Data Product Management in Action: The Practitioner's Podcast

Welcome to The Data Product Management Podcast, where the complexities of product management in the realm of data are unlocked with expertise from practitioners, and only practitioners. Tired of the struggle to find practical insights amidst the chaos? This podcast is your reliable source for candid discussions with real professionals who navigate the data product landscape daily. Our podcast dives into the trenches of data product management, exploring everything from for AI/ML, data products, data platforms, BI, and beyond. Through engaging interviews, we uncover the nuts and bolts of product discovery, prioritization, cultural change management, and stakeholder alignment. Forget the abstract theories; tune in to hear the hard-won insights of hands-on practitioners. Data product management may be challenging, but with this podcast and its guidance, it's about to become a lot less confusing. Tune in and let's navigate the data-driven future together.

S1 Ep#29 : Navigating Trade-Offs and Balancing Priorities 01/29/2025

S1 Ep#29 : Navigating Trade-Offs and Balancing Priorities Season 1 Episode 29: Navigating Trade-Offs and Balancing Priorities The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. In this episode of Data Product Management in Action, host Alexa Westlake talks with Anita Chen, diving into the complexities of managing data products. Anita, a product manager at PagerDuty, shares her approach to defining data products, prioritizing work, and balancing project work with interrupt-driven tasks. They discuss the critical roles of governance, security, and user enablement while emphasizing the importance of transparency and communication. The conversation also explores the transformative potential of generative AI in data product interactions and the build-vs-buy decision-making process. Gain insights into how data product management uniquely differs from traditional software product management and learn actionable strategies for success. Meet our Host Alexa Westlake: Alexa is a Data Analytics Leader in the Identity and Access Management space with a proven track record scaling high-growth SaaS companies. As a Staff Data Analyst at Okta, she brings a wealth of expertise in enterprise data, business intelligence, and strategic decision-making from the various industries she's worked in including telecommunications, strategy execution, and cloud computing. With a passion for harnessing the power of data for actionable insights, Alexa plays a crucial role in driving Okta's security, growth, and scale, helping the organization leverage data to execute on their market opportunity. . Meet our guest Anita Chen: Anita is a Data Product Manager at PagerDuty, a digital operations company helping teams resolve issues faster, eliminate alert fatigue, and build more reliable services! Her background is mainly in the People Analytics space which has now expanded to data at scale with our Enterprise Data Team. She currently helps build data products that enable our teams to deliver the best possible customer experience. Anita is most passionate about how data can impact someone's lived experience and endeavor to democratize data in everything she builds. . All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. . Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights! /episode/index/show/4f311290-4db0-4601-9160-40cdac26d6e7/id/34334520

S1 Ep#28 Introducing Host Alexa Westlake 01/29/2025

S1 Ep#27: Special 25th Episode Release Celebration Minisode Pt.2 01/22/2025

S1 Ep#27: Special 25th Episode Release Celebration Minisode Pt.2 The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. In the 25th celebration minisode of Data Product Management in Action, hosts Frannie Helforoush and Nadiem von Heydebrand reflect on the progress of data product management in 2024. They highlight the growing clarity and recognition of the field, the rise of AI product management, and the importance of thoughtful integration without succumbing to overhype. The episode revisits key 2024 discussions on building data platforms, decision support products, and data mesh implementation. Looking forward to 2025, they foresee increased interest and adoption, emphasizing the field's potential for driving organizational value. Frannie and Nadiem express excitement for future episodes and community contributions. About our Host Nadiem von Heydebrand: Nadiem is CEO and Co-Founder at . In 2019, he combined his passion for data science with product management and is a thought leader for data product management today, aiming to prove true value contribution from data. Working as an expert in the data industry for over a decade now, he has seen hundreds of data science initiatives, built scaled data teams and enabled global organizations like Volkswagen, Munich Re, Allianz, Red Bull, Vorwerk to become data-driven. With Mindfuel “Delight”, a Data Product Management SaaS solution combined with professional services, he brought in experience from hands-on challenges like scaling out data platforms and architecture, implementing data mesh concepts or transforming AI performance into business performance to delight consumers all over the globe. About our Host Frannie Helforoush: From coding to crafting customer-centric products, my journey began as a software engineer and evolved into a strategic product manager. With an innate curiosity for problem-solving, I fuse my expertise in data and product management to create impactful solutions as a data product manager now. With a background in both software engineering and product management, I seamlessly bridge the gap between the data and product worlds. I thrive on making data accessible and actionable for driving product innovation and ensuring that product thinking is applied to every aspect of data management. All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. . Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights! /episode/index/show/4f311290-4db0-4601-9160-40cdac26d6e7/id/34882240

S1 Ep#26: Special 25th Episode Release Celebration Minisode 01/15/2025

S1 Ep#26: Special 25th Episode Release Celebration Minisode The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. In this special minisode celebrating the podcast's 25th episode milestone, hosts Michael Toland and Amritha Arun Babu reflect on their journey so far. They share the key lessons they've learned, moments they've enjoyed, and their excitement for the future of data product management. From insights into AI and ML to the importance of building strong data communities and infrastructure, this episode highlights the most impactful themes and sets the stage for what’s to come in 2025. About our Host Michael Toland: Michael is a Product Management Coach and Consultant with Pathfinder Product, a Test Double Operation. He has worked in product officially since 2016, where he worked at Verizon on large scale system modernizations and migration initiatives for reference data and decision platforms. Outside of his professional career, Michael serves as the Treasurer for the New Leaders Council, mentors fellows with Venture for America, sings in the Columbus Symphony, writing satire posts for his blog or Test Double, depending on the topic, and is excited to be chatting with folks on Data Product Management. . About our Host Amritha Arun Babu Mysore: Amritha is an accomplished Product Leader with over a decade of experience building and scaling products across AI platforms, supply chain systems, and enterprise workflows in industries such as e-commerce, AI/ML, and marketing automation. At Amazon, she led machine learning platform products powering recommendation and personalization engines, building tools for model experimentation, deployment, and monitoring that improved efficiency for 1,500+ ML scientists. At Wayfair, she managed international supply chain systems, overseeing contracts, billing, product catalogs, and vendor operations, delivering cost savings and optimizing large-scale workflows. At Klaviyo, she drives both AI infrastructure and customer-facing AI tools, including recommendation engines, content generation assistants, and workflow automation agents, enabling scalable and personalized marketing workflows. Earlier, she worked on enterprise systems and revenue operations workflows, focusing on cost optimization and process improvements in complex technical environments. Amritha excels at bridging technical depth with strategic clarity, leading cross-functional teams, and delivering measurable business outcomes across diverse domains. . All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. . Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights! . /episode/index/show/4f311290-4db0-4601-9160-40cdac26d6e7/id/34719155

S1 Ep#25: Revolutionizing Social Media Management 12/11/2024

S1 Ep#25: Revolutionizing Social Media Management The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. This episode of Data Product Management in Action, host Michael Toland sits down with Max Fritzhand, the creator of , to explore how he turned a simple frustration into a powerful platform for managing social media on Threads. Max discusses leveraging machine learning, navigating API challenges, and engaging users to create a feature-rich tool that offers analytics, content suggestions, and optimal posting times. A must-listen for innovators and product managers alike! About our host Michael Toland: Michael is a Product Management Coach and Consultant with Pathfinder Product, a Test Double Operation. Since 2016, Michael has worked on large-scale system modernizations and migration initiatives at Verizon. Outside his professional career, Michael serves as the Treasurer for the New Leaders Council, mentors with Venture for America, sings with the Columbus Symphony, and writes satire for his blog Dignified Product. He is excited to discuss data product management with the podcast audience. . About our guest Max Fritzhand: Max is a software engineer and entrepreneur based in Cincinnati, Ohio, with a passion for innovation and automation. With a background in developing user-centric tools, he’s built projects like Bolta to simplify social media management and empower creators. Known for his drive to achieve financial independence, he explores investment opportunities and strives to build impactful, scalable solutions. A creative thinker with ADHD, Max channels his energy into solving complex problems and building a fulfilling work-life balance. . All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. . Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights! /episode/index/show/4f311290-4db0-4601-9160-40cdac26d6e7/id/34327245

S1 Ep#24: Product at the Core: Managing Data, AI, and ML 11/20/2024

S1 Ep#24: Product at the Core: Managing Data, AI, and ML The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. In Episode 24 of Data Product Management in Action, our host Nick Zervoudis is joined byTefi Trabuchi, Data Platform Product Manager at SumUp, to discuss her experience transforming a reactive data platform team into a user-focused, strategy-driven powerhouse. Tefi shares how she tackled challenges like burnout, prioritization struggles, and resistance to product practices such as user research and OKRs. She highlights the pivotal role of user interviews in shifting mindsets and the delicate balance between reducing risk, ensuring compliance, and driving innovation. Tefi also emphasizes the value of clear communication and curiosity when working in highly technical domains. This episode offers practical insights for product managers navigating the complexities of data, AI, and machine learning. About our host Nick Zervoudis: Nick is Head of Product at CKDelta, an AI software business within the CKHutchison Holdings group. Nick oversees a portfolio of data products and works with sister companies to uncover new opportunities to innovate using data,analytics, and machine learning.Nick's career has revolved around data and advanced analytics from day one,having worked as an analyst, consultant, product manager, and instructor for startups, SMEs, and enterprises including PepsiCo, Sainsbury's, Lloyds BankingGroup, IKEA, Capgemini Invent, BrainStation, QuantSpark, and Hg Capital. Nick is also the co-host ofLondon's Data Product Management meetup, andspeaks & writes regularly about data & AI product management. . About our guest Tefi Trabuchi:Tefi is a Data Platform Product Manager at SumUp, where she focuses on making sure our data tools are not only secure and efficient but also provide a smooth user experience for our internal teams. Before this, she led the development of an in-house Data Observability tool at Glovo, introducing governance rules and SLAs for key datasets. Tefi enjoys working closely with teams to create practical solutions that make accessing and using data easier and more intuitive, so everyone can make more informed decisions faster. . All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. . Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights! /episode/index/show/4f311290-4db0-4601-9160-40cdac26d6e7/id/33997087

S1 Ep#23 Building a Data Mesh 11/20/2024

S1 Ep#23 Building a Data Mesh Building a Data Mesh The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. In Episode 23 of Data Product Management in Action, our host Frannie Helforoush is joined by Soheil Mirchi, a technical product manager. Soheil discusses his company’s shift from a centralized data lake to a decentralized data mesh architecture. He outlines the three types of data products—source-aligned, aggregated, and customer-facing—and highlights the importance of data contracts and testing. Learn about strategies for measuring success through metrics and customer feedback, along with lessons on starting small and fostering data democratization. Tune in for essential insights on effective data management! About our host Frannie Helforoush: Frannie's journey began as a software engineer and evolved into a strategic product manager. Now, as a data product manager, she leverages her expertise in both fields to create impactful solutions. Frannie thrives on making data accessible and actionable, driving product innovation, and ensuring product thinking is integral to data management. About our guest Soheil Mirchi :Soheil is a Technical Product Manager at Temedica, a health insights company focused on transforming complex healthcare and pharmaceutical data into actionable insights. Leading a team of data engineers, scientists, and analysts, Soheil drives the development of cutting-edge data products while guiding the company’s transition to a data mesh architecture. He is passionate about empowering teams with the autonomy to manage their own data products and believes in a collaborative approach to driving innovation in the health tech space. All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. . Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights! /episode/index/show/4f311290-4db0-4601-9160-40cdac26d6e7/id/33706202

S1 Ep#22 Data Dynamics: Navigating the Role of Data Product Managers 11/13/2024

S1 Ep#22 Data Dynamics: Navigating the Role of Data Product Managers Data Dynamics: Navigating the Role of Data Product Managers The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. In Episode 22 of Data Product Management in Action, we welcome back our host Michael Toland as he chats with guest Chandan Gadodia. Listen along as they explore the vital role of data product managers. Discover the distinctions between data, IT, and functional product managers and their contributions to product success. Learn more about key focus areas like data pipelines, quality, and standards, as well as the role of AI in enhancing data quality. Join us for an enlightening discussion on the evolving landscape of data management! About our host Michael Toland: Toland is a Product Management Coach and Consultant with Pathfinder Product, aTest Double Operation. He has worked in product officially since 2016, where he worked at Verizon on large scale system modernizations and migration initiatives for reference data and decision platforms. Outside of his professional career, Michael serves as the Treasurer for the New Leaders Council, mentors fellows with Venture for America, sings in the Columbus Symphony, writes satire posts for his blog Dignified Productor Test Double, depending on the topic, and is excited to be chatting with folks on Data Product Management. Connect with Michael on . About our guest Chadan Gadodia: With over a decade serving in data and analytics, Chandan Gadodia, a seasoned Data Product Manager, has held several roles within the industry. From managing internal data assets to overseeing global data products, Chandan's passion for learning from diverse perspectives, connecting with global colleagues, and contributing to growth for himself and his organization has been constant. He is a big advocate for data literacy and strongly believes in data driven business outcomes. Connect with Chadan on . All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. . Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights! /episode/index/show/4f311290-4db0-4601-9160-40cdac26d6e7/id/33584682

S1 Ep#21 Navigating AI in Data Product Management 10/22/2024

S1 Ep#21 Navigating AI in Data Product Management The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. In Episode 21 of Data Product Management in Action, Frannie Helforoush interviews Lucca Kazan, a senior AI product manager about Navigating AI in Data Product Management. Luca shares insights from his work on innovative data products. He shares insights about search and personalization engines, facial recognition systems, and anti-fraud solutions. He’ll explore the relationship between AI and data product management and challenges in the discovery phase and the importance of stakeholder management. Tune in to discover how understanding AI technology can enhance user-focused product development! About our host Frannie Helforoush: Frannie's journey began as a software engineer and evolved into a strategic product manager. Now, as a data product manager, she leverages her expertise in both fields to create impactful solutions. Frannie thrives on making data accessible and actionable, driving product innovation, and ensuring product thinking is integral to data management. About our guest Lucca Kazan: Seasoned Artificial Intelligence Product Manager, with over 9 years of experience in product strategy and 5 years in AI development. By leveraging AI aligned with business goals Lucca has been able to increase EBITDA by 7 digits (USD/ year) for the biggest food delivery app in Latin America, reduce user drop-off by 83% for the biggest facial recognition company in Brazil and reduced frau by 87% (8 digits in monthly savings) for the biggest food delivery app in Brazil! Connect with Lucca on . All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. . Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights! /episode/index/show/4f311290-4db0-4601-9160-40cdac26d6e7/id/33349547

S1 Ep#20 Navigating the Data Landscape 10/16/2024

S1 Ep#20 Navigating the Data Landscape The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. In Season 01, Episode 20, Nick is back and this time he is chatting with Ganesh Prasad. They dive into Ganesh's background as a data product manager and his journey from data science to product management. The discussion leads into the differences between internal and external products, the importance of user interviews and discovery, and the challenges and advantages of working in big tech and financial industries. Follow along as Ganesh shares some valuable tips and explains the importance of having a product mindset. About our host Nick Zervoudis: Nick is Head of Product at CKDelta, an AI software business within the CK Hutchison Holdings group. Nick oversees a portfolio of data products and works with sister companies to uncover new opportunities to innovate using data, analytics, and machine learning. Nick's career has revolved around data and advanced analytics from day one, having worked as an analyst, consultant, product manager, and instructor for startups, SMEs, and enterprises including PepsiCo, Sainsbury's, Lloyds Banking Group, IKEA, Capgemini Invent, BrainStation, QuantSpark, and Hg Capital. Nick is also the co-host of , and speaks and writes regularly about data and AI product management. Connect with Nick on . About our guest Ganesh Prasad: Ganesh is a Senior Product Lead in the Data Analytics division at Salesforce, bringing over 5 years of experience in data product management from both Salesforce and Mastercard. He has a proven track record of successfully launching and scaling products that meet customer needs. Ganesh has successfully managed and developed analytics, ML, and AI products across various domains, including marketing analytics, fraud detection, revenue forecasting, and platform optimization. Transitioning from a data scientist to a product manager, Ganesh is passionate about the intersection of data and product development. He leads the PM Community of Practice for the Data Analytics division at Salesforce and dedicates his spare time to mentoring others in the field. Connect with Ganesh on . All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. . Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights! /episode/index/show/4f311290-4db0-4601-9160-40cdac26d6e7/id/33347477

S1 Ep#19 Mastering Data Product Management 10/09/2024

S1 Ep#19 Mastering Data Product Management The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. In Season 01, Episode 19, host Nadiem von Heydebrand interviews Pradeep Fernando, who leads the data and metadata management initiative at Swisscom. They explore key topics in data product management, including the definition and categorization of data products, the role of AI, prioritization strategies, and the application of product management principles. Pradeep shares valuable insights and experiences on successfully implementing data product management within organizations. About our host Nadiem von Heydebrand: Nadiem is the CEO and Co-Founder of Mindfuel. In 2019, he merged his passion for data science with product management, becoming a thought leader in data product management. Nadiem is dedicated to demonstrating the true value contribution of data. With over a decade of experience in the data industry, Nadiem leverages his expertise to scale data platforms, implement data mesh concepts, and transform AI performance into business performance, delighting consumers at global organizations that include Volkswagen, Munich Re, Allianz, Red Bull, and Vorwerk. About our guest Pradeep Fernando: Pradeep is a seasoned data product leader with over 6 years of data product leadership experience and over 10 years of product management experience. He leads or is a key contributor to several company-wide data & analytics initiatives at Swisscom such as Data as a Product (Data Mesh), One Data Platform, Machine Learning (Factory), MetaData management, Self-service data & analytics, BI Tooling Strategy, Cloud Transformation, Big Data platforms,and Data warehousing. Previously, he was a product manager at both Swisscom's B2B and Innovation units both building new products and optimizing mature products (profitability) in the domains of enterprise mobile fleet management, cyber-and mobile device security.Pradeep is also passionate about and experienced in leading the development of data products and transforming IT delivery teams into empowered, agile product teams. And, he is always happy to engage in a conversation about lean product management or "heavier" topics such as humanity's future or our past. . All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. . Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights! /episode/index/show/4f311290-4db0-4601-9160-40cdac26d6e7/id/33204407

S1 Ep#18 Enhancing Decision-Making with Data Products 10/02/2024

S1 Ep#18 Enhancing Decision-Making with Data Products Show Notes The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. In Season 01, Episode 18, our host Frannie Helforoush is back again interviewing Katy Pusch about her extensive experience in data product management, particularly with decision-support data products. Katy shares her insights on incorporating machine learning and analytics to empower stakeholders in making informed decisions. They both explore team structure, the challenges encountered in product development, and the critical importance of validating products with users to ensure their effectiveness. About our host Frannie's journey began as a software engineer and evolved into a strategic product manager. Now, as a data product manager, she leverages her expertise in both fields to create impactful solutions. Frannie thrives on making data accessible and actionable, driving product innovation, and ensuring product thinking is integral to data management. About our guest Katy Pusch: Katy brings more than a decade of experience in product management and market strategy, driving market change and adoption of innovative technology solutions. She has successfully built and launched data products, IoT solutions, and SaaS platforms in multiple industries such as healthcare, education, and real estate. She is currently serving as a Sr.Product Line Director at . With a background in research, she brings data science and market intelligence to every aspect of her work. Katy is passionate about data privacy and tech-ethics, and is pursuing an MS in History and Sociology of Technology and Science at GeorgiaTech. When she’s not working with her team to deliver top solutions, Katy enjoys spending time with her husband, building Lego models, and pursuing a private pilot license. . All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. . Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights! /episode/index/show/4f311290-4db0-4601-9160-40cdac26d6e7/id/33209992

S1 Ep#16 Meet A New Host: Nick Zervoudis 09/25/2024

S1 Ep#17 The Non-linear Path to Product Management 09/25/2024

S1 Ep#17 The Non-linear Path to Product Management The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. In Season 01, Episode 17, host Nick Zervoudis ( Head of Product at CKDelta) talks to Grace Halim (Product Manager with Power Digital Marketing). In this episode Grace shares her career journey and highlights the importance of diverse experiences in shaping a successful product manager. She discusses the value of empathy, strong relationships with engineering and data teams, and the role of curiosity in asking the right questions. Listen to Grace as she shares her plans for a career break to explore new projects! About our host Nick Zervoudis: Nick is Head of Product at CKDelta, an AI software business within the CK Hutchison Holdings group. Nick oversees a portfolio of data products and works with sister companies to uncover new opportunities to innovate using data, analytics, and machine learning. Nick's career has revolved around data and advanced analytics from day one, having worked as an analyst, consultant, product manager, and instructor for startups, SMEs, and enterprises including PepsiCo, Sainsbury's, Lloyds Banking Group, IKEA, Capgemini Invent, BrainStation, QuantSpark, and Hg Capital. Nick is also the co-host of , and speaks & writes regularly about data & AI product management. Connect with Nick on . About our guest Grace Halim: Grace is a seasoned product leader with a passion for building innovative products. With over 12 years of product management experience, Grace has honed her skills in leading high-performing product teams and delivering exceptional customer experiences. From crafting engaging data products to optimizing complex enterprise systems, Grace has a proven track record of success in the product management field. Grace is currently on a career break traveling around Australia in a caravan with her young family. Having been a product leader in the last two roles she held, Grace excelled in building and scaling product teams, fostering a culture of innovation, and driving business growth. Her teams' focus on customer focus and strategic thinking have been instrumental in delivering successful products that resonate with customers and drive bottom-line results. Beyond her corporate experience, Grace is an entrepreneur at heart. As co-founder of a data platform, she demonstrated her ability to turn a vision into a paying customer. Stay up to date with Grace’s adventure on . All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. . Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights! /episode/index/show/4f311290-4db0-4601-9160-40cdac26d6e7/id/33197932

The Minisodes, Live from Data Connect 2024: In Conversation with Morgan Templar 08/14/2024

The Minisodes, Live from Data Connect 2024: In Conversation with Morgan Templar The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. We've released a special edition series of minisodes of our podcast. Recorded live at Data Connect 2024, our host Michael Toland engages in short, sweet, informative, and delightful conversations with five prevelant practitioners who are forging their way forward in data and technology. Recorded on Day 2 of Data Connect 2024, Michael chats with Morgan Templar, CEO at First CDO Partners, to explore how her organization empowers companies to truly understand their data and leverage it to achieve their goals. Morgan delves into the strategies that help businesses not only comprehend the value of their data but also monetize it effectively. This conversation builds on a topic that piqued Michael’s interest last year—understanding the tangible value of data and how it can be a game-changer for organizations. About our host Michael Toland: Michael is a Product Management Coach and Consultant with Pathfinder Product, a Test Double Operation. Since 2016, Michael has worked on large-scale system modernizations and migration initiatives at Verizon. Outside his professional career, Michael serves as the Treasurer for the New Leaders Council, mentors with Venture for America, sings with the Columbus Symphony, and writes satire for his blog Dignified Product. He is excited to discuss data product management with the podcast audience. . About our guest Morgan Templar: Morgan is a data executive with over 20 years of experience in managing and transforming data assets. She is the best-selling author of two books, Get Governed and A Culture of Governance, which reflect her deep commitment to creating a better world through improved information. Morgan is passionate about evangelizing the importance and value of getting data right, believing that better data leads to better lives. Her mission is simple yet profound: to make the world a better place for at least one person each day, with data playing a foundational role in enhancing our daily experiences. . All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. . Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights! /episode/index/show/4f311290-4db0-4601-9160-40cdac26d6e7/id/32393832

The Minisodes, Live from Data Connect 2024: In Conversation with Vishakha Gupta-Cledat 08/14/2024

The Minisodes, Live from Data Connect 2024: In Conversation with Vishakha Gupta-Cledat The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. We've released a special edition series of minisodes of our podcast. Recorded live at Data Connect 2024, our host Michael Toland engages in short, sweet, informative, and delightful conversations with five prevelant practitioners who are forging their way forward in data and technology. Recorded on Day 2 of Data Connect 2024, Michael sits down with Vishaka Gupta-Cledat, CEO and co-founder of Aperture, a spin-off from Intel. They explore Aperture's mission to simplify the work of data scientists, data engineers, and machine learning teams. About our host Michael Toland: Michael is a Product Management Coach and Consultant with Pathfinder Product, a Test Double Operation. Since 2016, Michael has worked on large-scale system modernizations and migration initiatives at Verizon. Outside his professional career, Michael serves as the Treasurer for the New Leaders Council, mentors with Venture for America, sings with the Columbus Symphony, and writes satire for his blog Dignified Product. He is excited to discuss data product management with the podcast audience. About our guest Vishaka Gupta-Cledat: Vishaka is the Co-founder and CEO of ApertureData. Before launching ApertureData, she spent over seven years at Intel Labs, where she led the design and development of VDMS (the Visual Data Management System), which is now the foundation of ApertureData’s flagship product, ApertureDB. Her expertise spans diverse areas, including scheduling in heterogeneous multi-core environments, graph-based storage, applications on non-volatile memory systems, and tackling visual data management challenges for analytics use cases. . All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. . Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights! /episode/index/show/4f311290-4db0-4601-9160-40cdac26d6e7/id/32393732

The Minisodes, Live from Data Connect 2024: In Conversation with Jean-Georges Perrin 08/07/2024

The Minisodes, Live from Data Connect 2024: In Conversation with Jean-Georges Perrin The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. We've released a special edition series of minisodes of our podcast. Recorded live at Data Connect 2024, our host Michael Toland engages in short, sweet, informative, and delightful conversations with five prevelant practitioners who are forging their way forward in data and technology. <LOREM IPSUM - EPISODE> About our host Michael Toland: Michael is a Product Management Coach and Consultant with Pathfinder Product, a Test Double Operation. Since 2016, Michael has worked on large-scale system modernizations and migration initiatives at Verizon. Outside his professional career, Michael serves as the Treasurer for the New Leaders Council, mentors with Venture for America, sings with the Columbus Symphony, and writes satire for his blog Dignified Product. He is excited to discuss data product management with the podcast audience. About our guest Jean-Georges Perrin: Jean-Georges “jgp” Perrin is the Chief Innovation Officer at AbeaData, where he focuses on developing cutting-edge data tooling. He chairs the Open Data Contract Standard (ODCS) at the Linux Foundation's Bitol project, co-founded the AIDA User Group, and has authored several influential books, including Implementing Data Mesh (O'Reilly) and Spark in Action, 2nd Edition (Manning). With over 25 years in IT, Jean-Georges is recognized as a Lifetime IBM Champion, a PayPal Champion, and a Data Mesh MVP. His expertise spans data engineering, governance, and the industrialization of data science. Outside of tech, he enjoys exploring Upstate New York and New England with his family. . All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. . Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights! /episode/index/show/4f311290-4db0-4601-9160-40cdac26d6e7/id/32394072

The Minisodes, Live from Data Connect 2024: In Conversation with Lindsay Murphy 08/07/2024

The Minisodes, Live from Data Connect 2024: In Conversation with Lindsay Murphy The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. We've released a special edition series of minisodes of our podcast. Recorded live at Data Connect 2024, our host Michael Toland engages in short, sweet, informative, and delightful conversations with five prevelant practitioners who are forging their way forward in data and technology. In this minisode, Michael reconnects with his former colleague Lindsay Murphy as she delves into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of data management—cost containment. Lindsay's session at Data Connect 2024 emphasizes the importance of considering costs as a critical piece of your data team's ROI. While data teams often focus on value creation and return on investment, they can easily lose sight of the expenses associated with the complex stacks they build. Lindsay offers practical insights on how to strike a balance between innovation and cost-efficiency. Plus, a special shout-out to Lindsay's new podcast, Women Lead Data—hurrah! This podcast is set to inspire and empower women in the data industry, providing a platform for sharing experiences, insights, and strategies for success. About our host Michael Toland: Michael is a Product Management Coach and Consultant with Pathfinder Product, a Test Double Operation. Since 2016, Michael has worked on large-scale system modernizations and migration initiatives at Verizon. Outside his professional career, Michael serves as the Treasurer for the New Leaders Council, mentors with Venture for America, sings with the Columbus Symphony, and writes satire for his blog Dignified Product. He is excited to discuss data product management with the podcast audience. About our guest Lindsay Murphy: Lindsay is a data leader with 13 years of experience in building and scaling data teams. She has successfully launched and led data initiatives at startups such as BenchSci, Maple, and Secoda. Her expertise includes developing internal data products, implementing modern data stack infrastructures, building and mentoring data engineering teams, and crafting data strategies that align with organizational goals. An active member of the data community, Lindsay organizes the Toronto Modern Data Stack Meetup group, which boasts over 2,500 members. She has also taught Advanced dbt to more than 100 students through Uplimit and hosts a weekly podcast, Women Lead Data, where she shares insights and amplifies the voices of women in the data industry. All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. . Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights! /episode/index/show/4f311290-4db0-4601-9160-40cdac26d6e7/id/32394052

The Minisodes, Live from Data Connect 2024: In Conversation with Kim Theis 08/07/2024

The Minisodes, Live from Data Connect 2024: In Conversation with Kim Theis The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. We've released a special edition series of minisodes of our podcast. Recorded live at Data Connect 2024, our host Michael Toland engages in short, sweet, informative, and delightful conversations with five prevelant practitioners who are forging their way forward in data and technology. Recorded on Day 2 of Data Connect 2024, Michael sits down with Kim Theis, CEO Abea Data, for her first appearance at both Data Connect 2024 and in Columbus, Ohio. Kim shares insights from her recent talk at the conference, where she focused on maximizing ROI from data-driven projects—a topic she has extensively researched. Since transitioning from her role at PayPal, Kim has been on a mission to help individuals and organizations better understand the journey toward adopting data products and the tangible benefits they can offer. About our host Michael Toland: Michael is a Product Management Coach and Consultant with Pathfinder Product, a Test Double Operation. Since 2016, Michael has worked on large-scale system modernizations and migration initiatives at Verizon. Outside his professional career, Michael serves as the Treasurer for the New Leaders Council, mentors with Venture for America, sings with the Columbus Symphony, and writes satire for his blog Dignified Product. He is excited to discuss data product management with the podcast audience. . About our guest Kim Theis: Kim is the CEO and co-founder of AbeaData, a company transforming how data is leveraged as a product and driving the success of AI initiatives across industries. With over 20 years of experience, Kim has a proven track record of delivering data innovation and excellence in various leadership roles. Before founding AbeaData, she served as the Head of Intelligence Automation at PayPal, where she reorganized the team to support a decentralized data framework, launched a data mesh in under a year, and led the team that pioneered the world's first open-source Data Contract. Her extensive experience also includes executive data consulting and technology leadership roles within Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 companies. . All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. . Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights! /episode/index/show/4f311290-4db0-4601-9160-40cdac26d6e7/id/32393957

S1 Ep#10 Product Management with a Marketing Mindset 07/31/2024

S1 Ep#10 Product Management with a Marketing Mindset The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. In Season 01, Episode 10, host Michael Toland (Product Management Coach and Consultant with Pathfinder Product) talks to Tarek Elqoulaq (Product Manager with Power Digital Marketing). Tarek shares his unconventional journey into data product management, despite not having a background in data or engineering. With experience in product growth and SEO consulting for companies like Audible, Spotify, and Dropbox, Tarek offers a unique perspective on shifting into data platform product management. He and Michael delve into the resources that helped him bridge the knowledge gap, emphasizing the value of hands-on learning. Tarek also discusses the importance of building cross-functional relationships and understanding the architecture and design of the systems you work with. This mindset shift enables tailoring solutions that add value across the organization, highlighting the significance of prioritization and alignment with broader business goals. About our host Michael Toland: Michael is a Product Management Coach and Consultant with Pathfinder Product, a Test Double Operation. Since 2016, Michael has worked on large-scale system modernizations and migration initiatives at Verizon. Outside his professional career, Michael serves as the Treasurer for the New Leaders Council, mentors with Venture for America, sings with the Columbus Symphony, and writes satire for his blog Dignified Product. He is excited to discuss data product management with the podcast audience. . About our guest Tarek Elqoulaq: Tarek is a product manager specializing in data platforms, with a passion for building systems that drive high-revenue data products. He previously worked in product growth and consulting, collaborating closely with SEO and product teams at companies like Audible, Spotify, and Dropbox, among others. All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. . Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights! /episode/index/show/4f311290-4db0-4601-9160-40cdac26d6e7/id/32364777

S1 Ep#09 Building Effective Data and Product Teams 07/24/2024

S1 Ep#09 Building Effective Data and Product Teams The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. In Season 01, Episode 09, host Frannie Helforoush (Senior Digital Product Manager at RBC Global Asset Management) talks to guest Jill Maffeo (Principal Product Manager at Vista). Jill is a data and product management practitioner who joins Frannie in conversation to talk about building and leading effective data and product teams. There's a lot for listeners to takeaway including challenges faced by Jill and how to foster collaboration and drive success. A few of the big questions tackled in this episode are: What are the key elements in building a cohesive and productive team? How can you optimize team structures for efficiency and innovation? What is the 'Product Trio', and why is it crucial for creating successful digital products? How do you integrate data-driven insights into the product development lifecycle? What team metrics or process metrics to follow to align a team? Should a data product manager report to a CPO or a data leader? About our host Frannie Helforoush: Frannie's journey began as a software engineer and evolved into a strategic product manager. Now, as a data product manager, she leverages her expertise in both fields to create impactful solutions. Frannie thrives on making data accessible and actionable, driving product innovation, and ensuring product thinking is integral to data management. About our guest Jill Maffeo: Jill has a background in analytics and product management, with experience spanning teams focused on channels and marketing, customer retention, customer service, and ecommerce site platforms. Currently, she leads the strategy for Site Search at Vistaprint, overseeing a dynamic team of software engineers, data engineers, a data product analyst, and data scientists dedicated to enhancing customer and partner experiences. Jill's professional passion lies in metadata development and management, providing solid foundational data to build models and orchestrate customer journeys. Outside of work, she enjoys good books, tasty food, and going on walks. All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. . Do you love what you're listening to? Please rate and review the podcast, and share it with fellow practitioners you know. Your support helps us reach more listeners and continue providing valuable insights! /episode/index/show/4f311290-4db0-4601-9160-40cdac26d6e7/id/32272397

S1 Ep#08 From Scratch to Success: Building a Data Platform 07/17/2024

S1 Ep#07 Monetizing Healthcare Data: Marketing and Product Strategies 07/10/2024

S1 Ep#07 Monetizing Healthcare Data: Marketing and Product Strategies The Data Product Management In Action podcast, brought to you by and executive producer Scott Hirleman, is a platform for data product management practitioners to share insights and experiences. In Season 01, Episode 07, host Michael Toland (Product Management Coach and Consultant with Pathfinder Product) engages in a deep discussion with Andrew Warner (Senior Product Manager at Genome Medical) about the intriciacies of monetizing and marketing healthcare data products. They cover the full gamut from product development, market research, and product validation, to privacy and ethical considerations, as well as financing and funding models. Both Andrew and Michael share their experiences, insights on common pitfalls, and valuable lessons learned. About our host Michael Toland: Michael is a Product Management Coach and Consultant with Pathfinder Product, a Test Double Operation. Since 2016, Michael has worked on large-scale system modernizations and migration initiatives at Verizon. Outside his professional career, Michael serves as the Treasurer for the New Leaders Council, mentors with Venture for America, sings with the Columbus Symphony, and writes satire for his blog Dignified Product. He is excited to discuss data product management with the podcast audience. . About our guest Andrew Warner: Andrew is a Senior Product Manager with eight years of experience in healthcare platforms, data, and integration. He has worked on a diverse range of projects, from mobile apps that reach millions of users to internal data systems that drive business growth. Andrew is passionate about challenging the status quo and fostering business innovation by introducing products that resonate with consumers. All views and opinions expressed are those of the individuals and do not necessarily reflect their employers or anyone else. . /episode/index/show/4f311290-4db0-4601-9160-40cdac26d6e7/id/32083147

S1 Ep#06 Building MVPs, Trust, and Relationships to Deliver Value 07/03/2024

DPMiA S1 Ep04: Introducing Host Nadiem von Heydebrand 06/27/2024

DPMiA Ep005: Solving Challenges and Creating Value 06/27/2024

S1 E02 DPMiA: The Role of User and Stakeholder Collaboration 06/20/2024

S1 E03 DPMiA: Understanding Organizational and User Needs 06/20/2024

S1 E01 DPMiA: Welcome, Meet Your Hosts 06/20/2024

Data Product Management in Action: The Practitioner's Podcast

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