Jissan Cherian’s career journey has been all about his technical expertise with a passion for business and leadership. As the CEO and Founder of DVERSFY™, his path has been shaped by two decades of experience, starting with his early days at Microsoft. Fresh out of the University of Texas with a degree in Management Information Systems, Cherian joined Microsoft as a Technologist in Redmond, Washington. His primary role was to build and maintain the internal SAP-ERP system, a critical component that supported both Microsoft’s internal corporate IT tools and its external supply chain and ordering infrastructure.

From Tech Innovator to Business Visionary: The Journey of Jissan Cherian

In a team filled with senior programmers and server administrators who had decades of SAP experience, Cherian quickly recognized the importance of finding his niche. He leveraged his strengths in communication, project management, and cross-group collaboration to bring a fresh perspective to the team. This approach positioned him as someone who not only understood the technical skills required but also connected them to the larger enterprise and business context. His contributions soon led him to take the lead in Microsoft’s first Disaster Recovery/Business Continuity initiative, where he successfully project managed cross-functional teams to ensure the company’s preparedness for real disasters. His efforts not only enhanced the company’s disaster recovery processes but also gave him the opportunity to present Microsoft’s best practices at industry stages like the SAP Sapphire & ASUG conference.

Despite thriving in his technical role, Cherian felt a pull towards understanding broader business contexts. This desire led him to reach out to an early mentor at Deloitte Consulting, where he transitioned into the Technology Business Integration and Optimization practice as a Senior Consultant. Here, he applied his technical and interpersonal skillsets to help build and optimize business models across various industries, including retail, banking, and consumer goods, in both U.S. and international markets. These experiences solidified his interest in the business side of operations, prompting him to consider a shift from being a technical expert to becoming a general manager.

In 2009, amid the Great Recession, Cherian made the bold decision to leave the workforce and pursue an MBA at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. This two-year program in Marketing, Strategy, and International Management significantly altered his career trajectory. It helped him reposition his technical, analytical, and interpersonal skills as a point of differentiation in the marketing field. His studies also offered him opportunities to explore international markets, studying in Germany, Qatar, and China, which deepened his understanding of cultural nuances in global business. This period also saw the formation of his personal Board of Directors—four high-caliber classmates who are now leaders in various sectors, alongside his long-time girlfriend, who became his wife and a constant source of strength.

In 2011, Cherian’s pursuit of purpose and passion led him to join GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare (now Haleon). Over the next 13 years, he gained extensive hands-on experience in Marketing, Business Development, Sales, and Leadership roles across Vietnam, Central & Eastern Europe, and the USA. His final role before retiring from corporate life in 2024 was as the Senior Director of the U.S. Digestive Health portfolio, a billion-dollar business under his leadership. In addition to his professional achievements, Cherian also served on both the U.S. and Global DE&I Executive Leadership Councils for Haleon, fulfilling his commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Fostering Growth and Empowerment: Inspirational Leadership Approach

Jissan’s leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that the development of his team members should be prioritized as highly as business results. He emphasizes the importance of setting the expectation that people should grow faster than the business. This commitment begins with the leader taking the role of a catalyst and model for team development, signaling that every individual’s growth is as crucial as achieving financial goals.

To establish this foundation, Jissan introduced Personal Branding as the cornerstone of team development. He initiated this process by guiding his team, including cross-functional partners, through self-discovery exercises and external strength assessments. Instead of focusing on their weaknesses, the team committed to enhancing their natural strengths. By mapping out these strengths, Jissan helped create a collective team identity that aligned with the larger corporate structure. This approach not only fostered individual growth but also built a strong sense of organizational awareness and confidence within the team. The effectiveness of this strategy was evident in an Employee Engagement survey, which reported a perfect score of 100% on the question, “I trust my manager.”

Jissan has achieved a significant milestone by being recognized as one of LinkedIn’s Top Personal Branding Voices. This acknowledgment not only highlights his influence but also cements his credibility in the field of personal branding. In a platform filled with professionals and thought leaders, earning this distinction is a noteworthy accomplishment that showcases his ability to engage and inspire his audience.

Building on this foundation of trust, Jissan then empowered his team by pushing decision-making authority down through the organization. This approach allowed his team members to take ownership of their work and move quickly without the need for micromanagement. By granting them this autonomy, Jissan cultivated a sense of personal accountability among his team, leading to brand activations that resonated with consumers and met business objectives.

With decision-making rights distributed, Jissan nurtured a culture of bold and calculated risk-taking. He positioned himself as an advisor, guiding his team through new and innovative ideas while providing the safety net of support from upper management. This approach required careful management of senior stakeholders to secure the necessary resources and budget for these initiatives. By doing so, Jissan gave his team the confidence to explore and deliver bold ideas they had not attempted before.

Finally, Jissan ensured that credit and recognition were embedded in the team culture. He made it a point to shift the spotlight onto the individuals responsible for the team’s successes, both in cross-functional meetings and broader organizational settings. This practice not only motivated his team to take risks and innovate but also created a culture where effort and ingenuity were consistently recognized and celebrated. Through this methodical approach, Jissan Cherian led his teams to achieve industry and internal awards from 2021 to 2024, showcasing the power of prioritizing people’s growth, empowering decision-making, nurturing innovative ideas, and embedding recognition into the fabric of team culture.

Recognizing Excellence: The Achievements of Jissan Cherian

Throughout his career, Jissan has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence, leadership, and diversity. His journey is marked by numerous accolades that reflect his dedication to making a positive impact in both business and society. During his time at Carnegie Mellon University, he was awarded a financial scholarship as a Consortium Fellow (CGSM). This fellowship supports efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion in business and corporate leadership, aligning closely with his personal values. Upon graduating, he received the Distinguished Service to the Tepper School of Business Award in recognition of his leadership in promoting diversity and inclusion on campus.

In 2021, Jissan’s commitment to purposeful leadership was acknowledged when he was nominated as an NXT-GEN Fellow for Moral Leadership through the HOW Institute for Society. This program focuses on learning from historical events and moral philosophy to cultivate leaders who strive for the greater good. That same year, Jissan achieved significant success with the U.S. launch of Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel. His efforts were honored with two prestigious internal awards: GSK Global Marketer of the Year and GSK Best Global Brand Building Campaign. Additionally, the launch of the first arthritis-friendly website, VoltarenGel.com, earned three industry Gold Distinction Awards from the MMA Smarties Awards, the Shorty Awards, and the CHPA Self Care Awards. These recognitions highlighted his ability to innovate and connect with consumers effectively.

Jissan’s dedication to fostering inclusive environments was further recognized in 2021 when he was appointed as a council member for Haleon’s U.S. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Council. The following year, he expanded his impact by serving on Haleon’s Global DE&I Leadership Council as an executive council member, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to promoting equity and inclusion on a broader scale. In 2023, Jissan continued to excel in brand leadership with the successful repositioning of TUMS in the U.S. market. This achievement earned an industry Gold Distinction from the ANA Reggie Awards and led to unprecedented market share growth for the brand. His outstanding work was further celebrated with two internal awards from Haleon: Best Global Brand Building Campaign and Best U.S. Marketing Campaign.