With over twenty years of high-level business management, growth and acquisition experience, Diana Wilson brings a wealth of strategic, financial and operational expertise to her consulting practice. Her passion is helping new entrepreneurs and established companies alike assess, manage and grow their businesses into financially successful and socially viable enterprises. Skilled in positioning companies for liquidity, Ms. Wilson is an expert in creating and implementing complex business processes at multiple points of a business's life cycle. In addition to a practical understanding of legal, financial and operational structural requirements, Ms. Wilson is in-tune with the more expansive necessity for a comprehensive review of the company, its product positioning and growth potential, and human capital requirements. Through her turn-around consulting, Ms. Wilson brings both sensitivity and lucidity to helping companies manage through challenging times towards profitability and long-term sustainability.
Prior to establishing her consulting practice, Diana Wilson served as CEO of Bargain Network, Inc., a Santa Barbara based direct marketing and internet company, where she was retained to grow the Company's revenues and profitability, streamline operations and maximize shareholder value. In that capacity, Ms. Wilson was instrumental in selling the Company to Vertrue Inc., (VTRU) a Norwalk, Conn. based consumer services marketing company, in a transaction valued in excess of $60 million. Post-transaction, she continued as CEO and later served as a transition and integration consultant.
Ms. Wilson was President, COO and CFO of Deckers Outdoor Corporation (Deck) (Ugg, Teva and Simple Footwear). She initially joined the Company as CFO, spearheading its successful IPO and later directing its M&A efforts including the acquisition of UGG boots. During her 10 years at Deckers, in her role as President and COO, Ms. Wilson was responsible for all aspects of strategic planning and operations including product marketing, design and development.
Ms. Wilson began her career with KPMG after graduating with a Business and Accounting Degree. She is a Certified Public Accountant.
Ms. Wilson has been active in the Santa Barbara business community, serving on the National Board of Directors for the Dream Foundation and as chair of the Development Committee, as Executive Director of the Central Coast Venture Forum, and as a member of the Audit & Finance committees of the Santa Barbara Foundation and the Dream Foundation. She was also a ten-year member of Young Presidents Organization, an international association of CEOS dedicated to helping each other, through peer support, lead their companies towards excellence. Ms. Wilson is a pianist, lives in Santa Barbara, CA and is currently working on her first novel.