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Work Background
Illini Angels: A Program of Illinois VenturesFounding Member
Jul. 2023Chicago, Illinois, United StatesIllini Angels is a powerful cohort of investors that brings decades of experience in investing, innovating, building strong companies, establishing connections, and encouraging the highest-impact relationships. Every opportunity we create reflects the world-class technological leadership of the University of Illinois and its thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. As a Founding Member, I've committed to advising, supporting, and investing in the great ideas from the University of Illinois that drive global innovation. We are improving the world by supporting the companies that will make it happen. And in the process showing our Illini pride
GoogleProduct Manager
Jan. 2021 - Jan. 2025Mountain View, California, United StatesOn the App Campaign team at Google, I played a key role in driving performance and innovation for mobile app advertising by focusing on assets, experimentation, and generative AI solutions. Assets Optimization: Led the development and testing of high-performing creative assets to maximize ad engagement, user acquisition, and ROI for app campaigns. Partnered with cross-functional teams to analyze performance data and continuously refine asset strategies. Experimentation Frameworks: Designed and implemented scalable experimentation frameworks to identify best practices for creative optimization, audience targeting, and campaign performance. Provided actionable insights to global teams, improving customer outcomes and operational efficiency. Generative AI Integration: Spearheaded the adoption of generative AI tools to streamline customer workflows, enabling app advertisers to create personalized, high-impact ad assets at scale. Drove training and change management initiatives to ensure seamless implementation and measurable business results. Customer Success: Collaborated with advertisers and account teams to identify pain points and deliver tailored solutions that enhanced campaign effectiveness and user experience. Thought Leadership: Shared insights on creative experimentation and AI-driven advertising strategies through internal presentations, team trainings, and external forums.
General AssemblyDistinguished Faculty Member- Product Management
Jan. 2019 - Dec. 2021Greater Chicago Area
LaunchPad LabProduct Manager
Nov. 2017 - Dec. 2020ChicagoAt Launchpad Labs, I worked as a consulting Product Manager, partnering with clients across logistics, real estate, finance, and creative industries to drive product development and deliver impactful solutions tailored to their unique needs. Product Strategy & Development: Collaborated with clients to define product visions, develop roadmaps, and establish clear priorities based on business goals and customer needs. Cross-Industry Expertise: Provided strategic guidance to companies in logistics, real estate, finance, and creative sectors, leveraging deep industry knowledge to design solutions that addressed key challenges and unlocked growth opportunities. End-to-End Execution: Oversaw the full product lifecycle for multiple projects, from ideation to delivery. Partnered with engineering, design, and business teams to ensure seamless execution and alignment with client objectives. Data-Driven Decision-Making: Conducted market research, user interviews, and competitive analyses to inform product decisions and optimize performance for client businesses. Stakeholder Engagement: Acted as a trusted advisor to C-suite executives and leadership teams, facilitating workshops, providing insights, and aligning stakeholders around shared goals and strategies.
Agile Processes: Introduced and implemented agile methodologies to improve team efficiency, enhance collaboration, and accelerate product delivery for clients. Creative Problem-Solving: Helped clients navigate complex challenges by combining innovative thinking with practical, actionable solutions tailored to their industries.
General AssemblyPart-time Instructor
Jan. 2017 - Oct. 2022ChicagoI'm the instructor for the part-time product management course at GA Chicago.
ParallelScoreChief Product Officer
May. 2015As Chief Product Officer at ParallelScore, I led the end-to-end strategy, development, and execution of innovative products that delivered measurable value to customers and stakeholders. Product Strategy & Vision: Defined and implemented a forward-thinking product roadmap that aligned with the company’s mission to leverage cutting-edge technology, including AI and data science, across diverse industries. Cross-functional leadership: Directed product, engineering, and design teams, fostering collaboration and ensuring seamless execution from concept to delivery. Partnered with marketing, sales, and customer success teams to drive adoption and revenue growth. Data-Driven Insights: Leveraged data science and analytics to inform product decisions, optimize performance, and identify new opportunities in key industries, including advertising, real estate, finance, healthcare, and human resources. Scalable Solutions: Delivered high-impact, scalable solutions by identifying market gaps and customer pain points. Successfully launched multiple products, driving user acquisition, engagement, and retention. Customer-Centric Approach: Championed a culture of empathy and customer focus, ensuring that user needs were at the core of all product decisions. Team Growth & Development: Mentored and scaled a high-performing team of product managers and designers, fostering innovation and a shared commitment to excellence. Partnerships & Investments: Collaborated with leadership to explore investment opportunities and strategic partnerships that complemented the company’s product portfolio.
tiphub capital Partner
Jan. 2014GlobalAt tiphub Capital, I was instrumental in driving investments and fostering entrepreneurial growth across Africa, with a focus on empowering startups and scaling innovative businesses. Investment Strategy: Identified, evaluated, and invested in high-potential startups across Africa, with an emphasis on companies leveraging technology to solve critical challenges and drive economic growth. African Diaspora Accelerator: Launched and managed the first-ever African Diaspora Accelerator program, providing mentorship, funding, and resources to early-stage startups. Helped participants refine their business models, scale operations, and attract follow-on investment. Ecosystem Development: Played a key role in building a robust network of investors, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders within the African and Diaspora communities to support innovation and collaboration. Program Design & Execution: Designed accelerator programming to address the unique challenges faced by African startups, including market access, funding gaps, and scalability. Oversaw workshops, pitch sessions, and networking events to support cohort growth. Thought Leadership: Advocated for the potential of African entrepreneurship through speaking engagements, articles, and partnerships, showcasing the impact of the Diaspora on driving innovation and investment in Africa.
TrendPoProduct Manager
Jan. 2013 - Dec. 2014Washington D.C. Metro AreaTrendPo is a social media analytics company that provides social marketers with a contextual view of how their social media performance ranks compared to their peers/competitors. Think marketing intelligence on steroids. (Not condoning the use of steroids before, during or after the product development process). As product manager, my responsibilities include: Worked with the executive team to set product strategy and develop product road maps to achieve our company goals. Walked our products through the whole product development cycle. This includes developing initial ideas, testing with customers, building a features list, develop product specifications, did I mention testing with customers, prioritizing our backlog, working with engineering, sales, and marketing team, shipping product, oh and testing with customers. Evangelist on behalf of TrendPo.
Fortify VenturesFortify Accelerator
Sep. 2012 - Aug. 2013Washington D.C. Metro AreaAt Fortify Accelerator, I contributed to fostering the growth of early-stage startups by supporting key initiatives, including program development, events, and due diligence. Distilled Intelligence Pitch Competition: Played a critical role in planning and executing Distilled Intelligence, a pitch-off competition featuring 100 startups. Helped organize logistics, secure sponsors, and coordinate with judges, ultimately awarding over $100,000 in prizes to five winning companies. Due Diligence Support: Conducted detailed research and analysis during the due diligence process for seven companies, assessing business models, market opportunities, and growth potential to inform investment decisions. Mentor & Investor Outreach: Collaborated with general partners to build a robust support network for the accelerator. Recruited mentors and advisors to guide startups and facilitated connections with potential investors to drive funding opportunities. Corporate Partnerships: Developed strategic partnerships for corporate sponsorships, securing resources to enhance accelerator programming and support participating startups. Resource Development: Contributed to the creation of a comprehensive suite of resources for founders, including workshops, networking events, and access to expert guidance from industry leaders.
City YearTeam Leader
Jul. 2011 - Jun. 2012Washington D.C. Metro AreaCo-led a 13 person team that implemented a school turn around strategy which led to higher student performance, improved school culture and increased parental involvement
City YearCorps Member
Aug. 2010 - Jul. 2011Washington D.C. Metro AreaPart of an eight person team that implemented a school turnaround strategy leading to improved Math and Literacy gains, student attendance, and parental involvement
Applied Technologies for Learning in the Arts & SciencesMoodle Assistant System Administrator
Aug. 2008 - May. 2009Responsible for software side support to professors and teaching assistants
Designed and Managed 288 online courses specifically tailored for class purpose
Backed-up and restored older content for previously enrolled instructors
Applied Technologies for Learning in the Arts & SciencesIT Support Specialist
Jan. 2008 - May. 2010Provided students and instructors consulting services to maximize technology use
Offered technical assistance to over 1000 students
Oversaw weekly upkeep of nine computer classrooms
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