Indian American strategy and transformation consultant Praveen Madan has taken on the role of CEO and publisher at Berrett-Koehler Publishers (BK), succeeding the retired David Marshall. Madan expressed gratitude for the opportunity and outlined his vision for a new publishing model, emphasizing BK’s commitment to being author-friendly and mission-driven.
With a background in strategy consulting, Madan successfully led the turnaround of Kepler’s Books since 2012, implementing innovative strategies like adopting a nonprofit model, community financing, and raising wages. His success at Kepler’s has influenced other bookstores across the United States.
BK’s founder, Steve Piersanti, praised Madan’s unique blend of outsider and insider experience, citing his contributions on the BK board and dynamic bookselling leadership. The company, facing financial challenges due to pandemic effects and market pressures, believes Madan’s vision and turnaround expertise will strengthen its position.
Joyce Roché, BK author and board chair, emphasized the importance of Praveen’s leadership during this challenging time. Madan’s commitment extends beyond his role, as he aims to redefine the relationship between publishers and bookstores, advocating for a human-first approach.
As a nationally recognized leader in reinventing bookselling, Madan co-convened the Reimagining Bookstores movement in 2021, focusing on community strengthening, literacy, and fair wages. His diverse background includes a degree from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin, with a previous decade spent at Kearney, a global management consulting firm.
