Hello again. Let's catch up.

Its been a while since I last published anything here.  A lot has changed in the world - and in mine.

Last July marked the end of my time at Chico's FAS.  I decide to take the back half of the year off.  I traveled - to France and India - reconnected with my creative side (watercolor and piano!) and most importantly, spent some much needed time with family.

During that time, I also attended two incredible programs at Kellogg - the Women's Director Development Program (for women aspiring to serve on corporate boards) and the Global Women's Summit.  At the summit, I had the unforgettable experience of hearing Oprah Winfrey speak about the power of approaching your work and your aspirations with intentionality.  That message stayed with me.  Coupled with the inspiring women I met - leaders navigating change with courage - it helped spark a vision for what the next chapter of my journey could look like.

That reset also helped me step into 2025 with a renewed sense of clarity, purpose and possibility.  As generative AI began to build real momentum and I was in conversations with brands about what might come next, I began thinking more about how the experiences I had at Chico's, FTD, Walgreens could support brands navigating growth in today's rapidly shifting landscape - especially brands looking to scale in ways that are both agile and sustainable.

With that intention, I've launched Vistara Collective - a strategic advisory where I partner with brands I admire to drive omni-channel growth, transform the customer experience and explore the possibilities of generative AI.  In other words, where I get to continue doing the kind of work that energizes me.  

And somewhere in the middle of that, a full-circle tech moment happened at home.

Back in 2001, whenever my then-boyfriend (now husband) asked me a question, I'd open up Google.  One day, I even sent him this image as a joke.

Fast forward to now.  Google has been replaced with Claude and chatgpt and my children, who used to tease me about my reliance on the two tools, are now using those very tools in their day to day lives.

Its a reminder of how quickly the world (and technology) shifts - and how powerful it can be to stay curious, creative, and open to what's next.

The name Vistara - which means limitless expanse in Sanskrit - reflects both the ambition behind the work and the belief that great strategy should open up new possibilities, not box you in.  While Vistara reflects my personal passion for helping businesses grow, it has also created a space for me to think expansively about what I want to build next - whether that's through continued advisory work, innovation partnerships, or in a full-time leadership role that aligns with my strengths and ambitions.

So, what can you expect here going forward?

• Perspectives shaped by my advisory work 
• Thoughts on Gen AI and its real-world applications
• Observations on leadership, strategy, and navigating change
• The occasional personal reflection

If you're curious about the future of commerce, design, and technology-or just like exploring big ideas in a grounded way - I hope you'll stick around.

More soon.

- Dimple