From Stage Fright to AI Practice: How One Slack Session Changed Piyusha Pilania’s Career Forever

About Piyusha Pilania

Salesforce MVP | Salesforce Consulting Manager at Horizontal Digital

Piyusha Pilania is a Salesforce MVP and consultant at Horizontal Digital who proves that sometimes the most transformative moments come from the sessions you almost didn’t attend. What started as a simple curiosity about Slack capabilities at her first Dreamforce has evolved into a specialized practice that’s now helping clients reimagine their workflows with AI-powered automation. Based at Horizontal Digital, a Salesforce Partner, Piyusha has become a recognized voice in both the Slack and broader Salesforce ecosystem, delivering sessions across Dreamin events, World Tours, and TDX. Her journey from nervous first-time speaker to confident MVP showcases how authentic community engagement and genuine curiosity can unlock unexpected career paths.

Piyusha’s Journey Highlights:

🏆 Salesforce MVP recognition in 2025.

🎤 Delivering 5 sessions at Dreamforce 2025 across diverse topics.

🤖 Built first AI agent at Dreamforce, sparking Agentforce practice at Horizontal.

💬 Slack and Salesblazer Community Group Leader.

🌐 Delivered over a dozen Salesforce,Martech,AI,Data and Slack sessions at global events.

🏗️ Specializes in Marketing cloud,Sales cloud ,Agentforce and Slack.

🤝 Passionate advocate for authentic networking and community connections.

The Overwhelming Scale and That Perfect Green Screen Moment

Piyusha’s first Dreamforce experience hit her like a wave—in the best possible way.

“Walking in, I was hit by the scale—the mascots, the giant banners, the crowds, the buzz. It was a little overwhelming at first, but in the best way,” she recalls. But what made this first experience special wasn’t just the spectacle—it was getting to share her own voice on stage.

“The most exciting part was the chance to share my own voice on stage. I was nervous, yes, but the support of the audience made it feel special.” That nervous energy transformed into something magical when she found herself at the Salesforce Tower: “One particular moment etched in my memory is standing in front of a green screen, sharing my Trailblazer story. I felt like a star.”

There’s something beautifully human about that moment—standing in front of a green screen, probably feeling a little silly, but also genuinely excited about sharing your story with the community. It’s those unscripted moments that often become the memories that stick.

The Braindate That Changed Everything

While the green screen moment was memorable, Piyusha’s biggest “aha moment” came from something much smaller and more intimate: a braindate she hosted.

“I hosted one on the consulting mindset and was amazed at how it brought together Trailblazers from across the globe. In that small, intimate space, we exchanged ideas, shared challenges, and inspired each other. It made me realize that Dreamforce is not just about announcements—it is about creating human connections that fuel growth long after the event ends.”

This realization would prove prophetic. Some of the most significant developments in Piyusha’s career have stemmed from exactly these kinds of authentic human connections, proving that sometimes the most valuable part of a conference happens in the smallest rooms with the most genuine conversations.

When Reality Exceeds Even Big Expectations

Piyusha thought she knew what she was getting into with Dreamforce. She was wrong—but in the best way.

“I thought Dreamforce would be big, but I did not realize just how massive and full of energy it really is. I expected announcements and sessions, but what I actually got was so much more—endless networking events and receptions, cool stickers and Salesforce swag, late-night conversations with Trailblazers from all over the world, and of course Dreamfest, which felt like the perfect way to celebrate the week.”

But perhaps the most delightfully unexpected moment? “A funny surprise was getting completely lost on day one and stumbling into the Dreamstore—I left with my first Salesforce onesie for my son, it has a little Astro on it.”

Getting lost and ending up buying an Astro onesie for your kid—that’s the kind of authentic, unplanned moment that makes conferences memorable. It’s also a perfect reminder that sometimes the best discoveries happen when you’re not following your carefully planned agenda.

The Slack Session That Rewrote Her Career

If there’s one moment that defines Piyusha’s Dreamforce experience, it’s walking into a session called “10 Ways to Transform How You Work Using Slack.” She thought she knew Slack. She was about to discover she barely scratched the surface.

“I had been using Slack for a while, but I attended a session called ’10 Ways to Transform How You Work Using Slack’ and it completely opened my eyes. The session showed practical, real-world use cases for integrating Slack into everyday processes and connected the dots between collaboration, automation, and productivity.”

The key message that resonated? “Slack is not just a chat tool, it is a digital HQ that brings your people, processes, and systems together.”

That single session became the catalyst for a complete career pivot. “Since then, I have gone on to earn my Slack Admin and Consultant certifications, and today I help clients design Slack implementations and even complex Grid architectures. This one session fundamentally shifted my career focus and gave me a new area of expertise that I use daily.”

The ripple effects continue to this day: “Since then I have delivered over a dozen Slack focused sessions at local community events, Dreamin events, World Tours and TDX.”

It’s a perfect example of how the right session at the right time can unlock a completely new career trajectory. Piyusha didn’t go to Dreamforce looking to become a Slack specialist—but that’s exactly what happened.

High-Level Connections, Deep Impact

Dreamforce 2024 wasn’t just about sessions for Piyusha—it was about the people she met and the conversations that shaped her thinking.

“I had the privilege of meeting leaders like Denise Dresser, Parker Harris, and Ryan Gavin—each conversation was inspiring in its own way. I also spent a lot of time with my Slack community peers, which reinforced the idea that Slack was becoming a bigger part of my professional journey.”

But it was the True to the Core sessions that gave her valuable insights as someone working closely with Salesforce partners. These partner-focused sessions provided the kind of strategic perspective that you can only get at Dreamforce.

The community connections proved just as valuable: “I got to meet many of my nonprofit peers from Commons Sprints and Community Cove in real life, which gave me a stronger sense of belonging and purpose.”

Friendships That Cross Continents

Among all the connections Piyusha made at Dreamforce, two stand out as particularly meaningful and career-shaping.

“One was with Nicole Pomponio, a fellow Slack Chapter Leader. Even though we live on opposite sides of the world, we connected instantly. What started as a casual conversation about Slack leadership quickly grew into a friendship. We continue to exchange ideas, share experiences, and support each other’s journeys. I’m genuinely proud to call her my friend.”

The second connection happened during a braindate with Natalie, focusing on “the idea of building a consulting mindset, not just for consultants but for Salesforce admins too. That discussion sparked something big—I’m now collaborating with the Salesforce team on a blog about this very topic.”

Both connections illustrate something important about Dreamforce networking: the best relationships aren’t transactional. They’re built on genuine shared interests and mutual support, and they continue to evolve long after the conference ends.

The Community That Built a Career

For Piyusha, the Salesforce community isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s been the foundation of her entire professional growth.

“The Salesforce community has been the single biggest driver of my professional growth. Long before I attended Dreamforce in person, I leaned on the community through Trailblazer groups, Commons sprints, and volunteering for nonprofits.”

What sets this community apart? “What sets this community apart is that it never feels transactional. People genuinely want to help each other succeed, and that environment has empowered me to grow into new roles, explore new career paths, and even become a speaker at global events.”

The result is clear: “Without the Salesforce community, I would not be where I am today.”

As a Slack and Salesblazer Community Group Leader, Piyusha has experienced both sides of this equation—receiving support and providing it to others, creating that virtuous cycle that makes the Salesforce ecosystem so unique.

A Networking Philosophy Built on Authenticity

Piyusha’s approach to networking reflects someone who understands that the best connections happen naturally, not through forced interactions.

“My strategy is simple: focus on genuine connections over business cards. I never approach networking as selling; instead, I show up curious about people and their stories.”

Her favorite networking spots at Dreamforce reflect this philosophy: “Community Cove networking sessions to more relaxed activities like LEGO building, mindful meetups, and zen spaces. These settings make it easier to connect with like-minded Trailblazers in a natural way.”

The key insight? “I also believe in bringing my authentic self. When you stop trying to copy others and instead lean into your own personality, people connect with the real you—and those connections tend to last.”

Her bottom line: “At Dreamforce, it is not about how many people you meet, it is about the quality of conversations you have. That’s where the magic happens.”

From Dreamforce Demo to Business Practice

The business impact of Piyusha’s Dreamforce experience goes beyond networking and learning—it directly shaped new service offerings at Horizontal Digital.

“Dreamforce 2024 directly shaped my work by giving me hands-on exposure to Agentforce. I built my very first AI agent there, which became the spark for starting the Agentforce practice at Horizontal.”

That single demo experience has had lasting impact: “Since then, our team has delivered several Agentforce proofs of concept for clients, helping them reimagine processes with AI-powered automation.”

She’s quick to share specific examples: “Since then, our team has successfully delivered multiple POCs, including AI-driven customer verification flows and refund process automation, helping clients improve efficiency and prepare for enterprise-scale adoption of Agentforce.”

It’s a perfect example of how hands-on experiences at Dreamforce can translate directly into new business capabilities and client value.

Looking Ahead: Five Sessions and a Rebirth

For Dreamforce 2025, Piyusha is stepping into an even bigger role as a content creator and thought leader.

“I am most excited about immersing myself in the community and experiencing the rebirth of the Well-Architected program. As someone passionate about building scalable and thoughtful solutions, I see this as a great opportunity to sharpen my architect skills and learn directly from experts in the field.”

But she’s not just attending—she’s contributing in a major way: “I am also thrilled to be delivering five sessions this year, covering a wide range of topics from Lightning Web Components to Slack, Trailhead, Salesforce channels, and community-focused conversations.”

Her goal reflects her community-first philosophy: “My goal is not just to share knowledge, but also to spark discussions, exchange ideas, and walk away inspired by the incredible energy that Dreamforce always brings.”

Practical Wisdom from Someone Who’s Walked Miles

Piyusha’s advice for first-time Dreamforce attendees is refreshingly practical and specific.

Her number one tip: “Pack comfy clothes and shoes—you’ll be walking a lot! I also recommend bringing trail mixes or snacks to keep your energy up between sessions. If you ever feel overwhelmed, Salesforce provides Zen rooms where you can relax and recharge.”

On preparation: “Start by walking and exercising at least a month in advance—if you are anything like me you’ll easily walk 8–10 miles a day at Dreamforce!”

Her biggest mistake warning comes with street-smart advice: “The biggest mistake is overpacking your agenda with too many sessions. It’s tempting to attend everything, but you’ll quickly feel overwhelmed. Remember that many Salesforce led sessions are available later on Salesforce+, so you don’t have to see them live. Instead, prioritize unique experiences—like community-led sessions, networking events, and braindates—that you can only truly get at Dreamforce.”

And a practical safety note: “Do not carry your valuables with you, San Francisco streets are not safe. Try not to carry too much in your bag and your back will thank you for this.”

The Hidden Gem Experiences

Piyusha’s recommendations for must-not-miss experiences go beyond the obvious sessions and keynotes.

“Do not miss the product and role-specific keynotes—they are packed with insights into Salesforce’s roadmap. True to the Core sessions are also a must, as they give you direct access to product leaders.”

But her favorite recommendations are more personal: “I highly recommend attending braindates too, where you’ll make genuine one-on-one connections with fellow Trailblazers. And if you admire someone in the ecosystem, don’t hesitate to reach out and meet them in person—it could spark lifelong friendships.”

And if you know someone at Salesforce: “If you know a Salesforce employee, visit the Ohana Floor at the Salesforce Tower. The views of San Francisco are breathtaking!”

The Continuing Evolution

Piyusha’s Dreamforce story is still being written. From that first nervous moment on stage to building her first AI agent to delivering five sessions at Dreamforce 2025, her journey illustrates how authentic community engagement and genuine curiosity can create opportunities you never expected.

Her career trajectory—from consultant curious about Slack to recognized specialist delivering sessions at global events—shows how one session, one connection, one authentic conversation can change everything.

But perhaps most importantly, her approach to the Salesforce community—leading with authenticity, focusing on genuine connections, and always being willing to both learn and share—demonstrates the mindset that turns conference attendance into career transformation.

Whether you’re preparing for your first Dreamforce or your fifth, Piyusha’s story reminds us that the most valuable experiences often come from the sessions you’re curious about, the people you’re genuinely interested in meeting, and the willingness to let serendipity guide you to unexpected opportunities.

Sometimes the best career advice is simple: pack comfortable shoes, bring snacks, stay curious, and be authentically yourself. The rest will follow.