Vito Prasad: A Dynamic Force in Technology Management
UCLA Anderson MBA candidate - Aspiring Product Manager in AI, consumer, and hard tech space; fmr. Management consultant @Kearney; Aerospace eng. (Spacex Falcon 9 + NASA's James Webb Space Telescope); process engineer in big pharma at Merck & AstraZeneca
Vito Prasad is currently an ambitious MBA candidate at UCLA Anderson School of Management in Los Angeles, California, where he is pursuing his passion for Technology Management and Entrepreneurship. His career is built on an impressive foundation of experience across various industries, including big pharma, manufacturing, aerospace, and AI-driven product management. Through these diverse roles, he has consistently demonstrated a unique ability to innovate and lead, driven by a commitment to developing groundbreaking solutions that impact multiple sectors. His deep technical knowledge serves as the backbone for his aspirations in product management, especially in the AI, consumer technology, and hard tech space. At UCLA Anderson, he plays a pivotal role as Co-President of the Japan America Business Association. He serves as VP of Alumni & Corporate Relations for the Anderson Video Game Business Association.
Championing AI Product Management
Vito's tenure in AI product management has been marked by empathy and strategic insight. As an MBA student, he interned at DocDraft, an AI-powered legal marketplace, where he revolutionized the user experience by implementing advanced features that made the platform more intuitive and efficient. His work on designing an AI-powered document-generation feature was instrumental, cutting down document creation time by 40% and boosting subscription conversion rates by 50%. Through extensive A/B testing and rigorous user research, he ensured that the feature was optimized for the platform's unique needs. Additionally, he spearheaded a transformative shift to a subscription-based revenue model, which led to a more than 100% increase in monthly recurring revenue. His dedication didn't stop there; he also developed an AI-driven customer-attorney matching feature that enhanced customer satisfaction by 30%, demonstrating his ability to deliver impactful, user-centric innovations.
Revolutionizing Aerospace Engineering
Before joining DocDraft, Prasad's passion for space exploration led him to significant achievements in aerospace engineering. He worked as a Systems Engineer in Contamination Control on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) project at Northrop Grumman. Having attended space camps and marveled at NASA Ames Research Center's wind tunnels as a child, he found his work on JWST both awe-inspiring and deeply personal. The meticulous attention to detail required to prepare the telescope for its historic mission was both a humbling and rewarding experience. His team's efforts, from decontamination processes to integration testing, played a crucial role in enabling humanity to peer deeper into the universe than ever before.
Following his contributions to JWST, Vito transitioned to a leadership role as Lead Systems Integration Engineer for Northrop Grumman's Strategic Systems Division. Here, he coordinated a multi-satellite project, managing requirements analysis and performance studies while ensuring seamless collaboration between government agencies, prime contractors, and subcontractors. His earlier aerospace experience includes working at SpaceX, where he contributed to the development of the Falcon 9 rocket's propulsion and fluid systems. Every improvement in reliability brought him closer to realizing the dream of making space travel more routine and sustainable. Witnessing the successful launches and landings of a reusable rocket system was a thrilling culmination of his and his team's relentless efforts.
Strategic Leadership in Management Consulting
Prasad's career also includes a prominent role in management consulting as a Senior Business Analyst at Kearney. Specializing in the Automotive, Aerospace & Defense, Transportation, and Infrastructure & Industrials sectors, he executed projects that delivered substantial value to clients. One of his notable achievements was optimizing supply chain routes for Battery Electric Vehicles (EVs) through complex network simulations, which significantly reduced delivery lead times by 50% and controlled future cost increments to 20%. His ability to analyze intricate supply chain networks and recommend effective strategies highlights his strong analytical and problem-solving skills, making him a sought-after consultant in the industry.
Impact on Big Pharma and Volunteering Efforts
Vito Prasad's expertise extends to the pharmaceutical industry, where he served as a Process Development Engineer at Pearl Therapeutics, a subsidiary of AstraZeneca. In this role, he managed a comprehensive product development initiative that doubled production efficiency within three months by implementing innovative process controls. His contributions facilitated international technology transfers and validated next-generation equipment, thereby tripling the global supply of FDA-approved respiratory treatments. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he has shown a deep commitment to community service. He volunteered for two years with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. He dedicated four months as a COVID-19 Vaccine Site Volunteer, exemplifying his passion for giving back and supporting public health initiatives.
Formative Years and Academic Excellence
Prasad's upbringing in a multilingual household instilled in him a lifelong curiosity and a love for learning. His father, fluent in five languages, and his mother, fluent in three, shaped his diverse cultural understanding. His inquisitive nature was evident from an early age, with his first spoken word being "why." This curiosity paved the way for his academic achievements, including fluency in Japanese, a language he mastered during his formative years in Japan. He also developed a passion for technology and cultural trends, being one of the first to embrace the Pokémon phenomenon in the '90s.
Vito pursued his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at Cornell University, where he distinguished himself as a student leader. He served as Secretary of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and took on responsibilities as a Project Leader for the ChemE Car initiative. His role as a Cornell Orientation Leader further highlights his commitment to mentorship and community involvement.
A Life Full of Interests and Hobbies
Outside of work and academics, Prasad is a man of varied passions. A coffee aficionado, he owns an extensive collection of brewing equipment and is constantly experimenting with new techniques to perfect his brew. His love for brewing also led him to gain practical experience at Anchor Brewing Company, where he enjoyed giving friends guided tours of the brewery. His competitive spirit is evident on the tennis court, where he is a formidable left-handed player. Running has also been a constant in his life since high school, inspired by a spontaneous 15-mile run with a friend.
When Vito is not running or playing tennis, he enjoys birdwatching, cooking traditional Japanese soul food, and analyzing films. His love for cinema is matched by his talent for curating travel and restaurant recommendations for friends, always ready with a meticulously crafted itinerary. His multifaceted interests enrich his personal and professional life, keeping him engaged and inspired.
Vito Prasad: Innovating Across Boundaries
Vito Prasad's journey is a testament to his unwavering commitment to innovation, leadership, and community service. His wide-ranging experiences, from aerospace engineering and AI product management to strategic consulting and pharmaceutical development, reflect a career built on a foundation of curiosity and excellence. As he continues to navigate his professional path, his ambition remains focused on shaping the future through empathetic and impactful product management. His story is one of relentless pursuit and a drive to elevate the industries he serves, making a lasting impact at every opportunity.
