Hi Vish, I’ve really enjoyed your posts on LinkedIn—they’re always thoughtful, fun and inspiring. Thank you for sharing your family’s story and your work in our industry with our readers.
I’m the ring‑tailed ringleader who dreams up critters you can cuddle, then rallies factories, forests, and finance so every plush pal pays rent to Mother Earth.

What is it about the Toy and Game Industry that you love?
It’s the only business where “monkeying around” is literally on the org‑chart and laughter is a leading KPI. We regularly use our toys to talk through situations in meetings.

What is your claim to fame?
Being the first to turn recycled plastic bottles into stuffed animal penguins—then letting kids name them.

Greatest win so far?
Witnessing my grandfather receive the Champion of Sustainability award from the Toy Association for his life’s work.

Biggest failure?
I love to fail.  We are a learning culture, and we actually track our failures in a wiki.  One that I told the team recently was about ten years ago when I froze when a customer was upset.  I then called my grandfather to fix it. 

What are you still hoping to accomplish?
One day every zoo gift shop on Earth will offer only climate‑kind toys and Wild Republic will lead the industry with affordable innovation to make this happen.

Mantra?
“Play like a kid, plan like a sea turtle—if it is not fun, let it go.”

What keeps you up at night?
Wondering whether capybaras need pajamas.

Why and how did you get into toys?
My grandparents loved humans and animals.  In this passion Wild Republic was born and I inherited a company filled with their love.

What are you working on now?
Partnership which leverage and scale my vision to connect humans and animals.

What keeps you motivated?
Seeing a child hug a turtle plush, then ask how to save real turtles. That dopamine surge is greener than matcha.

Ten‑years‑ago me vs. today?
I wore suits to work and did not take a break to play; today I wear jeans and play pickleball with my employees.

Zombie apocalypse hiding spot?
My grandfather’s rainforest room.

Favorite project to date?
Cuddlekins stuffed animals: the world’s largest species toy assortment.

Trends that excite or worry you?
Excite: sustainable solution in any toy.  Toys connected to screens.  Do we really need more screen time?

Advice to inventors pitching me?
Lead with the “aha,” end with the “awww,” and show me the eco‑math in between.

Advice to a new grad?
Your degree is a map; your curiosity is the compass—follow the animal tracks, not the highways.

Advice for newcomers to the industry?
Prototype fast, play‑test faster, and never ignore the kid in the corner quietly chewing the toy tag—that’s your QA department.

Typical workday?
Sunrise surf with sea turtles (email purge), mid‑morning brainstorm in our “nest” meeting room (beanbags + birdsong playlist), afternoon factory call, sundown storytime with plush prototypes.

Workspace setup?
Mentalistic, and a wall of failed plush “misfits” reminding us to iterate with grace.

Most rewarding part of the job?
Seeing an orphaned child receive a cuddly fox and smile like the whole forest just showed up to hug back.

Most trouble I’ve been in?
Let’s just say innocently some inappropriate language and images ended up on product.

Worst job ever & lesson?
Being my grandfather’s secretary and yet my title was Executive Director.

Problem still solving?
Less screen time for children.

Who/what inspires me?
Jane Goodall, a six‑year‑old’s watercolor of a blue tiger, and any river that refuses to stay straight which I ruck by every week.

What excites me?
The moment a child realizes recycling isn’t a chore—it's a super‑power.

Define creativity.
Believing in the big dreams of other and knowing if it is done in their head it can happen.

Define innovation.
One more step toward animals and humans living in peace on this earth.

Best idea birthplace?
My shower—waterfall mode equals idea monsoon.

Blocks my creativity?
Email threads longer than an anaconda. Pick up the phone.

Recharge routine?
Tennis, pickleball, rucking and hiking in the woods.

Words for my brain?
Curious, kaleidoscopic, kangaroo‑pouched (always stashing ideas).

Childhood obsessions?
Stop signs, I love rules.

Snuggleluvs Penguin

Toy I’d bring to life?
Our newest Snuggleluvs line.  I know they are a kind tribe.

Video‑game character I’d be?
Pac-man, I love to eat.

Favorite Disney character?
Simba, respecting the circle of life.

$100 toy or 100 $1 toys?
I’ll take one $100 toy…that unpacks into 100 $1 toys made of bamboo.

Where does Santa vacation?
Galápagos—exclusive iguana spa, zero paparazzi.

Place of birth?
Ohio and Kochi, India—I was born American while my heritage is in India.

Life growing up?
My Grandpa and Grandma were and are my guideposts.

Influence of hometown?
Sandusky, Ohio taught me how to slow down.

Daily reading?
Adam Grant and Simon Sinek.

Person I admire most?
My grandma: she saved orphans and created the financial foundation of Wild Republic.

Role models?
Patagonia’s Yvon Chouinard.

Dream dinner party guests?
My global leadership team.  We have so much fun!

Favorite work gadget/app?
90 IO supporting the philosophy Traction.

Last thing that made me laugh or cry?
A video of my grandfather playing with Proboscis monkey and my son.

Named after anyone?
Yes—Vishnu a Hindu God, the cosmic preserver; a reminder to protect, not just profit.

Nickname?
“Vish” (everyone said my name wrong: I leaned in).

Dog or cat?
I’m a snow leopard person trapped in a human CEO suit.

Guilty pleasures?
You tube comedy videos.

What’s in my fridge?
Ingredients for my daily smoothie via Vitamix.

Favorite musicians?
Depeche Mode—Never let me down.

Always dance to?
We are the Champions--Queen.

First thing I notice about people?
Whether their eyes smile before their mouths do.

Favorite books/magazines?
Infinite Game—Simon Sinek and Think Again Adam Grant.

Hobbit or elf for a day?
Elf—better forest‑management policies.

Favorite websites?
IUCN Red List---Need to who needs our help.

Scary movies or happy endings?
Comedies and laughter.

Celebrity crush?
Sir David Attenborough—what a message.

Favorite sports & teams?
Tennis Tennis Tennis.

Beverage of choice?
Coffee—I love coffee from a local roaster.

Hobbies?
Rucking…45 pounds on my back in nature.

Hugs or Kisses?
Hugs—safer for plush prototypes.

Legacy hope?
A future where human’s consumption does not harm animal habitats.

The toy and game industry clearly has…
The ability to change the world.

I’m lucky that…
Every morning my calendar reads “9 a.m. Toygate.” How many CEOs can say that?