming

Games for Change: Strategic Partnerships for Social Good in Gaming

Moderating a panel on games for diabetes support and child motor therapy—how small teams spark big change.

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Captain Russell Shilling Navy retirement video featuring Sesame Street character Murray

CAPT Russ and Murray Retirement Video

When you retire from the U.S. Navy after 22 years — including time at DARPA — you don't expect Sesame Street to make you the star of your own farewell sketch.

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