You spent more than a decade at Etsy before becoming CEO. What experiences most prepared you for the role?

In Steve Jobs Stanford commencement address, he tells a story about how you cannot connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards. That message always resonated with me because I followed the opportunities ahead wherever they led me. I never had a plan to get to this destination. But looking back, it's clear how each experience I've had since joining Etsy played an important role in preparing me for my current role as CEO.

I've had the opportunity to work across many parts of the business - from product and engineering to operations and strategy - which gave me a front-row seat to how the company works and how every team contributes to serving our buyers and sellers. I've also been here through a lot of change, from periods of rapid growth to moments that required us to rethink how we operate. Those experiences taught me that leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about listening, bringing people together around a shared direction, and being willing to make tough decisions while staying true to what makes Etsy unique.

Etsy has spent years helping entrepreneurs build businesses. What do you think larger companies can learn from small business owners?

One thing I think larger companies can learn from small business owners is to stay as close to their customers as possible. I recently asked a group of Etsy sellers where they get inspiration for new products, and all of them said their customers. A conversation with a buyer, a custom request, or a new need often sparks their next idea.

That kind of feedback loop is incredibly powerful. As companies grow, it's important to keep listening with the same curiosity and responsiveness because that's often where innovation begins.

You've previously spoken about learning to trust your own voice over time. What helped you develop that confidence?

It’s forever a work in progress. Every stage of leadership stretches you in new ways, and I'm still learning every day.

I've learned how important it is to surround myself with people I trust—people who will challenge me, give me honest feedback, and create a space where I can be completely myself. Those relationships have given me the confidence to lead in a way that feels authentic rather than trying to fit someone else's idea of what a CEO should be. I think when leaders show up with that kind of authenticity, it creates space for others across the company to do the same.

Do you have one secret to your success?

I don't think there's a secret, but I do think it helps to believe deeply in what you're building. I didn’t aspire to be the CEO of just any company. I wanted to lead Depop and now Etsy because I believe in their missions and the people they serve. That conviction gives you resilience when the work gets hard and helps you navigate the difficult decisions every leader has to make.

Just as important is curiosity. The moment you think you have all the answers is probably the moment you stop growing. Staying curious about your customers, your colleagues, and the world around you helps you keep learning and becoming a better leader.

Who is a woman you admire?

It's hard to pick just one because there are so many women I admire for different reasons. I'd start with my mom. She has always been an example of grit and resilience. Growing up, my parents were small business owners, and I saw firsthand the hard work, perseverance, and optimism it takes to build something of your own. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my life and career.

I also admire women like Indra Nooyi and Padma Lakshmi who have been incredible advocates and role models - not only for the South Asian community, but for anyone who believes in using their platform to create opportunity, challenge the status quo, and lead with conviction.

Lastly, I’m inspired every day by the women entrepreneurs who build businesses on Etsy. Many are balancing families and countless responsibilities while pursuing their creativity and building something of their own. Their resilience, ingenuity, and determination are a constant reminder that leadership takes many forms.

What's one thing you can't live without?

I’ll give you two: 

A good cup of tea. It's a small ritual, but it's also a pause. Some of my best conversations, and some of my clearest thinking, happen over tea.

A sense of perspective. Family is what gives me that. No matter what's happening at work, spending time with the people I love reminds me what matters most.

What is one big trend you're excited about in 2026?

One trend I'm excited about is the return to analog. More people are carving out time to make things with their hands because they're looking for creativity and a sense of accomplishment. I particularly love the “analog bag” trend where people keep their favorite analog activities in one place. 

What's so powerful is that creativity doesn't just produce beautiful objects. It builds community too. People learn from one another, share ideas, and form real connections through the act of making. As our lives become increasingly digital, I think those moments of human connection will only become more valuable.

What book or film/show has been the most impactful in your career or life?

Brené Brown's work has had a real impact on how I think about leadership. Her writing on courage, vulnerability, and trust reinforced my belief that you don't have to choose between being authentic and being an effective leader. 

I also have to mention Ted Lasso. I watched it just before moving to London to lead Depop, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Beneath the humor is a powerful reminder that great leadership is built on resilience, teamwork, empathy, and kindness. Those lessons have stayed with me, along with a ‘Believe’ sign in my office.