Home: New York City and Greenwich, CT. Profession: Tech-enabled coaching platform. Organization: ideamix. Title: Founder and CEO. Alma mater: Harvard University, Harvard Business School. Languages spoken: English and Spanish.
Current project: Helping every individual unlock their own success through coaching at ideamix. Recent recognition: Hearing from a few ideamix clients – each of different ages and life stages - that their coaching experience was transformational. That’s how I know I’m doing something right. Latest contribution to others: Joining the Board of the Park Avenue Armory, the leading arts and arts education institution in New York City. Hobbies: Tennis, skiing, traveling to new places with my family, my own version of TM. Last book read: Cloud Cuckoo Land, by Anthony Doerr.
Personality profile: Analytical, extroverted, calm, balanced, loving, resilient. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Determined. Moral compass: The greatest good for the greatest number. What gets you excited every morning? An opportunity to help and impact our clients, my colleagues, and my family. What is your greatest fear? However irrational, cockroaches. The bigger they are, the scarier I find them. What drives you crazy? Arrogance and/or entitlement. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Living a new experience. What is at the top of your bucket list? Bhutan. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Culture plus rest.
What was your favorite college course? Justice, taught by Professor Michael Sandel. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? Monopoly. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Wedding Crashers. Cracks me up every time. What’s the best advice you received growing up? From those who are blessed with privilege, much is expected. What modern technology innovation do you least appreciate? Social media platforms. What is your go-to source of news and information? BBC News, Financial Times, NY Post, Daily Mail. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? Reading a wide variety and a mix of non-fiction and fiction.
What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Losing my parents and brother at 12 in an airplane crash, which precipitated a move to India to live with extended family, along with my dog and childhood caregiver.
What is your big idea?
Success comes from a learning mindset – coaching creates a flywheel of unlocking ourselves with constant learning.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? Helping people understand coaching is the power tool for individuals and organizations to ensure our best performance as individuals, as teams, as leaders, and as organizations. What change would you like to see in the world? Voting made mandatory for all citizens of liberal democracies, so every individual understands and fulfils their civic responsibility. I’d also like to see term limits on every elected position in every liberal democracy. What mega-trend most concerns you? The inability of so many members of our societies to agree on what is fact versus fiction.
What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Alicia Vikander. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? An astronaut. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? My dachshunds. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my family, at home, skiing and having a laugh over a home cooked meal. What advice would you give your younger self? Focus on the journey and the goal will be illuminated. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? The last day I spent with my parents and brother.
Personal mission: Make sure to enjoy the lighter side of life in the sea of seriousness. Personal motto: Never ask someone to do something you would not do yourself. Most strongly held belief: It ain’t over till it’s over. Favorite quote: “If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not taking enough risk” (Frederic Fekkai on ideamix radio). Desired epitaph: Loved, laughed and strived for better.
