More about Pilar Orti
Pilar’s journey in leadership training and team development started at the beginning of the century. Having worked as a theatre practitioner and director of an independent theatre company, she discovered that many of the exercises used to build theatre ensembles were perfect for helping teams and managers reflect on their current practices and identify new ways of working together. Pilar set up Virtual not Distant in 2016, in order to facilitate the journey for managers, teams and organisations towards “office optional”. She has worked with small teams helping them set up their online ecosystems, delivered training both online and off, and piloted new ways of working.
Pilar is the host of the podcast “21st Century Work Life”, and co-host of “My Pocket Psych”. She is an Affiliate Member of the CIPD, a member of the International Association of Facilitators, and and alumnus of London’s Imperial College. She is also the voice of the Vroomster pilot Xuli in the BBC’s GoJetters.
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Featured speaker at previous eChai events:
Founders and startup folks who joined past eChai startup events
The eChai Effect - In Their Words
"After moving back from the USA, eChai became my go-to space to learn how the Indian startup ecosystem works. It offered direct exposure to startup thinking and a community that openly shares business insights. What stood out was how easy it was to connect, learn, and grow through real conversations. As we built our IT hardware rentals business, eChai helped us find our niche and refine our path. Proud and grateful to be part of this amazing community."
Heet Sheth
Growth and Tech, Sheth Info
"The eChai platform has been super valuable for me - it has helped me gain a deeper understanding of domains in the startup and tech ecosystem. What stands out most is the celebration of knowledge, professional growth, and entrepreneurship - it’s one of the best for the Indian ecosystem. Along the way, I’ve also been fortunate to make some great friendships and connections too."
Shalin (Shawn) Parikh
Founder, MyCPE One
"At DevX.Work, we’ve greatly benefited from our association with eChai. Their events and networking forums have connected us with high-potential startups, ecosystem leaders, and innovation-driven professionals — many of whom have become valuable partners, collaborators, and even clients. What stands out most is the openness and accessibility of the community — whether you're an early-stage founder or an experienced entrepreneur, eChai provides a welcoming space to learn, collaborate, and grow. It's more than just a network — it's a catalyst for real, collaborative growth. We’re proud to be part of the eChai community. Highly recommended for any organization aiming to grow within the startup space."
Umesh Uttamchandani
Co-Founder, DevX
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