Srini Pillay

Tell us about your line of work.

I am a clinical psychiatrist and brain imaging researcher, and I also work in the public domain helping people execute brain-based mindset shifts for optimal living. In addition, I work with investment companies in biotechnology, helping them understand whether drugs in development are likely to be FDA approved.

I am also the Founder and CEO of NeuroBusiness Group, a company that helps to develop leaders in Fortune 500 companies and non-profits by using a combination of research in brain science, human psychology, and business. And I co-founded NBG-Vivovii to be able to deliver these tools online as well.

Recently, I have co-founded two other startups: CoolCranium (where I am also CEO), a technology company that is developing advanced (augmented and virtual reality) business and entrepreneurial mindset solutions; and huBhu, a company that will crowdsource the wisdom of experience to help life’s challenges.

And I am also writing a musical, which centers around a young man’s search for authenticity in love and in his life’s ambitions. I am also an award-winning author and recently released my book, Tinker Dabble Doodle Try: Unlock the Power of the Unfocused Mind.

What’s your source of inspiration?

I’m not sure. I’m not sure of anything, really. And this uncertainty drives my ambition to discover new frontiers in applying insights from psychology and brain science. It feels too glib to say that I want to help people or help them transform their lives, even though that is true. I think that there is mystery to this life that I find compelling, and I love having others on this intriguing journey with me.

What change would you like to enact in the world?

I’d like people to fully grasp the power of their ability to change their brains. And I’d like them to understand that their own power resides in surrendering to their authenticity, and using existing frameworks to navigate to this ever-deepening place within themselves that connects them to others, too.

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.

My twitter profile describes my personal philosophy quite well: “somewhere between martinis and meditation.” While I have a deep respect for spirituality, I also find the carnal world spiritual and meaningful. I tend to inhabit this entire world with a theistic bent — a recognition that there is a unified coordinating intelligence behind the machinations of the world.

Why did you join IVY?

I wanted to meet like-minded people, people who were socially and intellectually curious, and also wanted to have fun. But again, who knows why we do anything? If I had to be truthful, I would say I had an intuition — which seems to have been correct in this instance.

What has been your most memorable IVY Experience?

I think the discussions of my book, Tinker Dabble Doodle Try, with IVY community leads (Jessie Stettin in Boston and Patrick Gallagher in San Francisco), in front of IVY audiences, were very memorable. The depth of the discussions and the audiences themselves were heartening, with and without the wine.