About Me

I spent my early years in Safa Kadal, Srinagar, where I lived until late 1989 when my family relocated to Jammu in response to the onset of militancy in the region. I am the son of the late Dr. R.K. Kotru, an IAS officer who served in the J&K administration, and Smt. Nirmala Kotru. Currently, I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, with my mother, my wife Surabhi, and our two daughters, Sharanya (11) and Shanaya (6).

With over two decades of experience in the tech industry, I have worked with leading global companies, gaining expertise in cutting-edge technology and business strategy. Currently, I am a sales leader at Snowflake, a company renowned for its innovative cloud data platform. In this role, I collaborate with stakeholders to deliver key business outcomes for some of the largest financial services clients, while staying at the forefront of technological advancements in data and cloud computing. LinkedIn

Beyond my professional career, I am deeply passionate about serving my community, which is a reflection of the values I hold dear. This dedication is highlighted in the contributions I have made to various community initiatives, as seen on My Contributions page.

Why am I running for KOA President and why now?

As we take pride in our rich heritage, which spans over 5,000 years, I am also acutely aware that my generation is among the last to have grown up with a direct connection to Kashmir. To ensure that our culture and traditions endure, the involvement of the younger generation—those born and raised in the U.S.—is absolutely essential. In this context, I firmly believe that it is the responsibility of my generation to rise to the challenge of preserving our KP heritage. I feel an urgency to act now, rather than waiting until retirement, as I see the importance of setting an example for my growing children and the youth in our community.

For the past five years, I have had the privilege of serving as the KOA Zone 9 Director, now in my third term. This role has provided me with the opportunity to work closely with our community, fostering connections, supporting important initiatives, and helping to preserve and promote our cultural heritage. It has been an incredibly fulfilling experience, and I am grateful for the trust and support I’ve received throughout my tenure.

Building on this foundation, I am excited to volunteer for the position of KOA President in the upcoming elections. This decision comes from a deep desire to continue contributing to our community in an expanded capacity. As KOA President, I hope to build upon the progress we have achieved so far and further strengthen the ties that bind us, ensuring that our cultural legacy remains vibrant and thriving for future generations.

• Humility
• Inclusivity
• Leading by Example
• Assuming Positive Intent
• Embracing Servant Leadership
• Fostering Collaboration and Non-Partisanship