💫 We're happy to announce the finalists for the Product Management Leader of the Year for 2025!
Product Management Leader of the Year Award, spotlighted across five focus areas that reflect the breadth of modern product leadership: from AI innovation and platforms to regulated industries and community impact.
⚡️ Recognized contributions: Launching successful products, implementing innovative product strategies, enhancing user experience, and contributing to business growth.
1. AI & Data Product Innovation
These finalists are redefining what’s possible with AI- and data-powered products. They turn cutting-edge research and machine learning into scalable, usable solutions – driving real outcomes in efficiency, intelligence, and customer value while staying grounded in responsible innovation.
⭐ Sarah Perkins – Founder, Product Place Labs; AI & Digital Transformation Leader (National Grid)
⭐ Shailja Gupta – AI/ML Product Manager, ADP (GenAI copilots & people analytics)
⭐ Srishti Chaudhary – Senior Product Manager, Walmart eCommerce (AI Shopping Experiences)
⭐ Svetlana Makarova – AI Principal Technical Product Manager, Mayo Clinic
⭐ Ying Li – Product Lead, Meta (Business Messaging & AI Ads)
2. Platforms, Ecosystems & Infrastructure
This group celebrates product leaders building the foundational platforms and ecosystems others rely on. They orchestrate complex stakeholder needs, scale multi-sided products, and create the tools and environments that enable developers, partners, and customers to thrive.
⭐ Carla Guzzetti – SVP Product, Design & Innovation, Extreme Networks (Extreme Platform ONE)
⭐ Lesia Yanytska – Chief Product Manager, Luxoft (Global MES Suite)
⭐ Lindsay Fordham – SVP, Product, Cint (Cint Exchange & Lucid Measurement)
⭐ Pia Malovrh – Director of Product Management, Celtra (Creative Enablement Platform)
⭐ Trishna Sharma – Staff Product Manager, Meta Reality Labs (Meta Quest / Horizon)
3. Commerce, Growth & Market Impact
These finalists are growth engines for their organizations. They design and scale products that unlock new revenue, improve efficiency, and deepen customer value – turning strategy into measurable business outcomes across retail, fintech, gaming, travel, and renewable energy.
⭐ Arpita Shekhar – Staff Product Manager, Walmart
⭐ Beatriz Pastrana Díaz – Product Manager, Expedia Group
⭐ Dunja Vukotic-Finkler – Director of Instant Tickets & Service Operations, Scientific Games
⭐ Mithila Ratnakar Ghuge – Product Owner, Enpal
⭐ Nita Laad – Founder and CEO, Nexia AI
4. Regulated, Critical Infrastructure & Public-Impact Products
This category honors leaders operating where stakes are highest: financial services, healthcare, employment, and global compliance. They ship products that must be safe, trustworthy, and resilient – balancing innovation with regulation while serving millions of people and critical systems.
⭐ Bhagyalakshmi Duraisamy – Senior Product Manager, ADP (Balance Audit Automation, compliance)
⭐ Holly Calahan – Senior Product Manager, Optum Insight (Pharmacy & claims innovation)
⭐ Katy Jenkins – VP, Product Management, Employ Inc. (Responsible AI in hiring)
⭐ Kriti Tiwari – Managing Director, TIAA (Digital financial advice, wealth products, AI-driven personalization)
⭐ Vinopriya Vijayaboopathy – Senior Manager, CVS Health (Forecasting, drug data & claims)
5. Product Education, Community & Thought Leadership
These finalists are expanding the impact of product management far beyond their own organizations. Through teaching, writing, speaking, and community building, they make product careers more accessible, share hard-won knowledge, and elevate the next generation of product leaders.
⭐ Afra AlMansoori – Product Owner, Digital Dubai; global speaker, cybersecurity & digital gov leader, mentor
⭐ Dr. Marily Nika – Gen AI Product Lead, Google; Founder, AI Product Academy
⭐ Gauri Kasar – Product Manager 2, Microsoft; speaker, OSS contributor & technical blogger
⭐ Kelly Jura – Head of Product Experience, Qwoted; Design/UX thought leader & DMI board member
⭐ Sultana Begum – AI Product Manager, Intel; Author, Competitive Semiconductor Product Management
These product leaders embody innovation, strategy, and human-centered thinking, shaping how the world interacts with technology. We’re honored to celebrate their achievements and the teams and communities behind them.
🥁 The winners will be announced on December 4 during the Women in Tech Global Awards 2025 ceremony.
🎫 Get your ticket to join the ceremony, get actionable insights from the keynotes, and celebrate the achievements of the outstanding women in tech.