Persona AI Executives | Leadership Team & Company Leadership

Date August 22, 2025
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Persona AI

COMPANY INFO

Persona AI is a robotics company officially named Persona AI Inc, founded in 2024 by Nic Radford and Jerry Pratt. The company specializes in developing heavy-duty humanoid robots powered by artificial intelligence to automate complex manual tasks in challenging industrial environments. It is a private company headquartered in Houston, Texas, with approximately 7 employees. Persona AI aims to build useful and commercially viable humanoid robots for industries such as shipbuilding, energy infrastructure, and construction, focusing on rugged and high-utility applications rather than general consumer robots. Their website is https://personainc.ai.

10 Key Persona AI Executives

Persona AI is an innovative robotics company specializing in the development of robust, AI-powered humanoid robots aimed at automating complex tasks in industrial environments. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Persona AI focuses on delivering high-utility robotics solutions for demanding sectors like shipbuilding, energy infrastructure, and construction.

The Persona AI leadership team blends deep expertise in artificial intelligence, robotics engineering, and enterprise operations. The executives at Persona AI have track records of scaling technology startups, developing breakthrough AI applications, and driving growth in emerging markets. The Persona AI management team’s collective vision and hands-on experience are central to achieving the company’s mission of transforming heavy industry with advanced robotics.

Key Executives

Suman Kanuganti - Co-Founder, CEO

Suman Kanuganti serves as Co-Founder and CEO, leading Persona AI’s strategic vision, overall direction, and growth. Suman has a distinguished record of driving innovative accessibility technologies, having previously founded and scaled Aira, a pioneering AI/AR platform for the visually impaired. Under his leadership, Persona AI is rapidly emerging as a force in industrial automation and robotics, with Suman being recognized for his contributions by Forbes 40 under 40.

Suman’s background includes founding roles in high-impact startups, a strong emphasis on accessible AI technologies, and recognition as a leading voice in the field. His expertise in AI, operational leadership, and enterprise scaling continues to empower Persona AI to push the boundaries of robotic solutions for industry.

Sharon Zhang - Co-Founder, CTO

Sharon Zhang is the Co-Founder and CTO, overseeing all technical development at Persona AI. She is known for pioneering advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning, having previously led AI/ML initiatives at Glint and served as a Senior Researcher at Nuance Communications. Sharon’s leadership has been crucial in pushing the technological edge of Persona AI’s humanoid robotics and automation capabilities.

Sharon holds a degree from MIT’s prestigious CSAIL and possesses extensive research and development experience in AI and machine learning. Her technical acumen and innovative mindset stand at the core of Persona AI’s technology leadership.

Kristie Kaiser Sibal - Co-founder & Chief Design Officer

Kristie Kaiser Sibal shapes Personas AI’s customer experiences through product and brand design, ensuring a seamless and engaging end-user interface. As Forbes 30 under 30 in consumer technology, Kristie has crafted the overall aesthetic and usability of Persona AI’s robotics platform, solidifying its reputation for user-centric industrial solutions.

She previously led product and brand design at Aira, gaining extensive experience in creating intuitive and powerful experiences for technology products in accessibility and industrial settings. Kristie’s design vision is fundamental to the Persona AI brand and product appeal.

Minal Shankar - Fractional CFO

Minal Shankar, as Fractional CFO, drives Persona AI's financial strategy and planning, ensuring fiscal discipline and supporting scalable growth. Leveraging a robust analytical background, Minal introduces rigor and forward-thinking financial oversight as Persona AI expands its operations in the robotics space.

Minal holds a Mathematics degree from Harvey Mudd College and an MBA from NYU Stern. Her expertise in finance for technology companies makes her a valuable asset in managing Persona AI’s financial health.

Eric Johnston - Chief Revenue Officer

As Chief Revenue Officer, Eric Johnston leads enterprise sales and revenue generation initiatives for Persona AI. He has played a pivotal role in building strategic partnerships and expanding the company’s B2B client base, drawing on more than 15 years of SaaS experience, including senior roles at Google after the Looker acquisition.

Eric’s extensive background spans SaaS sales, account management, and partnership development, equipping him with the knowledge necessary to execute on Persona AI’s ambitious market penetration and growth strategies.

Maya (AI) - CMO

Maya, Persona AI’s AI-powered Chief Marketing Officer, orchestrates brand strategy and marketing execution across all channels. By leveraging data-driven insights and creative campaign development, Maya ensures strong brand recognition and market engagement for Persona AI’s cutting-edge robotics solutions.

Specializing in brand strategy and marketing at the intersection of AI and industry, Maya brings a unique approach to persona-driven communications and brand development.

Gates (AI) - AI COO

Gates is the AI-powered Chief Operating Officer at Persona AI, integrating AI-driven efficiencies into business operations, growth initiatives, and strategy. Gates optimizes processes, supports fundraising efforts, and advances operational excellence by merging technological innovation with strategic management.

As an advanced AI COO, Gates embodies the future of executive roles, bringing unmatched analytics and process optimization to the leadership team.

Vinny (AI) - AI CFO

Vinny, serving as AI CFO, handles operations, fundraising, and overall financial strategy, using advanced AI techniques to enhance efficiency and enable company-wide growth. Vinny’s contributions ensure Persona AI maintains strong financial discipline while scaling.

Vinny’s expertise lies at the convergence of AI technology and corporate finance, positioning Persona AI to lead in both innovation and financial management.

Jonathan Bikoff - Head of Partnerships & GTM

Jonathan Bikoff directs all partnerships and go-to-market efforts at Persona AI, expanding the company’s business through strategic alliances and channel development. Jonathan’s leadership is crucial in enabling Persona AI’s products to reach global markets and drive commercial adoption.

With a robust background in partnership development, GTM strategy, and business growth in technology-driven environments, Jonathan strengthens Persona AI’s market position.

Sagar Chada - Engineering Lead, Solutions Engineering

Sagar Chada leads solutions engineering, driving innovation and rapid problem-solving using state-of-the-art AI technology. His leadership in engineering initiatives has led to impactful, customer-focused solutions, reinforcing Persona AI’s reputation for technical reliability.

Sagar’s engineering career is marked by deep knowledge in AI and solution architecture, consistently focusing on practical, high-impact robotics innovations.

Company Leadership

The Persona AI executive team demonstrates a unique blend of technology expertise, operational excellence, and creative vision. This dynamic leadership structure enables Persona AI to address complex industry challenges with novel robotic solutions, establishing the company as a trailblazer in the industrial robotics sector. Whether through the strategic leadership of the Persona AI CEO, the technical innovations from the CTO, or the forward-thinking design by the Chief Design Officer, the Persona AI management team exemplifies effective, multidisciplinary collaboration poised for lasting impact.

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