Young Pros Spotlight
Ishita Dinger
What is your role / current company?
Market Strategy Consultant at Pip Consulting Group
If you could give one piece of advice to other Young Pros, what would it be?
I could give one piece of advice to other Young Pros, it would be to embrace failure as a vital part of our journey. Often, it’s the setbacks and challenges that teach us the most and shape our future successes. We need to trust the process, even when things seem unclear or daunting. Remember that every experience, no matter how strange or difficult, is a dot that will connect to create a bigger picture when we look back. Embrace the unknown, learn from every failure, and keep moving forward with confidence. The ARF Young Pros community is here to support us, so let’s take full advantage of the mentorship, resources, and connections available.
What is your greatest professional achievement?
My proudest professional accomplishment is being selected among the top 30 Indian youth for a fellowship with the United Nations. During this fellowship, I received training from UN diplomats and leaders from prominent nonprofits on various social issues. One of my key projects was developing a fully funded podcast addressing gaps in the healthcare industry in India. This podcast reached over 10,000 listeners on community radio and played a crucial role in fostering B2B partnerships between the UN, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and local cancer care support groups. These partnerships significantly enhanced pediatric cancer care in marginalized communities, providing much-needed support and resources.
What is your biggest professional challenge?
My biggest professional challenge came when I worked as a mental health therapist in community settings at the tender age of 20. I managed intense cases involving suicide, domestic violence, child marriage, and parents grieving the loss of a child to pediatric cancer. Handling such emotionally taxing situations required immense mental strength and resilience, often taking a toll on my own well-being. This experience taught me the importance of self-care, empathy, and the need for robust mental health support systems, shaping my approach to both personal and professional challenges.
How has being an ARF Young Pro Member impacted your career?
Being an ARF Young Pro member has significantly impacted my career by providing invaluable opportunities for networking, professional development, and industry insight. The exclusive events and workshops have expanded my knowledge of the latest trends and best practices, while connecting with like-minded peers and mentors has opened doors to new collaborations and career opportunities. The ARF Young Pros community has been a source of inspiration and motivation, helping me stay engaged and proactive in my professional growth.
Do you have a favorite campaign or activation? What made it stand out for you?
One of my favorite campaigns is Dove’s Real Beauty campaign. As a teenage girl growing up in India, I was constantly confronted with stringent beauty standards, which often left me feeling exhausted and self-conscious despite my busy schedule with school and extracurriculars. Dove’s campaign stood out to me because it challenged conventional beauty norms and promoted a more inclusive and realistic portrayal of beauty. It was incredibly empowering to see a brand embrace and celebrate diverse forms of beauty, which resonated deeply with my own experiences and helped me feel more confident in my skin.
What is one example of a company or brand that you think is doing a great job?
One example of a company that excels in creating a strong emotional connection is Disney. The brand masterfully evokes nostalgia through its classic animated films, iconic characters, and enchanting theme parks. Disney has the unique ability to spark childlike hope and excitement in adults, transporting them back to a time of joy and imagination. Whether through watching beloved movies or visiting its magical parks, Disney helps adults reconnect with their inner child, making it a standout example of a brand that leverages nostalgia to create lasting, positive experiences.
What is one thing you have seen on the Internet recently that made you smile? Work-related or otherwise? (PG 13!)
Recently, I saw a prank video where someone went to KFC, claimed they had ordered fries but received a whole raw potato instead, and the employees burst into laughter, saying it made their day. It was such a light-hearted and funny moment, and seeing the genuine amusement and camaraderie among the staff really made me smile. It’s great to witness how a simple, harmless, playful prank can brighten up people’s day and create a positive, shared experience.
Has mentorship played a role in your career journey? Anyone you want to give a shout out to? Include their name if you’re comfortable sharing!
Mentorship has been pivotal in my career journey, and I’d like to give a special shoutout to Eileen Wong, Senior Manager of Product Marketing at Walmart. When I first moved to the US for grad school and was transitioning from clinical psychology to marketing, Eileen was the first person to introduce me to the marketing field. Her guidance and support were instrumental as I navigated this new career path, helping me secure my first internship in market research and consumer insights with XR Guild, where I worked on a GenAI chatbot project with the co-founder of Google Earth. Eileen’s mentorship also played a crucial role in landing my first job as a digital marketing strategist at NYU. Her encouragement and insights have been invaluable in shaping my career.
What’s your dream job? (If money was no object, what would you do?)
If money were no object, my dream job would be to return to working in social services. I deeply cherished meeting new people and the profound satisfaction that came from my work. The biggest rewards were moments like seeing the funding I raised go towards special meals for children, hearing women from rural India express amazement at seeing a woman manage multiple projects and be financially independent, and receiving heartfelt blessings from older adults I worked with. Even though my salary was significantly less than my peers in college, the impact I made and the meaningful connections I formed made those 16-hour workdays incredibly rewarding.
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