We’re looking forward to introducing you to Keerthikeyan Dakshinamurthy. Check out our conversation below.
Keerthikeyan, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Honestly, being nominated for PRWeek’s Outstanding Young Professional of the Year 2026 feels huge. It’s one of those moments where you pause and think, wow, the work I’m doing is actually landing. I’m really proud of it. This industry lets me be creative and make a real impact, and to have that acknowledged in such a big way means a lot. It feels less like a finish line and more like a sign that I’m heading in the right direction.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Well.. I’m Keerthy, a Conceptual Creative based in New York, though my story stretches from Chennai to Kuwait to the U.S.
I’ve always been obsessed with how ideas move people, so I’ve carved out a career where I get to tell stories and build worlds, not just campaigns.
At Manifest, I work across brands like Daiya, method, Lysol, Candy Crush, and many more, creating experiences that blur the line between culture and advertising. Lately, I’ve been deep in some fun new projects for Candy Crush, and method products.
I’d tell you more, but a few of them are locked behind NDAs that would make the CIA blush.
What makes the work special for me is that it’s always been about using creativity to spark connection, representation, and sometimes even a little joy in places people don’t expect. It’s really the story we get to tell the world and move our culture forward in the right direction.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before I ever became a creative, my path zigzagged through a bunch of very different worlds. I sold coffee machines to offices, trying to convince people that better espresso could change their workday. I worked in B2B marketing, moving industrial machine parts that were about as exciting as they sound. I even spent time as a manufacturing engineer. But none of it felt like mine. It wasn’t until I finally took a break and asked myself what I actually loved that things clicked. I realized I just wanted to draw and make things every day. So I became an illustrator, then a designer, then a video editor and camera operator, until I finally figured out how to blend my love for art with my brain for business. That mix is exactly what led me to the work I do now.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Truthfully, the fear that held me back the most was realizing I wasn’t actually living my life. For years, every big decision I made came from someone else’s idea of the “right path” for me. I kept following advice like it was GPS, even when it didn’t feel like my route. The scariest thing I ever did was shut all those voices off and finally ask myself what I wanted. And starting over at 26 felt huge and risky, almost like stepping off a ledge and trusting there’d be a floor somewhere. But it turned out to be the best choice I’ve ever made. On the other side of it, I honestly wish I’d taken that leap earlier.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
The person I admire most for their character is my boss, Jessica Becker. She’s been such a steady source of inspiration for me, not because of her title, but because of how she leads, builds, and shows up for everyone around her. She’s the definition of a Boss Lady in the purest sense: strong, thoughtful, present, and always lifting others up. I honestly couldn’t ask for a better friend or leader, and she’s someone I’m proud to give my absolute best for every single day.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope the story people tell about me is that I helped show other South Asians with a similar upbringing that their creativity has a real place in the world. I grew up being told the “safe” options were engineer or doctor, and anything creative was more of a hobby than a path. It took my family believing in me, and me finally believing in myself, to actually take that creative side seriously. That support changed my life and shaped the career I have today. So if there’s any legacy I’d love to leave behind, it’s encouraging others to trust that part of themselves too. I genuinely believe everyone has a creative soul, and I’m always excited to see how people bring theirs into the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.keerthikeyan.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keerthy_k/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keerthyk/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
