Home: Portola Valley, CA. Age: 50. Birthplace: India. Profession: Software. Organization: Asana. Title: Head of Core Engineering. Pronouns: He/Him. Alma mater: State University of New York, Binghamton. Languages spoken: English and Hindi.
Current project: Learning more about AI. Recent recognition: Top 25 Software Executives. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Driving a major re-architecture. Hobbies: Film, literature, music; kettlebells, snowboarding. Recent travel or adventure: Iceland during the wintertime. Last book read: Spring Snow, by Yukio Mishima. Recently viewed and recommended: Anatomy of a Fall. Recent unique acquisition: Tesla Model Y.
Personality profile: INFP, trusting, curious, reflective. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Passionate. Moral compass: Think before acting. How do you define a perfect friendship? Supportive and intellectually stimulating. How do you define an ideal business relationship? Just the same. What is your greatest joy? Seeing my kids grow up. What is your greatest fear? Not being able to provide for my kids. What is your guilty pleasure? The Big Lebowski. What word or phrase do you use far too often? If you think about it. What natural talent have you neglected? Public speaking. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Creating things with your hands, for example, farming, woodworking, rebuilding cars. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Japan. What is at the top of your bucket list? Take a ten day silent meditation retreat. How do you relieve stress? Watch a movie. What is your go-to workout? Kettlebells. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Being in nature.
What was your first paying job? Microsoft. What was your favorite college course? Digital Communications Systems. What book have you repeatedly read? Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Chungking Express. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? A signed poster by my team when I left Microsoft in 2011. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My friend, mentor and manager, Gurdeep Singh Pall. What’s the best advice you received growing up? This too shall pass. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Music and movie streaming. What is your favorite app? New York Times Games. What is your go-to source of news and information? X. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Reading. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? The birth of my kids.
What change would you like to see in the world?
A safe, supportive world for children.
What message do you want to send out into the world? Take pride in your work. What mega-trend most excites you? AI. What mega-trend most concerns you? AI.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Confusion and Clarity. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? John Cusack. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? The Buddha, or my father. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A scientist. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? A photo of my father. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Having an excellent meal with my family. What advice would you give your younger self? Take more risks earlier in your life. Don’t worry about other people’s opinion. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? A dinner with my father in summer 2002. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? Mid-to-late twenties.
Personal mission: Raise great kids. Personal motto: Chin up. Favorite quote: “If…” by Rudyard Kipling. Desired epitaph: Despite his faults, he did his best.
