08 December 2022
Russ Kennedy, chief product officer, Nasuni
Who was your hero when you were growing up?
I was very active growing up, playing all kinds of sports. I played baseball into college and as an adult, so I could say that I had several sports stars as heroes in my early years. My dad was also my hero as he encouraged me to be active and to compete with maximum effort - but always to respect my opponent. But my mom was actually my hero. She was a teacher and all throughout my formative years, I also wanted to be a teacher. She convinced me that I would need a good education in a field that I could build a career and achieve financial success, which is not usually found in teaching, but that I could actually be able to teach others in most any field I chose for my career – and she was correct.
What was your big career break?
I graduated with a degree in computer science and went to work as a software developer in aerospace. I changed jobs several times but realised I wasn’t a great developer, although I found I really enjoyed working with people. So, I went back to school and got an MBA and worked my way into management.
As a young manager, I was given the opportunity to take over an entire software division within a larger, mostly hardware-based company, and take responsibility for a large and profitable revenue stream. I was one of the youngest executives leading a division made up of development teams all over the world.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Since I couldn’t make it as a professional baseball player, I wanted to go into teaching. My mother convinced me to seek another profession that would be more financially rewarding, so I started in software development.
I taught my own children to be active and participate in sports and I coached them as well as other youth teams as my career progressed. I’ve always enjoyed working and mentoring kids. I will volunteer a lot more in youth programs once my professional career comes to an end.
If you could dine with any famous person, past or present, who would you choose?
John F. Kennedy. As a kid growing up, I was always fascinated by a US president with the same last name as mine. My first vivid memory is seeing my mother cry while watching the news that he had been shot - I was four years old. I think he was the last great leader the US has had, unfortunately. Had he continued through his full term in office and post presidency, I think the world would be a much different place right now.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Don’t ever take anything for granted. Things happen for a reason and usually that reason is due to someone or a group’s effort, ingenuity, creativity, organisational skills and teamwork. If you take things for granted and don’t leverage your developed skills and the people around you, the results you achieve will not live up to your expectations.
If you had to work in a different industry, which would you choose?
I’d probably work in the adventure travel industry. I enjoy travel with lots of physical activities (hiking, biking, kayaking, etc.) and it would be energising to lead or guide a group of people on those adventures. Most people want to relax when they travel but I’m the opposite. I get bored if there’s not plenty of physical activities to keep me busy and let my mind clear: I’d like to guide others that enjoy that same type of vacation activities.
The Rolling Stones or the Beatles?
Both are iconic and the Stones have certainly had longevity, but you can’t dismiss the impact the Beatles had when breaking into the music scene. Because of that, I’ll go with the Beatles.
What would you do with £1m?
I would invest a portion for the security of my family over the long term. Whenever I’ve come into unexpected sums of money, I’ve generally invested it for a specific goal, like college expenses for my children and I see this in the same way. I’d also give a portion to a charity so others can benefit from my good fortune. And the remainder, I’d probably use for an adventure vacation (see above).
Where would you live if money was no object?
I always tell people I live in one of the best places in the world in the front range of Colorado. There’s plenty of outdoor activities and the climate is relatively but still with four distinct seasons.
Recently, I traveled to Switzerland on an adventure vacation and fell in love with the region. We were mostly in the Alps, and I found it very similar to where I live now, with a slower pace but a real passion for life. My wife has family roots in northern Italy which is also very similar, and I could see myself living there as well!
Bottom line: if money is no object, my choice would be to have a place in all three and enjoy each area.
