Picture a visionary who blends data-driven insights with human intuition to reshape the world of business—meet Rishad Tobaccowala! This Indian-American strategist, author, and speaker has spent over four decades inspiring global leaders to rethink how they work, lead, and innovate. Known for his sharp wit and slide-free keynotes, Tobaccowala’s ideas have sparked transformation across industries, from tech giants like Google to retail powerhouses like Walmart.
With his bestselling book Restoring the Soul of Business: Staying Human in the Age of Data, Tobaccowala challenges organizations to balance technology with empathy, offering a roadmap for thriving in a digital age. Whether he’s advising Fortune 500 executives or penning his weekly newsletter, his mission is clear: help people and companies stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.
The Making of Rishad Tobaccowala
Born in Mumbai, India, Rishad Tobaccowala grew up surrounded by books, nurtured by parents who loved literature. His early passion for reading and storytelling took a detour into mathematics, earning him a bachelor’s degree from the University of Bombay. In 1980, he followed in his father’s footsteps to the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, where he earned an MBA in marketing and finance. It was here, under mentors like Harry Davis, that Tobaccowala’s knack for strategic thinking began to shine. His career kicked off at Publicis Groupe, where he spent 37 years, eventually rising to Chief Strategist and Growth Officer, leading an 80,000-person global marketing powerhouse.
Rishad Tobaccowala’s Game-Changing Works
Tobaccowala’s first book, Restoring the Soul of Business: Staying Human in the Age of Data (2020), is a masterclass in balancing technology with humanity. Praised by The Economist as a top book on stakeholder capitalism, it draws on Tobaccowala’s decades of experience to offer practical tools for leaders navigating digital transformation. His follow-up, Rethinking Work (2025), dives into the future of work, exploring how generational shifts, AI, and remote collaboration are reshaping workplaces. Both books blend data, storytelling, and optimism, urging leaders to prioritize people over algorithms.
Beyond books, Tobaccowala’s weekly newsletter, The Future Does Not Fit in the Containers of the Past, reaches over 30,000 leaders worldwide. Packed with insights on AI, leadership, and change management, it’s a must-read for those looking to stay ahead. He also hosts the What Next? podcast, where he chats with business, tech, and arts leaders about navigating cultural and societal shifts. His style? Provocative yet pragmatic, delivered with a storyteller’s flair and no PowerPoint in sight.
Why Rishad Tobaccowala Matters
Rishad Tobaccowala’s impact lies in his ability to make complex ideas accessible and actionable. Recognized by BusinessWeek as a top business leader and by TIME as one of five “Marketing Innovators,” he’s transformed how companies approach digital marketing, from pioneering early interactive agencies to incubating brands like Starcom IP and Denuo. His work with The Tobaccowala Foundation, which supports over 10,000 people in India with healthcare and education, underscores his commitment to social good. Tobaccowala’s legacy is a call to lead with empathy, ensuring businesses thrive by staying human in an age of algorithms.
- Born: Mumbai, India
- Key Works: Restoring the Soul of Business (2020), Rethinking Work (2025), The Future Does Not Fit in the Containers of the Past newsletter
- Awards: Ad Age Interactive Hall of Fame, Chicago Ad Federation Lifetime Achievement Silver Medal
Ready to rethink how you work and lead? Grab Restoring the Soul of Business or subscribe to Tobaccowala’s newsletter for a dose of his transformative insights!