Building Boldly: Anjalli Bhagia Sidhu, Founder & CEO of OMNISTARR on Leadership, Equity, and Empowering Talent
Q: Tell us your story. Where did you grow up and what inspired your interest in talent and entrepreneurship?
I grew up in India, in a household where both tradition and tenacity shaped my worldview. I began my career as a software professional in the late ’90s, but what really sparked my journey into talent and entrepreneurship was seeing how capable, skilled individuals—especially women—were often underestimated or overlooked.
Moving to the U.S. in 2005 was a turning point. I had just closed a business in India, and it felt like starting over. But that experience gave me a deep appreciation for second chances and the importance of creating platforms where others can rise too.
Over time, I shifted from coding to building talent ecosystems—because I realized my true passion wasn’t just solving problems through technology, but through people.
Q: Tell us more about Omnistarr and your vision for the company. How would you measure success?
I founded OMNISTARR in 2024 with a simple but powerful goal: to reimagine how we identify, engage, and uplift talent—especially in healthcare and tech. We’re a women-owned talent solutions company focused on closing workforce gaps while opening more doors for women, immigrants, and underrepresented professionals.
Success, to me, isn’t just about client wins or contract size. It’s about outcomes. Did we help someone restart a career after caregiving? Did we ensure a hospital teamcould serve a more diverse patient population? Did we create space for someone to lead who’s never been invited before? That’s what drives me. At Omnistarr, we measure success by lives touched, confidence restored, and voices amplified.
Q: You’ve spoken widely on the future of work. In your view, what’s the most exciting or misunderstood shift happening right now in how we hire and retain talent?
One of the biggest and most exciting shifts is the move toward skills-first and people-centered hiring. For a long time, we’ve evaluated talent through degrees, job titles, and narrow experience checklists. But the future is about capability over credentials.
What’s misunderstood is that flexibility and inclusion aren’t just buzzwords—they’re structural levers. People want more meaning, more mobility, and more balance. Employers who recognize that aren’t just adapting—they’re gaining a real edge. And when we truly make room at the table for diverse women and working parents, we don’t just check boxes—we unlock innovation.
Q: As a woman founder working across tech and HR, what has your journey taught you about leadership—and what advice would you offer other women launching their own ventures?
Leadership is not about being the loudest in the room—it’s about listening deeply and building intentionally. My journey has taught me that success as a woman leader often comes not in spite of your lived experiences, but because of them.
To other women: trust your instincts, and don’t shrink your ideas to fit someone else’s frame. Build boldly. Know your worth. Surround yourself with people who reflect your values, not just your goals. And when you rise, create ladders for others. I’m deeply passionate about bringing more women into decision-making roles—not just in staffing, but across every business vertical.
Q: And finally, what’s your next big dream?
My next big dream is to scale OMNISTARR into a global platform for equitable hiring—where AI meets empathy, and where workforce solutions are not just smart,but human-cantered. I also want to launch a women’s return-ship and mentorship accelerator, because I know firsthand that potential doesn’t expire, and ambition doesn’t end when life takes detours. Women deserve more than one shot—and I want to make sure they get it.