Home: Northern Westchester, New York. Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois. Profession: Asset management. Organization: American Century Investments. Title: VP, Corporate Strategy. Preferred pronouns: She/Her/Hers. Significant other: Srinivas Patri, my husband. Identifies as: 100% American and 100% Indian. My family immigrated to the US from Kerala, India. Languages spoken: English, Malayalam, and un pocito Espanol.
Current project: Hosting a podcast series for the CFA Institute called “My Charter Story”. Recent professional development: MMI Executive IQ program, an executive-level professional accelerator partnering with University of Virginia Darden School of Business. Latest contribution to others: I strive to be an ally to others by using my platforms and my privilege to call out inequities when I see them. What’s been your big (or biggest) leap? Probably cutting out meat completely from my diet and going plant-based. Recent travel or adventure: Just returned from from an amazing plant-based wellness retreat on a beach in Mexico. Last book read: Bright Burning Things, by Lisa Harding. A beach read, for sure! Recent unique acquisition: I am beyond thrilled to live in a house in a country setting, with lots of fresh air and space for my kids to roam.
Personality profile: Classic introvert, perfectionist, activist. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Honest. Moral compass: Never exploit other living things or the planet we live on. There is no hierarchy of human beings. I love the “leave no trace” awareness and principles. How do you define a perfect friendship? The ability to bounce back even more resilient from an argument or disagreement. How do you define an ideal business relationship? An ideal business relationship is a personal one. Respect each other by finding out who your business partners are and what they care about. What is your greatest joy? My husband and my kids bring me the greatest joy I’ve ever experienced. What is your greatest fear? Not being the parent my kids need. I work on myself to constantly improve. What natural talent have you neglected? Writing. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Healthcare workers, especially nurses. I also admire entrepreneurs for being bravely committed to their own special projects. What is at the top of your bucket list? Writing a book. How do you relieve stress? Sound meditation. What is your go-to workout? Resistance training. There is nothing in the world more satisfying than doing a set of deadlifts.
What book have you repeatedly read? Where the Sidewalk Ends, by Shel Silverstein. What’s featured prominently on your home or office wall? My daughter’s artwork. She’s very talented and creative. Who has had the greatest influence on your life? My parents, my husband and my children, each in very different ways. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Voice activation is a time saver. What is your favorite app? Calm. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? 9/11, because I was in downtown Brooklyn when it happened; the murder of George Floyd; the pandemic. What company or organization do you most admire? B-corps that go the extra mile to be dedicated to their stakeholders.
What is your big idea?
Impact investing, unleashing the power of capital for good.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? I would love to see more diversity and impact investing in asset management. We can change the world. What change would you like to see in the world? Too much to list. We need to reconcile our violent pasts, no matter which side we were on. We need to be anti-racist. We need to consume less meat (or no meat) and live more sustainably, in an effort to reverse the damage we have done to ourselves and the planet. What widely held belief do you reject? That gender is binary. What mega-trend most concerns you? The rise of unregulated social media. It’s addictive and harmful to people of all ages.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Crease (based on a poem I wrote). What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Melanie Chandra (she’s Malayali, like me). As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A flight attendant. I loved absolutely everything about traveling. What advice would you give your younger self? Go to therapy, you’re not superhuman.
Personal mission: Live more authentically and change more lives for the better. Personal motto: #progressoverperfection #businessispersonal, “not a single creature on earth has more or less right to be here”. Favorite quote: "Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me... Anything can happen, child. Anything can be” (Shel Silverstein, poet, songwriter, musician).
