"Navigating the In‑Between: Product Leadership in an AI‑Native World"
"Navigating the In‑Between: Product Leadership in an AI‑Native World"
Wed May 13 - 1:50 PM EDT/New York (See in local time)
Add to Calendar
05/13/2026 1:50 PM
05/13/2026 02:10 PM
America/New_York
#WTGC2026
"Navigating the In‑Between: Product Leadership in an AI‑Native World"
#WTGC2026
"Navigating the In‑Between: Product Leadership in an AI‑Native World"
https://www.womentech.net/ringcentral
https://www.womentech.net/ringcentral
"Navigating the In‑Between: Product Leadership in an AI‑Native World"
"Navigating the In‑Between: Product Leadership in an AI‑Native World"
Don’t miss out and join visionaries, innovators, and thought leaders from all over the world at the Women in Tech Global Conference.
Vote by Sharing
Unite 100 000 Women in Tech to Drive Change with Purpose and Impact.
Do you want to see this session? Help increase the sharing count and the session visibility. Sessions with +10 votes will be available to career ticket holders.
Please note that it might take some time until your share & vote is reflected.
Session: Navigating the In‑Between: Product Leadership in an AI‑Native World
The move toward AI‑native technology organizations isn’t a clean handoff - it’s an in‑between moment filled with experimentation, uncertainty, and learning in real time. In this fireside chat, Melissa Schulte and Jennifer Stokes explore how product teams are adapting during this transition, how leaders make decisions without all the answers, and how women’s perspectives help bring balance, clarity, and humanity to complex change. A candid conversation about leading through ambiguity - without pretending it’s easy.Key Takeaways
- Reassurance that navigating ambiguity is a shared experience for many leaders and teams, not a personal failure or gap.
- Recognizing how women leaders and diverse viewpoints can help teams stay grounded, thoughtful, and aligned during complex technological shifts.
- Practical ways to think about leading product teams during AI‑driven change, including how to make decisions and move work forward when requirements, tools, and outcomes are still evolving.
Bio
Melissa Schulte is a Senior Director of Product Management at Sephora, where she has led digital product teams for over seven years and is an active leader in the Women Who Tech community. With a background spanning product management in multiple industries and an early career in tech consulting, Melissa brings a blend of strategic, technical, and human‑centered thinking to her work. Trained in Human‑Computer Interaction and rooted in Industrial Engineering, she’s deeply focused on building products that are both impactful and efficient. More recently, Melissa has been exploring “vibe coding” with AI as a creative outlet—designing and building small, practical tools that blend technology, creativity, and wellbeing. Outside of work, Melissa is a lifelong yogi whose practice shapes her leadership style, resilience, and belief in integrating wellness into career growth. She also loves cooking, music & dancing, gardening, travel, and is a proud dog mom to Harper, her rescue companion and constant reminder to slow down.Jennifer Stokes is a Senior Director of Product Management at Sephora, where she leads teams building smart technology that helps brands better understand and connect with their customers through data, personalization, and digital experiences. She partners across product, engineering, and marketing to bring ideas to life - from AI-powered recommendations to social and retail media platforms - earning industry recognition, including Fast Company’s 2026 Innovation Award in Beauty. Prior to Sephora, she shaped digital experiences at companies like Apple and Nordstrom, bringing nearly two decades of experience turning big ideas into real business impact. Outside of work, she’s a champion for women in tech, and when she’s off the clock, you’ll find her with a good book, cheering on her kids (as the ultimate snack mom), or planning her next adventure.
