Thursday, June 26, 2025

"I have worked in the non-profit sector and the no-profit-whatsoever sector ..." - post for Prof. Wendy Doniger

"I have worked in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors..."

Sample Interview Answer (Uncensored Edition):

“Yes, I’ve worked in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors, and also in the rarely discussed no-profit-whatsoever sector—also known as updating your LinkedIn profile every time Mercury goes retrograde.

I’ve contributed unpaid labor to the noble cause of perfecting my professional summary, which some say is now long enough to qualify as a minor epic, rivaling the Iliad and the Mahabharata.

Francis Fukuyama probably hates me because I said he was wrong.
Samuel Huntington would have hated me, had he lived long enough to see me composing a rival theory.
Ronald Coase? Likely spinning in his grave after I proposed an alternative theory of the firm.
And Oliver Williamson? He wouldn’t acknowledge my presence in a meeting — whether online, offline, or in Meta’s metaverse — or a meta version of the metaverse thereof.

I’m currently accepting award nominations for Best Use of Bullet Points in a Non-Fiction Setting.”


And now, without further ado: my clever idea on how to avoid the 2600 character limit imposed by LinkedIn on professional summaries — just simply ignore it and post a longer version to your own web-hosting provider or micro-blog.

Link to micro-blog:

Anand Manikutty's Professional Profile Summary for LinkedIn/Academia.Edu/Monster - blog entry created to avoid the 2600 character limit and created in all seriousness.



Chief Product Officer & InfoSec Architect

I’m a Chief Product Officer & Software Architect specialized in InfoSec-driven full‑stack systems, modern web development, scalable backends, and data platforms. After years in media and engineering management, and academia, I’ve returned to hands‑on development—building production-grade, security‑first software. Most recently:

  • Fulmo: A community games hub built with secure authentication/authorization, protecting user data and fostering trust.
  • Screens: An LMS platform under active development, featuring encrypted data pipelines, role-based access control, and ongoing vulnerability assessments. Leading design and implementation of Screens, writing code.

Over my career, I’ve designed secure full-stack systems—from hardened backend APIs (Python/Flask, PostgreSQL) to resilient cloud deployments (AWS, Render). I integrate infosec best practices across the lifecycle: threat modeling, secure architecture, incident response planning, and regulatory compliance (e.g., GDPR).

I’m also a 10x‑author and educator—leading workshops on programming, strategic management, behavioral science, and security—bringing practical, real-world experience to the classroom. I’m currently working on breaking a world record in the field of poetry (details under wraps for now), adding an artistic dimension to my professional journey.

✅ Career highlights include:

  • Architected platforms that were secure, highly scalable, performant, and fault tolerant.
  • Built systems that significantly reduced attack surface through secure authentication and authorization mechanisms.
  • Mentored engineering teams on secure coding best practices, code reviews, and security-first coding.
  • Inventor on 15+ patents (and author of 10+ peer-reviewed papers), including significant XML innovations — awarded patent plaques by Oracle that remain among my favorite possessions.
  • Startup founder in programs like Google for Startups, Microsoft for Startups, and IIM Kashipur FIED.
  • Member of a world‑record performance project at Microsoft—contributed to a project that broke the world record for the famed TPC-C benchmark. Earned a commemorative trophy that remains a favorite possession.
  • Member of the SQL Language Design Committee (self-reported).
  • Collaborative research with finance and CS researchers at Harvard and elsewhere.
  • Presenting author at VLDB 2004 (Toronto), ICDE 2005 (Tokyo), and Advanced Computing 1996 (Bangalore) — all self-reported.
  • Contributor to the South Asian edition of a strategic management textbook considered a classic in the field (self-reported).

My experience spans the entire product lifecycle—from designing robust backend architecture and crafting interactive frontends, to deploying and scaling cloud-native applications. I’ve contributed in both startups and large enterprises, mentored engineering teams, and taught courses and workshops on database systems, operating systems, software development, as well as happiness‑ and productivity‑focused behavioral science, in the U.S. and India.

Currently, I ship code daily or weekly, and I’m eager to collaborate on teams or projects where I can add value both technically and strategically. Some of the technologies I’m working with include React, Python, Flask, and PostgreSQL.

πŸ”§ Technical Expertise

  • Full‑stack development – React.js frontends with Python/Flask backends, built with security-first architectures.
  • Backend & API development – Designing and scaling robust, secure microservices and RESTful APIs.
  • Cloud deployment – Hands-on production deployments using AWS and Render, with emphasis on secure, fault-tolerant infrastructure.
  • Database design & development – Schema design, performance tuning, data integrity, and secure data models (PostgreSQL).

πŸ’Ό Domain Areas of Focus

  • Web Development, Database Systems & Cloud Technologies – Engineering, research, and patents in SQL, XML, and Internet tech.
  • Secure Software & InfoSec – Building systems with threat modeling, encryption, and secure design principles.
  • Mentorship & Academia – Leadership in workshops, curriculum design, and teaching.
  • Agripreneurship & Sustainability – Hands-on experience in an agri-tech venture.

πŸ† Professional Achievements

  • Founder of a startup accepted into incubation programs (Google for Startups, Microsoft for Startups, IIM Kashipur FIED, Wadhwani Foundation's Ignite program).
  • Published 10+ research papers and awarded 15+ patents—awarded patent plaques that remain among my favorite possessions.
  • Presenting author at major conferences: VLDB 2004 (Toronto), ICDE 2005 (Tokyo), and Advanced Computing 1996 (Bangalore).
  • Governor’s Medal (IIT Madras) for all-round academic excellence and extra-curricular performance, 1997.
  • Motorola Prize medal recipient (IIT Madras, 1997).
  • Institute Blues award (IIT Madras, 1996)—a prestigious recognition for outstanding contribution to campus life and sports.
  • Member of the SQL Language Design Committee—contributing to evolution of the SQL standard.
  • Contributed to a project that broke the TPC‑C benchmark world record at Microsoft.
  • Conducted collaborative research in finance, strategic management, and computer science with leading academics.
  • Contributor to the South Asian edition of a classic strategic management textbook.

πŸ”§ Software Architect | πŸ”’ InfoSec Advocate | 🀝 Product Leader | πŸš€ Startup Founder | πŸŽ“ Educator & Researcher