Vito Prasad: A Visionary in Technology and 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 an MBA candidate at UCLA Anderson School of Management in Los Angeles, California, with a specialization in Technology Management and Entrepreneurship. His career spans multiple industries, including big pharma, aerospace, AI product management, and manufacturing. His comprehensive experience reflects a passion for product development and AI-driven innovation, supported by his extensive technical expertise. At UCLA Anderson, he plays a significant leadership 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.

Innovating in AI Product Management

Vito is dedicated to being an empathetic product manager, consistently prioritizing user needs and tackling complex challenges to deliver meaningful and efficient features. During his MBA program, he made a substantial impact as a Product Manager at DocDraft, an AI-assisted legal marketplace. In this role, he designed an AI-powered document-generation feature that reduced document creation time by 40% and increased user subscriptions by 50%. His thorough approach included conducting A/B testing and extensive user research to refine the feature's performance. Additionally, he led the company's transition to a subscription-based revenue model. By performing detailed pricing analyses and comprehensive research, he successfully increased monthly recurring revenue by over 100%. He also pioneered an AI-driven customer-attorney matching feature, which, through hands-on user research and data-driven prioritization, boosted customer satisfaction by 30%.

Achievements in Aerospace Engineering

Prasad's journey in aerospace engineering highlights his deep-rooted passion for space exploration and technological advancement. Before his role at DocDraft, he served as a Systems Engineer in Contamination Control for Northrop Grumman's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Growing up with a fascination for NASA and space camp adventures, working on JWST was the realization of a lifelong dream. His responsibilities involved meticulous decontamination processes and integration testing, ensuring that the telescope could perform its mission of revealing the universe's deepest secrets. This experience was a humbling reminder of the impact his contributions had on the world of space exploration.

Vito further honed his expertise as a Lead Systems Integration Engineer for Northrop Grumman's Strategic Systems Division, where he coordinated a multi-satellite project. Managing requirements and conducting performance studies, he successfully led cross-functional collaboration among government agencies, prime contractors, and subcontractors. His aerospace career also includes a pivotal role at SpaceX, where he worked on the Falcon 9 rocket's propulsion and fluid systems. His contributions to the development of a reusable rocket system brought him immense pride, as he and his team witnessed their work result in reliable and sustainable space launches.

Consulting Excellence and Strategic Impact

Prasad's experience as a Senior Business Analyst at Kearney's ATI Practice showcased his strategic thinking and analytical acumen. He optimized Battery EV supply chain routes for a major automotive client, employing advanced network simulations to enhance delivery efficiency. His work led to a 50% reduction in lead times and limited incremental costs to 20%, demonstrating his ability to deliver impactful solutions to complex logistical challenges. His strategic initiatives have made him a highly valued consultant, respected for his insights and problem-solving skills across multiple industries.

Big Pharma and Community Contributions

Vito Prasad's early career also included significant achievements in the pharmaceutical sector. As a Process Development Engineer at Pearl Therapeutics, part of AstraZeneca, he led an end-to-end product development initiative that doubled production efficiency within three months. He managed the international tech transfer and validated next-generation equipment, significantly increasing the global supply of FDA-approved respiratory treatments. His commitment to making a difference extended to community service as well. He volunteered with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program for two years, helping low-income families with tax preparation. He served as a COVID-19 Vaccine Site Volunteer for four months during the pandemic.

A Childhood Rooted in Curiosity and Multilingualism

Prasad's upbringing in a multilingual household, shaped by first-generation immigrant parents, laid the foundation for his diverse interests and career aspirations. His father spoke five languages, and his mother three, instilling a deep appreciation for cultural diversity. From a young age, his inquisitive nature was evident, with his first word being "why." This curiosity translated into a love for languages and cultural exploration, leading him to become fluent in Japanese. His formative years in Japan left a lasting impact, and he was one of the earliest enthusiasts of the Pokémon craze, which became a global phenomenon.

Vito later attended Cornell University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. At Cornell, he actively engaged in leadership roles, serving as Secretary of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and leading the ChemE Car project. He also contributed to the campus community as a Cornell Orientation Leader, mentoring incoming students and fostering a sense of belonging.

Interests and Hobbies Beyond the Professional Realm

Beyond his academic and professional achievements, Prasad has a wide range of hobbies that keep him engaged and fulfilled. He is an avid coffee enthusiast, constantly experimenting with different brewing techniques using his extensive collection of coffee-making equipment. His passion for brewing even led him to work at Anchor Brewing Company, where he gained hands-on experience and enjoyed offering friends personalized tours of the brewery. On the tennis court, he is a formidable left-handed player known for his competitive spirit. Running has been another passion since high school, sparked by a spontaneous 15-mile adventure down his town's longest street.

Vito also has a deep appreciation for the outdoors, frequently engaging in birdwatching, and he enjoys cooking traditional Japanese soul food for friends and family. His love for cinema drives him to analyze films with a critical eye, and he takes great pleasure in curating detailed travel and restaurant guides for those close to him. His multifaceted interests enrich his life, offering a well-rounded perspective that he brings into every endeavor.

Vito Prasad: Shaping the Future with Innovation and Empathy

Vito Prasad's professional journey marks a dedication to innovation, strategic impact, and community service. From transforming AI product management to contributing to groundbreaking aerospace projects, he has consistently demonstrated excellence and leadership. His diverse experiences reflect a holistic approach to problem-solving and a commitment to making a difference. As he continues to pursue his passions, his story remains one of inspiration, driven by a relentless desire to innovate and improve the world around him.