Vishnu Kanekal
About Vishnu Kanekal
Vishnu Kanekal is a User Researcher and Strategist currently working at Vahan Inc. in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he has been since 2020. He has extensive experience in user research, having held various positions in different organizations, including The New York Times and The New School.
Work at Vahan
Vishnu Kanekal has been employed at Vahan Inc. since 2020, currently holding the position of User Researcher & Strategist. In this role, he has focused on establishing and scaling the research practice, emphasizing strategic discovery and evaluative studies through a mixed-methods approach. Prior to his current role, he served as User Research Manager for a brief period in 2023 and as Sr./Lead User Researcher & Strategist from 2021 to 2023. His contributions have been pivotal in synthesizing data and translating insights into actionable product strategies.
Education and Expertise
Vishnu Kanekal holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Design & Management from Parsons School of Design - The New School, which he completed from 2017 to 2019. He also earned a Bachelor of Architecture from Deakin University, graduating in 2012. His educational background supports his expertise in user research and strategy, enabling him to apply design principles effectively in product development.
Background
Before joining Vahan, Vishnu Kanekal worked at The New York Times as a UX Researcher in 2019, where he contributed for three months. He also served as a Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant at The New School during 2018 and 2019. Earlier in his career, he was a Project Lead at Deccan Herald from 2015 to 2017, where he gained valuable experience in managing research projects. His diverse background spans multiple roles in user research and design.
Achievements
Vishnu Kanekal has facilitated ideation workshops with cross-functional teams, focusing on synthesizing data to inform product strategies. His work at Vahan has been instrumental in advancing the research practice within the organization. His passion for utilizing research as a driver for innovation and growth in product building is evident in his professional endeavors.