Hi, I'm Diya, and This Is Where My Story Starts

Where it began 

I was in 11th grade when my dad looked at my school business project and said, "You should aim for a career in marketing and management." The project was a product called Dream-o-Dairy,  a yogurt brand .In order to support my claim that it was "the taste of joy," I prepared the yogurt at home and brought it to class on the day of submission. My teacher didn't just grade it. She ate it.

A seed was sown in that instant. Marketing, I realized, isn't just about selling , it's about making people feel something. 

Learning by doing 

Three years later, as a sophomore in college, I found myself leading Global Talent , one of the three products of AIESEC International , at their Ahmedabad Chapter. AIESEC is the world’s largest youth-run organization promoting the fulfillment of mankind’s potential through volunteering and internship experiences. I conducted market research, created operational procedures, and gained experience turning insights into strategy while managing a department with more than fifteen young people. But more than the skills, I gained an understanding of what it's like to start from scratch. 

I then started working as a marketing and sales intern at Imagicaa, the biggest theme park in India. Equipped with a strong B2B market analysis and a strong sense of enthusiasm, I was able to secure over thirty new business partnerships through focused outreach and marketing initiatives. It was entertaining, quick-paced, and really showed me how marketing works in the real world.

After that, I worked as a marketing and content strategist at Writopedia, the first content agency in India, developing campaigns for companies like Decathlon, Upaj, and Thomas Cook. It wasn't always easy to balance all of this with academics, but it challenged me in ways that the classroom could never.

The Cornell chapter

Back in 11th grade, I told my dad I wanted to study at an Ivy League university. Six years later, I opened an acceptance letter from Cornell University. I was joining the Master's in Management program at Johnson Graduate School of Management, and it was everything I'd hoped for.

Between rigorous MIM coursework in marketing, strategy, operations, and finance, and Thursday evenings at Sage Social, Cornell sharpened how I think and made me a more confident, well-rounded business leader. Once a Cornellian, always a Cornellian. Big Red pride, wherever I go. 

What I've been up to

With 100+ congratulations messages and big ambitions, I started my career at the Mink Gallery, working with artist and Cornell professor Barbara Mink. It was the perfect first step — applying everything I'd learned in a real, creative context: marketing campaigns, GTM strategies, and event experiences that gave me a window into how marketing works in the arts and in small businesses.

I started working as a marketing analyst for a stealth AI startup in early 2026. I can't reveal much just yet, but stay tuned as we work on something truly exciting.

Why this blog?

Through this blog, I want to share what I've learned so far. Reflect on what I'm still figuring out. Stay curious about what lies ahead in the world of business, marketing, and strategy.

From classroom lessons to real-world experiences, each step has shaped how I think, decide, and grow. This space is my way of making sense of that journey , honestly and continuously.

And hopefully, along the way, we grow together.