Meet The Team Behind Kruu
A community that believes the future lies in empowering the next generation to be creative thinkers.
Leadership at Kruu
We make Kruu possible by partnering with some of the greatest minds in the world.
Prof Anil Srinivasan
‘Kalaimamani’ Anil Srinivasan is one of India’s most renowned musicians. With an M.Phil from Columbia University and a strong background in cognitive neuroscience, Anil has been spearheading a revolution in Creative Intelligence through Rhapsody, founded by him in 2013. Rhapsody currently reaches over 477 schools in South India as the first in-curriculum Art Integration and Creative Intelligence program. Rhapsody was ranked #1 worldwide in ‘Innovation in Learning’ by ReImagine Education – an initiative of Wharton Learning Labs in 2021. Kruu, his brainchild, was founded in 2022 to further his mission of transforming education through creativity and experiential learning. As a philanthropist and changemaker, he is an Aspen Global Leader and actively involved in various community initiatives and social work. He also serves as an Associate Professor of Practice at Krea University, specializing in design thinking & interdisciplinary arts.
Our Board of Advisors
Sarah Friar
CFO of OpenAI
Sarah Friar is a distinguished Irish-American business executive renowned for her leadership in the technology and financial sectors.
In June 2024, she became the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of OpenAI, bringing her extensive experience to the forefront of artificial intelligence research and development.
Sarah’s earlier career includes positions such as Senior Vice President of Finance & Strategy at Salesforce, and roles at Goldman Sachs and McKinsey & Company in London and South Africa.
Her academic credentials include a Master of Engineering in Metallurgy, Economics, and Management from the University of Oxford, and an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business, where she was an Arjay Miller scholar.
Ashwin Damera
CEO, Eruditus & Emeritus
Ashwin Damera is the Co-Founder and CEO of Eruditus Executive Education, a global leader in executive education programs. He previously founded Travelguru, an Indian travel booking platform, which was acquired by Travelocity in 2009.
A Harvard MBA graduate and Chartered Accountant, Ashwin began his career as a Portfolio Risk Manager at Citibank before venturing into entrepreneurship. Under his leadership, Eruditus became a unicorn in 2021, securing funding from Sequoia, Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative, and Prosus, and expanding into K-12 education with iD Tech. He is also an angel investor and startup advisor.
Ashwin has been recognized for his contributions to EdTech, with Eruditus winning Best Education Start-up of the Year by Entrepreneur India.
Nyrika Holkar
Executive Director Godrej & Boyce
Nyrika Holkar, a fourth-generation leader of the Godrej family, is the Executive Director of Godrej & Boyce (G&B). A lawyer and qualified solicitor, she oversees Digital Strategy, Brand, Legal, and M&A, driving innovation, sustainability, and customer-centric digital transformation across the company’s businesses.
She played a key role in the Godrej family settlement agreement, leading strategy and negotiations, and has streamlined financial, risk, and IP management at G&B. She also chairs the company’s CSR and Sustainability Council, serves on the boards of Godrej Infotech and UWC India, and actively promotes collaborative innovation and responsible business practices.
Recognized for her leadership, she was featured in Fortune India’s Most Powerful Women 2024.
Sidd Jayanty
COO, US Tech Solutions & CRO, SimplifyVMS
Siddharth “Sidd” Jayanty is a seasoned executive, investor, and board member with extensive experience in operations, revenue management, and venture capital. He currently serves as Chief Operating Officer at US Tech Solutions and Chief Revenue Officer at SimplifyVMS.
Previously, Sidd was Director of the Operating Group at SoftBank Investment Advisers, where he led B2B value creation for portfolio companies and served on the Board of Collective Health.
Academically, Sidd holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Operations and Information Management from The Wharton School and a B.S. in Statistics from Loyola College. He is also an active angel investor, focusing on professional services and fintech, and a dedicated philanthropist, supporting educational initiatives.
Dr Vish Krishnan
Professor and Chair, University of California
His work with Dell Computer was documented as a Harvard Business School case study, and his collaboration with 3M was featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal.
He has been named Most Valuable Professor four times and has taught at MIT and Harvard. He earned his doctoral degree from MIT and actively advises startups and global companies in advancing innovation and entrepreneurship.
S.V. Krishnamurthy
Serial Entrepreneur, Advisor , Mentor , Independent Director with a passion to help startups
S V Krishnamurthy is a serial entrepreneur, advisor, mentor, and independent director with deep expertise in startup growth, strategic execution, and investments. He is the Founder & Managing Director of Prospient Solutions Pvt Ltd, a key leader at Keiretsu Forum Chennai, and an active contributor to TiE Chennai, supporting entrepreneurs through mentorship and funding networks.
With decades of experience, Krishnamurthy has played a pivotal role in nurturing startups and fostering innovation, guiding businesses across various industries. His strategic insights and leadership continue to shape the entrepreneurial ecosystem in India and beyond.
Ready to work together? Join with us today.
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