Adhithyan R. Krishnan
I am a dynamic and dedicated innovator who is committed to excellence in quality, service, and strategy.
I tackle challenges with enthusiasm, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of success. My journey has led to diverse opportunities, unique experiences, and strong relationships. Dive deeper into my story or reach out to connect.
Click the button below to download my CV, or scroll down for a more in-depth look into my career journey thus far.
Career Journey
Work History
Lead Strategist & Product Manager
AK Aveksha
Washington, DC & Westborough, MA
2016 - Present
Responsible for product development & launch, branding, marketing strategy & execution, advertising, content design & creation, project management, initiatives & directives, budgeting, financial projections, lean operations, manufacturing, procurement, inventory, lead generation, sales strategy, stakeholder management, customer acquisition & retention, customer service, high-profile client management, public relations, government relations, strategic communications, negotiations, vendor management, efficient & effective problem-solving, sustainability, corporate social responsibility, strategic partnerships, web development & maintenance, and POS.
I built and managed a high-performing executive team, contractors, and interns in this role. I also gained extensive experience preparing presentations and leading meetings.
Under my leadership, AK Aveksha grew from 20% to 85% gross margin profits from 2016 - 2022. We also achieved a 300% increase in revenue from 2020 - 2023. In my role, I sustained consistent and exponential growth of our customer base, vetted internal & external opportunities, and implemented efficient cost-saving strategies while improving product and service quality.
AK Aveksha was accepted into the American University Center for Innovation Business Incubator in 2022. On their behalf, I spoke on various panels, judged competitions, and presented at the Don Myers' Technology & Innovation Center.
Mentor
Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship
American University, Washington, DC
2024 - Current
As a member of the AUCI Incubator program and alumnus of the Kogod School of Business, I am proud to now serve as a Mentor to the next generation of entrepreneurs.
My main responsibility in this role is to work directly and consistently (approx. 6 hours/semester/mentee) with two to three incoming Incubator members to provide insight and guidance on building their businesses.
Additionally, I have been invited to participate as a speaker, panelist, or judge in events conducted at the Veloric Center.
I am honored to contribute to such a wonderful program designed to enrich the innovators of the future at American University.
Event Manager & Trainee Ayurvedic Doctor
Ayurvedic Research & Training Institute (ARTI)
Svasthyakshetram Ayurvedic Health Care Centre (AHCC)
Nallepilly, Palakkad, Kerala, India
2023 - 2024
In 2023 I took a step back from business as usual to continue pursuing my passion for Ayurveda. This led me to Svasthyakshetram Ayurvedic Health Care Centre (AHCC) and the Ayurvedic Research & Training Insitute (ARTI) in Nallepilly, Kerala where I met my Guru Dr. N.V. Sreevaths.
After three months of training, I earned a unique opportunity to work for the health care center. This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to recenter my mind, strengthen my health, upskill, and prepare myself to rejoin the workforce upon my return to the States.
As a Trainee Ayurvedic Doctor, I interacted with diverse groups of patients of all ages, took case histories, conducted medical evaluations & physical investigations, analyzed medicines & reports, oversaw & conducted Ayurvedic treatments including Marma massage and Pancha Karma, and managed patient follow-up. I also had the opportunity to regularly take on night duty.
As the ARTI Event Manager, I planned, marketed, and executed workshops, seminars, and training events at the academy. In this role, I became adept at event logistics, process management, lean budget management, public speaking, documentation, relevant content creation, and cross-cultural communications.
Business Development Associate
Institutional Shareholder Services (Corporate)
Rockville, MD
2018 - 2019
As a BDR at ISS Corporate, I generated qualified leads for the executive sales team in the corporate governance and sustainability sectors.
In this role, I interfaced with executives in various Fortune 500 and Fortune 1,000 companies to convince them why it was important for them to meet with their assigned account managers at ISS.
I earned recognition as the highest-earning and most successful BDR in our office due to my sales pitch, market research skills, ability to build strong relationships, and client acquisition & retention strategies. I also had the opportunity to train the next batch of BDRs, ensuring their success prior to exiting the role.
In the first 6 months, I created over 5,500 qualified leads for the account management team. This resulted in a 350% growth in quarterly sales for the corporate division team.
In my time at ISS, I improved my grasp of sales, cold calling, business pipeline development, lead generation, SRM (Salesforce), Yahoo Finance, Google Finance, Bloomberg, market research, client management, relationship building, leadership, team training, presentation creation & delivery, content creation, time management, strategic communications, and corporate relations.
Marketing & Customer Development Manager
Storganize
Washington, DC & Rockville, MD
2015 - 2018
Upon completion of my internship, I was offered a position at Storganize as the Marketing & Customer Development Manager. In this role, I was responsible for setting and overseeing marketing goals, customer acquisition & retention, strategic communications with local universities, branding, content creation, advertising, budgeting, hiring, creating presentations, reporting to the executive team, and managing teams of 20-25 interns per semester.
We worked in a high-performance and fast-paced environment where crucial day-to-day decisions impacted the company's future. Supported by great leadership from the executive team, I achieved a 275% increase in customer retention from 2015 - 2017.
Two unique opportunities in this role especially enriched my experience: the responsibility of managing and directing medium to large diverse teams of interns, and the flexibility granted to implement creative and data-driven marketing strategies.
I am proud to maintain communications with the executive team at Storganize, whom I regard dearly as great leaders and even better mentors to me in my career.
Marketing Intern
Storganize
Remote - Washington, DC
Summer, 2015
In the summer of 2015, I encountered a fantastic opportunity to work as a summer intern for Storganize, an innovative moving and storage company based in the DMV. The founders were alumni of American University and had spoken about their experience as entrepreneurs in our Business 1.0 class.
As a marketing intern, I conducted market research, canvassing, operations flow analytics, SWOT analysis, business development, cold calls, and competitor analysis.
My efficiency and work ethic later earned me a position in management upon completion of my internship.
Business 101 Teacher Assistant
Kogod School of Business
American University
Washington, DC
2015 - 2017
As a teacher assistant at the Kogod School of Business, I was responsible for facilitating classwork & lectures, organizing relevant schedules, grading assignments, leading study sessions, corresponding with professors in the department, and holding office hours for students.
In this role, I improved my organization and communication skills to effectively guide diverse groups of students with varied interests. I also gained a deeper insight into the work behind the scenes of academics.
Bank Teller
Central One Federal Credit Union
Westborough, Auburn & Shrewsbury, MA
2013 - 2015
Upon completing my term as a high school teller, I was offered a part-time job in the main branch at Westborough COFCU. My responsibilities evolved to handling larger accounts, more complicated transactions, and a wider demographic of customers.
Throughout my career at COFCU, I was privileged to work at the Auburn branch and the head office in Shrewsbury. Each location had unique teams and served diverse customers. Good leaders who served as great mentors made my transition to each new branch smooth and seamless.
Student/Intern Bank Teller
Central One Federal Credit Union
Westborough, Auburn & Shrewsbury, MA
2013
I was hired as the first high school teller intern at Central One Federal Credit Union (COFCU). This was a new initiative designed to improve financial literacy in students and to introduce them to concepts of smart money management.
The first stage of the program involved training at the main branch in Westborough, where I was educated on how to facilitate transactions, maintain a cash drawer, manage accounts, and effectively serve the needs of COFCU members.
The second stage of the program was to work lunch shifts in the newly opened satellite branch at Westborough High School. This was a great opportunity for me as a student to enrich my professionalism and communication skills.
In this role, I became adept at customer service, account management, financial literacy, and the mathematics of currency.
Education
MS Ayurveda & Integrative Medicine
Maharishi International University
Fairfield, IA
2018 - 2021
Fueled by my passion for natural sciences and indigenous medicine culture, I enrolled in a part-time Master's in Ayurveda & Integrative Medicine at Maharishi International University in Fairfield, IA.
Aside from a few clinical weeks in person per semester, most of the course was conducted online, designed for working professionals to be able to participate while managing their normal duties. This allowed me to work while also engaging within this area of interest.
Through this course, I gained exposure to the basics of Ayurveda, Vedic philosophy, anatomy & physiology, medicine preparations, diet & lifestyle management, and more.
BS Business Administration
Dual Concentration:
Marketing, Entrepreneurship
American University
Kogod School of Business
Washington, DC
2014 - 2017
At American University, I received an enriching business education under the guidance of experienced teachers (academic and successful businesspeople) in an environment conducive to practical and open discussions.
In addition to my BSBA, I took on a dual concentration - Marketing and Entrepreneurship. This provided me with a focused track of courses in these two fields and a strong network of like-minded peers working towards a more innovative and efficient future.
Some of the courses I enjoyed the most were global business, marketing, entrepreneurship, social enterprise, microeconomics, finance, project management, Microsoft Excel & Access.
In my undergrad, I also participated in the AU Center for Innovation (AUCI) Small Business Incubator, martial arts club, poetry & prose society, and in student government.
Westborough High School
Westborough, MA
2010-2014
Earned top ranks in AP microeconomics and English literature. I also competed in track & field in pole vault, discus, and 200 meter sprint.
I was elected as a member of the Student Council all four years. My contributions in this position include obtaining vegetarian menu options for student lunches, improving the quality of extracurriculars offered after school hours, and leading school spirit and cultural initiatives.
Core Competencies
Expertise
- Lead Generation
- Creative Problem Solving
- Marketing
- Branding
- Content Creation
- Business Analytics
- Business Development
- Project Management
- Lean Operations
- Budget Planning & Execution
- Cost-Saving Strategy
Data Analytics
- Project Management
- Product Design & Development
- Product Ownership & Management
- Product Launch & Performance Analytics
- Strategic Communications
- Cross-Cultural & Global Communications
- Stakeholder Relations
- High Profile Client Management
- Customer Acquisition
- Customer Service
- Customer Retention
Account Management
Relationship Development & Management
- Sustainability
- Government Relations
- Public Relations
- Team Leadership
- Presentation Creation & Execution
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, PowerBI)
Outside of Work
Outside of work, I am passionate about martial arts (Silambam, Adi Murai, Shaolin Kempo Karate, Wing Chun & MMA), archery, horticulture & gardening, community service, travel, trekking, vegetarian cuisine, action & comedy movies, anime, music, reading, and writing. I am active in the local communities and regularly volunteer at Temples and charity events.
