Kintsugi Insider Interview: Naresh Shanker

Today we are thrilled to profile a new esteemed leader of ours–Naresh Shanker–who recently joined our team as an Advisor. Naresh shares more about his journey, why he joined the Kintsugi team, and what he’s most excited about for the future of our company. 

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Naresh is a dedicated executive with 30+ years of experience leading strategic decision-making and execution across diverse industries including healthcare and life sciences, semiconductors, hi-tech manufacturing and precision instrumentation, consumer electronics, print and imaging technologies. Currently the Founder & Managing Director at Menlo Park Advisors, Naresh has held a number of leadership roles, including the Chief Technology Officer at Xerox, President and CEO of PARC, Chief Information Officer at HP, and held several board positions at transformative organizations like Devo, Clarizen and Cylance, Inc. to name a few.  

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Naresh attended the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, pursuing degrees in both Computer Science for undergrad and Business at the graduate level. “The intersection of tech and business is the foundation of my problem-solving skills and fuels my growth and the growth of the companies I’ve worked for,” Naresh describes on his approach to problem-solving.

"Naresh Shanker’s wealth of experience and commitment to transformative innovation aligns seamlessly with our team culture here at Kintsugi. Naresh has already brought tremendous value to our organization, and I could not be more excited to have a visionary partner  to propel our growth."

Grace Chang, Founder/CEO Kintsugi

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We’re so excited to have you here. Why did you decide to join Kintsugi? 

I’m honored to be here. The mission to enhance mental health through the power of AI is what drew me to Kintsugi. The prospect of making a tangible difference in people's lives aligns with my values and aspirations.

I believe Kintsugi offers a unique opportunity to gain experience in a purpose-built company dedicated to tackling significant challenges head-on. It's an environment where your work directly contributes to solving real-world problems—a rare and fulfilling experience.

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You’ve been a part of the team for a few months now. How has it been so far and what has surprised you the most about Kintsugi? 

At Kintsugi, I engage in projects that propel teams towards their market and value objectives at an accelerated pace. It's about enabling efficiency without compromising quality—a dynamic challenge I thrive on.

The most surprising and invigorating aspect of Kintsugi has been the profound sense of unity and passion that seems to permeate every corner of the organization, across all roles and teams. The collective dedication towards advancing the mission to enhance mental health and wellness feels like an unstoppable force, igniting an inspiring energy that fuels every project and interaction. It's incredibly motivating to witness how everyone here is genuinely committed to making a meaningful impact, and that shared drive has been a delightful surprise.

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What do you hope to impart upon the team? 

My advice echoes a simple truth: outcomes matter. Stay committed to the end goal, and each step you take will lead you closer to making a difference.

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In 3 words, how would you describe the Kintsugi culture? 

Visionary, dedicated, and collaborative.

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Fun Fact? 

My secret recipe for staying grounded in this fast-paced world: hiking through nature's wonders and restoration through the practice of yoga. 

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Kintsugi is on a mission to scale access to mental healthcare with world-class leaders who represent the makeup of the people we serve. With significant leadership and technical expertise in building and scaling successful companies, we are beyond thrilled to have Naresh join our team as a thought leader and partner to accelerate our vision for improving access to mental healthcare. 

A fast-growing Berkeley-based mental health startup, we are scaling up and hiring for various roles. Check out our Careers Page.