About Yuri Kruman
Life has always been about overcoming challenges and contradictions.
As a Russian immigrant in Kentucky, I was both an insider and an outsider. In college, I was a miserable pre-med student yet a thrilled anthropology major, drawn to film and literature...
…Finding My Path: From Neuroscience to Entrepreneurship
After college, I moved to New York for a Ph.D. in neuroscience. But I soon realized it wasn’t for me—I hated class but loved building my first startup, JuicyJews.com (yes, I still have the t-shirts!).
The program wasn’t the right fit, and my startup didn’t take off. So, I switched gears, working as a paralegal while applying to law school, balancing family expectations with my own aspirations.
The Legal Hustle & The Great Recession
I worked my way through law school, juggling internships in insurance defense, personal injury, consulting, and hedge funds. Meanwhile, I poured my energy into writing my first novel, Returns and Exchanges.
Graduating in 2009 during the Great Recession was brutal. With $250K+ in debt and no job, I struggled to pass the bar or even pay rent. Defeated, I moved back to Texas, only to return to New York two months later, couch-surfing for five months.
Breaking Into Corporate America
My first real job was a Legal/Compliance role at a top hedge fund. As my career progressed, I worked in credit risk and compliance at Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, and Brown Brothers Harriman.
But despite the prestige, I felt lost and unfulfilled.
Entering the Health Tech World
Looking for something more meaningful, I transitioned into health tech startups. Over three years, I worked in finance, product management, business development, and fundraising.
While these roles aligned with my passion for health and technology, I experienced firsthand how bad leadership and toxic work cultures drive burnout.
The Turning Point: Why I Became an Executive Coach
At yet another career crossroads—this time with a wife and two kids—I made a life-changing decision:
- Never work for a bad boss again
- Become the kind of leader I always wanted
I had worked at big corporations and startups that preached about employee engagement but did little to support their people beyond compliance checkboxes. Like 50% of employees, I felt used and undervalued.
Determined to change this, I wrote the Millennial Workplace Manifesto, guiding HR leaders on what Millennials truly want at work—not just free snacks, but trust, growth, and purpose.
A Life-Altering Challenge & Renewed Focus
Just as I was launching my executive coaching practice, my youngest daughter was diagnosed with cancer.
My wife and I made a difficult choice:
- She stayed in her corporate job for health insurance
- I became my daughter’s full-time caregiver while growing my business
This experience reinforced the importance of genuine workplace support—not just buzzwords, but real policies that empower employees.
Helping Companies Build a Better Employee Experience
Over the past two years, I’ve worked with 300+ Fortune 500 executives and startups, focusing on:
-Employee experience (EX) optimization
-Leadership development & corporate trust-building
-Workplace engagement & talent retention strategies
Too many companies treat employees as numbers, rather than investing in human potential. My mission is to change that by:
-Helping companies build trust with employees
-Developing leadership that fosters growth
-Creating workplaces where people thrive
Final Thought: People First, Business Second
Companies that truly prioritize employees see better results—higher retention, engagement, and performance.
It’s time for businesses to stop treating employees as resources and start valuing them as people first.
