Overview

First-generation born and raised in the US, my parents emigrated from India and landed in Michigan. I consider my Uncle Louis to be the founder of the family, as he was the first to leave India in 1966. Like many other immigrant families, we had a modest upbringing. My parents worked hard across multiple jobs and day/night shifts to ensure my brother and I were fed, clothed, sheltered, and educated. Those experiences growing up in the midwest shaped my values today. We didn't buy anything unless it was on sale (and we had a coupon). We lived the virtue that it's better to want the things you have, than to have the things you want.

I didn't really appreciate how much that childhood influenced me until my wife and I had our first child ourselves, and I came to appreciate the often invisible sacrifices parents make for their kids. For me, being a parent is the most selfless experience in the world, and it’s also the most gratifying.

I applied to a single college, and I was fortunate (lucky?) to be admitted to the University of Michigan. I earned my master's of science and bachelor's of science in engineering from U-M and had five wonderful years in Ann Arbor. I had such a great time, I wrote a book about the experience in an effort to help others.

During my college years, I had three internships at General Motors. My first, when I finished high school, was on the 100-degree factory floor in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Between heat treat and the stamping press, it probably took a few years off of my life. Not to mention some disagreements with the union, which wasn’t very happy with my putting tape on the floor (apparently, it’s a painter’s job). During my third summer at GM in 2007, I had a mentor who told me: “Brian, try to get out of the auto industry. Get out of Michigan. Have some new experiences.” I took that advice and am fortunate I made it out before the 2008 great recession and auto bailouts.

My full-time career began as a consultant at McKinsey & Company, based in Los Angeles but mostly living out of a suitcase (300K miles in two years!). I had fantastic experiences working in health care, pharmaceuticals, aerospace & defense, public sector, transport and trucking, and more.

I joined LinkedIn in 2012 on the Business Operations team, focused on product strategy and growth. Joining a fast-paced, mission-driven tech company was the best thing I could have done for my career. But I almost didn't get hired. I wore a full suit and tie to the interview. "He's probably not a culture fit", the VP of the group recounted years later. But fortunately they gave me an opportunity and I didn't let them down.

After being admitted to the Stanford Graduate School of Business MBA class of 2016 (and paying my deposit to secure enrollment), I received an offer to become chief of staff to the CEO of LinkedIn. I realized that's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I thought about Jeff Bezos's regret minimization framework, and figured I could always get an MBA later. I took the role and the rest is history.

Currently Managing Director of Next Play Ventures with Jeff Weiner, where I am focused on coaching and investing in early-stage startups.

Previously, I was VP and Chief of Staff at LinkedIn, was proud to serve on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula, was a Fellow of On Deck (ODA3 and ODLB1), and was a Fellow of the Aspen Institute First Movers.

My mission is to compound wisdom, trust, and love.

I believe the value of wisdom, trust, and love can compound over time.

The more wisdom, trust, and love I give to others, the more I receive in return. That they return is not the reason I give in the first place, but it is highly positive reinforcement. There is a deeply virtuous cycle to all three of these elements, because they are all rooted in service to others. And serving others is what I enjoy and do well, so for me it all efficiently coheres.