"I was extremely fortunate to work with Rajiv for just over 3 1/2 years at Conde Nast Digital. Hiring Rajiv to run our technology organization was a pivotal moment for Conde Nast Digital, and many of our successes (financial, creative, operational) would not have come to pass without his presence there. He brings tremendous creativity, intelligence, personal dedication and energy to his job, and he is respected at all levels of the organization. Most recommendations on this site are positive by design, and that makes it harder for me to make clear how exceptional an executive Rajiv really is. I am open to direct contact via Linked In from anyone interested in a more detailed recommendation." March 28, 2011Sarah Chubb Sauvayre, President, Conde Nast Digital managed Rajiv at Conde Nast
"Rajiv is an excellent leader. He demonstrates true respect for everyone he meets and is a great human being. Rajiv leads by example and great example he sets. He's very smart and knowledgeable about technology and the digital landscape. And his colleagues can always depend on him to be there when they need him and to provide expert advice. I was lucky enough to work for Rajiv for more than 3 years and would feel even luckier to have an opportunity to work with him again."Â March 28, 2011Janet Kasdan, Director of Technology, Conde Nast Digital, reported to Rajiv at Conde Nast
"Rajiv is a terrific business partner who can skillfully translate technology to a non-tech audience. He's also an excellent strategic thinker, but knows how to transform the vision into reality with pragmatic development solutions. He's deeply plugged into industry trends and players, and makes solid recommendations for using new technology to address business needs. Rajiv is also an effective identifier, negotiator and manager of service providers, blending persistence with a personable approach. He shows a can-do attitude in all he does."Â December 19, 2010 Jessica Perry, Vice President, Product Planning/Management, Conde Nast Digital, worked directly with Rajiv at Conde Nast
"Rajiv is both an accomplished technologist and a skilled executive. I have the privilege of meeting with Rajiv once a week to discuss various technical issues across the company. Rajiv can clearly explain to editors how technology works and why. He has a real gift for informing non-technologists without patronizing them. I look forward to discussing new platforms and problems with Rajiv because I always walk away from our meetings with a list of new ideas. Rajiv is pushing his team of developers to innovate with our editors so that we can truly make tech part of the editorial process--not separate from it. The process is less painful because of Rajiv." December 16, 2010Susan Kaplow, Executive Editor, Syndication and Web Development, Conde Nast worked with Rajiv at Conde Nast
"Rajiv is an executive who can make tough decisions that are right for the company, even if that means facing a paradigm shift. A savvy negotiator during the lean times, he was able to meet aggressive budget expectations through contract renegotiations and licensing fee reductions which resulted in saved jobs. He takes an active interest in the personal and professional growth of his department and is truly an approachable executive. It is clear that Rajiv is driven by the true enjoyment and passion he has for technology and it was a pleasure working with him." July 7, 2010Joe Danyliw, Tech Manager, Conde Nast Publications worked indirectly for Rajiv at Conde Nast Publications
"To say that working with Rajiv was a pleasure would be a disservice to him and all those he managed. He wasn't a short reaching middle manager who shuttles people here and there. He's a leader in technology and actually has a great understanding of what is involved in it.While I worked with him he continuously rallied us. He drove a great work ethic, of being straight forward without being unpleasant. He got us through the worst and always had a level head. And come rain or shine, he treated every single one around him, higher up or lower down as people - human beings.If there was any memorable moments to be had, was being there at nearly all large technical events and making sure our work and his got through. Not to get statuses or point us around. Not to just be a firewall. He was one of us every time - someone who got his hands dirty to make sure things were done." May 19, 2010Spencer Portee, Software Architect/Tech Lead, Conde Nast reported to Rajiv at Conde Nast Publications
"Rajiv is very open-minded when it comes to technology. He looks for the right solutions regardless of the technology and understands the inner-workings of most technologies. It was a great experience being part of rajiv's organization because he gives everyone the freedom to be creative.-oscar" May 12, 2010Oscar Sumano, Associate Director, Technology Operations, Conde Nast worked indirectly for Rajiv at Conde Nast Publications
"Rajiv and I worked together for almost 2 years at Conde Nast. I was directly reporting to him for the social media projects. I must say, his vision towards emerging technologies and business trends is tremendous. He is a great mentor and very hard working person.His technical and analytical knowledge helped company to grow in competitive market. I enjoyed very much while working with him." May 4, 2010Kiran Patel, Web Application Developer, Conde Nast reported to Rajiv at Conde Nast Publications
“Rajiv and I worked together for two years at Conde Nast Digital. Rajiv and I were partners in delivering all aspects the web sites.Rajiv is the CTO and is responsible for all technical development and operations for the sites. He is very technically competent and provides a high level of technical strategy that enables the company to achieve very difficult goals. He is also business savvy constantly looking for ways to increase efficiencies and reduce costs. While working together he renegotiated contracts to achieve better terms and initiated new development procedures and methodologies to speed the process. He takes great pride in developing his staff at times spending off-hours to mentor developers and managers on his team.Rajiv is dedicated and highly motivated. I always knew we could find a solution to any problem and knew the process of solving the problem would be positive, healthy and engaging. Rajiv was a pleasure to work with in all situations.” September 10, 2009Ted Nadeau, SVP, General Manager, CondeNet, Conde Nast worked with Rajiv at Conde Nast Publications
Hyde Post, Vice President, Internet, Atlanta Journal-Constitution (a Cox company)
(July 26, 2009)
“After surveying the landscape at Coxnet, Rajiv made a number of key changes in the architecture and operational norms there that brought much-needed efficiency and stability to the web hosting operations. As a leader, he has a remarkable talent for seeing the forest first and not immediately getting lost in the trees as he sets his plans. He is very much a solutions person, fueled by a strong curiosity and willingness to try out new ideas. I believe he is most effective in an environment that is highly collaborative; he enjoys the give and take of shaping an initiative or solving a problem. He thrives on open exchange. His collaborative spirit made him a great partner in multi-organizational projects and created a strong base of support among his direct reports. Perhaps most importantly, he does a very good job translating complexity for the technology-challenged. I valued his advice and very much enjoyed our opportunities to work together.”
Mark Sun, Senior Director, Engineering, McClatchy Interactive (former Senior Director, Technology Architecture, KR Digital)
(November 27, 2006)
“Rajiv is a very resourceful manager. He always able to find supports from the top management and empower his staff to take calculated risks for innovated ideas. He is also a great leader, he respects his staff and always find time when people need his support.”
Dan Finnigan, Senior Vice President, Yahoo & GM of Yahoo HotJobs (former President and CEO, Knight Ridder Digital)
(April 24, 2005)
“Rajiv is very bright, hard-working, creative and passionate about his enginerring and development work on the internet. Rajiv never wants to do things the way they have already been done, Rajiv has always been top engineer in non-tech companies, requiring him to figure out how to get to the goal on his own. That is perhaps Rajiv’s greatest strength – his resourcefulness and self-reliance.”
Viv Neti, Vice President of Operations at Bamboo Ad Network, A Division of Travidia (former Senior Project Manager, COXnet)
(April 11, 2008)
“One of the best managers I have had. Rajiv is intelligent and thinks out of the box. He is never frustrated by a problem or obstacle but rather embraces the challenge and looks for creative resolutions.”
Karl Martino, Senior Software Engineer, Knight Ridder Digital
(March 20, 2007)
“Rajiv is an on going example of what I look for in leadership. He’s smart, visionary, can build systems that change businesses with little to no resources or time. On a personal note, Rajiv is among a very select group of people who I consider a mentor – I am blessed to be able to call him a friend.”
Shannon Brown, Director, Product Management, McClatchy Interactive (former Senior Software Engineer, KR Digital) (later Senior Product Manager at Yahoo! Personals)
(November 30, 2006)
“Rajiv is a visionary technologist with the ability to communicate and win support for his ideas as well as the execution skills necessary to bring them into being. He has always been an enthusiastic, motivating manager who also has time to spend with individual team members.”
Wayne Weber, Senior Software Engineer, McClatchy Interactive (formerly Knight Ridder Digital)
(July 21, 2009)
“Rajiv always has his antenna out into the ether of the latest technical technologies. Very quickly he can scan and capture the essence of the latest innovations. When he focuses on a given technology, he can grasp and master the subtle nuances of it. Rajiv’s personality is warm and congenial and he has excellent verbal communication skills. He is able to both inspire and excite those he is managing.”
Kim Marcille, Vice President, Circulation, The Miami Herald Newspaper
(September 16, 2005)
“Rajiv and I worked together at Knight Ridder Digital. The platform for Knight Ridder’s network of websites is built on Rajiv’s original Cofax platform. That’s quite an accomplishment! He’s very quick to understand requirements and believes that everything is possible. Rajiv is very customer service-oriented, always friendly, and a fun person to have around. I highly recommend him! –K.”
Tom Mohr, former VP Classified, KRD / Corporate Director, Knight Ridder (later became President of KR Digital)
(November 22, 2006)
“Rajiv is bright, extremely creative and entrepreneurial. This combines with his strong technical skills to create a powerful package.”
Chris Jennewein, VP, Internet Operations, San Diego Union-Tribune (former VP Operations, Knight Ridder Digital)
(November 22, 2006)
“Rajiv is a creative and visionary technologist. He was responsible for much of the early success of Philly.com, the Philadephia Inquirer’s popular Web site, and then helped build out Knight Ridder’s network of newspaper sites in more than 20 markets. Rajiv has a track record of helping traditional publishing organizations move forward with the latest online technologies.”
Benjamin Sun, Chief Engineering Architect, Knight Ridder Digital
(July 21, 2009)
“Rajiv is one of the best managers I have ever had. As the VP of engineering in Knight Ridder Digital, he is not only creative himself but also encourage all the team to think outside of the box and achieve tremendous success collaboratively. I strongly endorse his achievement and enjoy working with him in the past.”
Supriya Saha, Lead Java EE Solutions Architect, Coca Cola Company (formerly Team Lead, COXnet)
(July 22, 2009)
“Rajiv is the best technical leader, I have so far seen so far. He always keeps himself up to date with all the latest technologies and has the ability to guess the trend and adapt accordingly. He is a great person to work with and always interested in hearing and promoting new ideas to make things better. I had a wonderful time working under him and learnt a lot about leadership skills from him. I hope in future I will be able to work with him again.”
Nathan Tableman, Sr. Manager, Web Hosting & Infrastructure, Conde Nast Digital
(July 22, 2009)
“Rajiv’s deep understanding of technology combined with his leadership and soft skills created a very unique working environment at Conde Nast Digital – one that not only focused on the delivery of sound business driven technology but allowed for substantial growth in the individuals working in his department. This combination makes him a “boss” worth working for.”
Valerie Nozick, Product Development Director, Atlanta Journal-Constitution (a Cox company)
(August 29, 2007)
“Rajiv came into CoxNet and turned around an IT group that had been distant and unresponsive. He is very solution-oriented, and forward thinking. He was a pleasure to work with.”
Shannon Kinney, former Senior Director, Product Development, Knight Ridder Digital
(November 18, 2005)
“I managed Product Development at KRD and looked to Rajiv to help me find innovative solutions to our business goals and objectives, and was continually impressed by his ability to see the market trends and our requirements and create technical solutions for them.”
Shantanu Muni, Vignette / Autonomy Account Manager, Datamatics Consultants Inc.
(July 10, 2008)
“Rajiv is Man of Solutions. No matter what the issue or the problem is, no matter if it is technical or Non Technical, Rajiv has a knack of handling it in a manner no one else could even think of.”
Ches Wajda, former Design Director, Philly.com, Knight Ridder Digital
(September 27, 2004)
“Rajiv already was at legendary status when I arrived at Philly.com (while still a full-time student at Temple, he wrote the application that converted ATEX to HTML — something thought near-impossible). In my own experience with him, I found Rajiv to be a willing parter in my efforts to update the look of the product. “Yes, that is no problem,” was the common reply from Rajiv.”
Jennifer Musser-Metz, Senior Producer, Knight Ridder Digital / Philly.com
(November 21, 2006)
“I worked with Rajiv from his Atex-to-HTML wizardy days as a programmer,
until he left Knight Ridder Digital as a vice president of engineering.
He is truly a remarkably gifted person, and any company would be very lucky
to have him on board. He was able to make the impossible possible.”
Terry Chan, Project Manager, Capital Group Companies (formerly Principal Consultant PricewaterhouseCoopers)
(December 2, 2006)
“I had the pleasure to work with Rajiv on a major technology consolidation project where his technology strategy / direction was instrumental to the success of launching the single digital platform for 33+ online newspapers. I definitely would recommend him to anyone who is looking for outside the box thinker.”
Jodi Leese Glusco, former Sports Editor, Philly.com
(August 16, 2006)
“Rajiv is a brilliant programmer, a tireless worker and a gentleman.”
Patrick Burke, former Senior Manager, Product, COXnet
(February 22, 2006)
“Rajiv works well in a rapidly evolving, high-demand environment. He has more than 10 major stakeholders to keep happy, each with their own unique sense of urgency. He is responsible not only for the development of new technology, but continued support for the dozens of live products in production for a growing network of media web sites. He leads his team with skill and compassion.”
Ben Mappen, Software Engineer, Knight Ridder Digital
(November 22, 2006)
“Rajiv is a remarkable individual and I have long admired his savvy, charisma, and deep industry knowledge. When I first joined Knight Ridder Digital as an intern he took me under his wing and taught me how to distinguish myself in a professional environment, eventually leading to a fulltime offer at KRD. The relationships he builds with his collegues are genuine and he is one of the first people I turn to for career advice.”