Gauri Wagenaar brings over 30 years of creative expertise across the Netherlands and India. An art historian (M.A., Leiden University), she bridges cultures and corporate worlds, with fluency in six languages. Her career spans teaching, dictionary production, exhibition design, and restoring paper. For 15 years, she led the Dutch Government’s trade office in Ahmedabad, expanding its mission beyond trade. A pragmatic activist, she builds networks, advises non-profits, and champions “learning by doing,” applying creativity to navigate complex challenges in public and private sectors.

Sreejith Pathangalil of Dtale Décor shares his interesting journey into the world of luxe interiors – and more particularly furniture. The fine arts graduate turned designer turned entrepreneur started his first interiors fit-out store in 2015 in Kochi – with a vision to produce skilfully crafted and highquality furniture pieces for the Indian consumer. Dtale continues to push the boundaries of luxury furniture with the launch of its first showroom outside Kerala, in Bengaluru. Opened on October 5th, this flagship store is a celebration of the brand’s evolution, blending the finest aspects of craft and comfort into a single, immersive experience.