Recognizing the Top 50 Product and Growth Leaders Around the World
Learn more about 2025’s best and brightest product and growth leaders.
Behind every great product and digital experience is an even greater product leader. Product leaders work behind the scenes, day in and day out, to inspire product teams, remake organizations, and disrupt entire industries—and these unsung heroes deserve their moment in the spotlight!
That’s why we’re thrilled to announce the 2025 Product 50 Awards, the annual list of the best and brightest product and growth leaders worldwide.
Our judges, Amplitude Chief Product Officer Francois Ajenstat, G2 Chief Product Officer Sara Rossio, Product School CEO Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia, Brainmates Co-Founder and CEO Adrienne Tan, and Deepskydata founder Timo Dechau, had a tough time narrowing the field to just 50 winners and finalists.
However, ultimately only 50 individuals can be called the Product 50. This year's class represents leaders from 9 countries and 4 continents, industries ranging from transportation to retail and professional sports franchises, and up-and-comers to C-suite executives.
Read on to learn more about this year’s Product 50, what this award means to them, and their advice for product and growth leaders everywhere.
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and finalists!
Meet this year’s Product 50 winners
Winner and finalist titles and companies represented are at the time of nomination.
The Awards
- Most Admired Product Leader
- Best Product Leader, Large Company
- Best Product Leader, Midsize Company
- Best Product Leader, Startup and Small Company
- Most Promising Up-and-Comer
- Best Product Design Leader
- Best Growth Leader
- Best Digital Transformation Leader
- Best Product Industry Influencer
- Best Data-Driven Product Leader
Most Admired Product Leader
Winner: Shailja Gupta, AI/ML Platform Product Manager, ADP
Shailja is a distinguished product leader celebrated for her groundbreaking contributions to AI and product management. With a proven record of developing scalable, AI-driven solutions, she has garnered multiple industry awards and earned widespread recognition for her innovative work. In addition to her leadership in creating transformative products, Shailja has made significant academic contributions through her peer-reviewed research on bias in large language models, fairness, and ethical AI practices. Her influential publications demonstrate her commitment to responsible AI development, solidifying her reputation as a visionary innovator who is continuously shaping the future of technology in both industry and academia.
Also recognized in the Most Admired Product Leader category:
- Cameron Adams, Canva
- Víctor Díaz-Roig, Scopely
- Tony Pagliocco, Aldar Properties
- Burak Sargut, Sipay
Shailja’s advice for product leaders:
"Foster a culture of continuous innovation by staying curious, listening deeply to customer needs, and empowering diverse teams. Lead with empathy, authenticity, and transparency. This approach not only drives impactful products but also builds a loyal community, a lasting legacy, and products that change lives."
Shailja Gupta, AI/ML Platform Product Manager, ADP
Best Product Leader, Large Company
Winner: Rajesh Ranjan, Product leader, Meta
Rajesh is an award-winning product leader recognized for his exceptional contributions to AI and product management. With a demonstrated history of developing scalable, AI-driven solutions, his work has earned multiple accolades, and he has published influential research papers in AI. Rajesh’s expertise continues to shape the future of AI, solidifying his reputation as an influential innovator driving transformative change across industries.
Also recognized in the Best Product Leader, Large Company category:
- Neha Bansal, Meta
- Andrew Davidson, MongoDB
- Lewis Evans, Nine Entertainment Co.
- Tim Simmons, Walmart International
Rajesh’s advice for product leaders:
"Build products that push boundaries—solving real-world challenges with precision and lasting impact. Prioritize what truly matters, balancing bold innovation with dependable execution. Lead with a clear and unwavering vision while championing ethical AI. Cultivate a feedback-driven culture, empowering teams to deliver scalable solutions that shape the future.”
Rajesh Ranjan, Product leader, Meta
Best Product Leader, Midsize Company
Winner: Erin DeCesare, Chief Technology Officer, ezCater
Erin has led technology portfolios for over 15 years, spending the better part of the last decade in ecommerce. As VP of Technology at Vistaprint, Erin led a large geographically distributed engineering organization through an agile transformation and transition to a microservices architecture. Her focus is connecting technology to business needs and fostering strong relationships across the organization. Erin also held roles in data and analytics, and she is experienced at leveraging data to drive a more powerful customer experience. Erin has a BA from Boston University and an MBA from Northeastern University.
Also recognized in the Best Product Leader, Midsize Company category:
- Badar Ahmed, Protect AI
- Dave Bottoms, Upwork
- Isaac Lien, GrandPad, Inc.
- Dane Maddams, Culture Amp
Erin’s advice for product leaders:
“Mid-sized companies thrive when they leverage speed to outmaneuver, not outspend. We’re at our best when we take advantage of our smaller size to stay close to customer needs and work cross-functionally to rapidly iterate on the best solution."
Erin DeCesare, Chief Technology Officer, ezCater
Best Product Leader, Startup and Small Company
Winner: Michelle Duval, Founder and CEO, Marlee
Michelle is the founder and CEO of Marlee, early agentic AI that unlocks organizational intelligence and performance at scale. Michelle has spent more than two decades innovating at the intersection of technology, performance and behavioral science. In 2019—well before ChatGPT—Michelle brought Marlee, the world's first AI coach, to market. Today, Marlee is unlocking potential in more than 96,000 teams, including 90% of Fortune 100 and 70% of Fortune 500.
Also recognized in the Best Product Leader, Startup and Small Company category:
- Guillaume Klein, WeWard
- Adam Nash, Daffy
- Anand Nathan, AmplifyMD
- Dimitry Shvartsman, Prime Security
Michelle’s advice for product leaders:
“Products that are loved aren’t built in isolation—they’re the result of relentless curiosity, deep user empathy, and a team that dares to challenge the status quo. Lean in and listen to your team and users, be data-informed but willing to also make bets.”
Michelle Duval, Founder and CEO, Marlee
Most Promising Up-and-Comer
Winner: Nimisha Sharath, Product Manager, Uber
Nimisha is a Product Manager at Uber, focused on enhancing road safety and driving behavior by leveraging AI to quantify risk, promote safer marketplace trips, reduce dangerous driving behaviors, and save millions of dollars in insurance costs for Uber.
Before joining Uber, Nimisha worked at Microsoft, where she contributed to multimedia and content recommendations, and at Instacart, where she applied data science to improve offer promotions. Nimisha sits on the industry board of advisors at the University of Washington Seattle and is a champion for women in tech. She holds a Master’s degree from the University of Washington Seattle and a Bachelor’s in Computer Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Surathkal in India.
Also recognized in the Most Promising Up-and-Comer category:
- Rudra Roy Choudhary, Tubi
- Ella Hislop, Luminance
- Prerna Ramachandra, Yahoo
- Brigitte West, DrDoctor
Nimisha’s advice for product leaders:
“My advice to emerging leaders is to prioritize reflection—learning and looking back are just as important as taking action. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle, but reflecting on what’s working and where you can grow helps you evolve. Focus on delivering real impact by solving meaningful problems, building strong relationships, and communicating with clarity. Never forget the user—always keep their needs at the center of your work to make sure you're solving the right problems.”
Nimisha Sharath, Product Manager, Uber
Best Product Design Leader
Winner: Harrison Wheeler, Product Design Director, LinkedIn
Harrison is a Product Design Director at LinkedIn, leading teams to help them reach their highest potential. Acknowledging that experiences reflect organizational culture, he aligns actions, values, and work ethic to drive meaningful impact through inclusive leadership, mentorship, and strategic collaboration. Harrison is passionate about amplifying diverse voices that shape the future of design and technology through his podcast and newsletter Technically Speaking.
Also recognized in the Best Product Design Leader category:
- Eli Fischer, AvidXchange
- Mark Garcia, Majestyk
- Jeff Nicholson, Entrata
- Will Trogdon, Seattle Kraken + Climate Pledge Arena
Harrison’s advice for product leaders:
“Leadership takes courage, especially during times of uncertainty and change. By stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing new challenges, you not only build resilience but also inspire others to confidently navigate the unknown.”
Harrison Wheeler, Product Design Director, LinkedIn
Best Growth Leader
Winner: Eleanor Lightbody, Chief Executive Officer, Luminance
Eleanor is Chief Executive Officer at Luminance. She is a former Director at world-leading cyber AI company, Darktrace, where she founded and grew the company’s operations in Africa before assuming her role as the Global Head of the Darktrace Industrial Division. With a wealth of experience in scaling fast-growing technology businesses, Eleanor now oversees Luminance’s continued global expansion, having led the company’s $75 million Series C funding round in 2025. She was named in Management Today’s 35 Women under 35, Financial Times’ Ones to Watch list, and serves on Luminance’s Board of Directors.
Also recognized in the Best Growth Leader category:
- Brian Harbin, Grit Brokerage
- Viktoria Kharlamova, Independent growth advisor & ex-Miro
- Elizabeth Samara-Rubio, SiMa.ai
- Rachel Tsao, Pure Storage
Eleanor’s advice for product leaders:
“The best growth leaders don’t chase every opportunity—they put blinders on and focus relentlessly on the metrics that truly matter to their business, stakeholders, and customers. That means scaling where there’s real traction, not just where you think demand might emerge. It also means staying anchored to a clear North Star, ensuring every decision directly supports your core mission—and bringing people into the fold who believe in that mission and can execute against it, too. When you filter out the noise and commit to what moves the needle, sustainable growth follows.”
Eleanor Lightbody, Chief Executive Officer, Luminance
Best Digital Transformation Leader
Winner: Janani Narayanan, Senior Director of Product Management, Salesforce
Janani is a senior director of product with 17 years of experience in enterprise product management, engineering, strategy, and operations, with leadership roles at companies like Google and Salesforce. She's a mom of two and is passionate about Women in STEM and mentoring underrepresented groups in public speaking and confidence building.
Also recognized in the Best Digital Transformation Leader category:
- James Bromley, Haven Holidays
- Michael Chorey, Wendy’s
- Courtney Machi, Andela
- Rohit Taneja, Choice Hotels International
Janani’s advice for product leaders:
“In recent times as product leaders, we must recognize that the AI-led transformation is not just an option—it's an imperative. If we do not embark on this journey now, we risk being outshone by competitors who are leveraging AI to drive innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. While digital transformation, especially through AI, is often a gradual process, its impact compounds over time and can ultimately catapult a company to the next level.”
Janani Narayanan, Senior Director of Product Management, Salesforce
Best Product Industry Influencer
Winner: Pooja Sund, Engineering Finance Leader, Microsoft
Pooja is an achievement-oriented technology leader committed to delivering exceptional results. As an engineering finance leader (Principal PM-Director) at Microsoft, she's responsible for the growth of multiple internal and external products and portals, all powered by a formidable array of technologies. With almost two decades of global experience setting and executing visionary goals, she's passionate about championing women and racial and ethnic communities. In addition to being a Product 50 winner, she's been recognized as a Women in Tech Global Leader 2023 and Silicon Leaders magazine's 2023 Top Ten Most Inspiring Women in Tech. Pooja is also a board member at Pacific Northwest University and co-leads the Women at Microsoft ERG, a community with 40K members for empowering women.
Also recognized in the Best Product Industry Influencer category:
- Nesrine Changuel, Independent consultant
- Teresa Huang, Bupa
- Mark Palmer, Warburg Pincus, Dataiku, CData
- Vladislav Voroninski, Helm.ai
Pooja’s advice for product leaders:
“Find your niche, create valuable content consistently, engage with the community, leverage multiple platforms, keep learning about industry trends, be authentic, and build your personal brand to keep shining.”
Pooja Sund, Engineering Finance Leader, Microsoft
Best Data-Driven Product Leader
Winner: Colin Hili, Head of Product, Jumbo Interactive
Colin is a strategic product leader specializing in B2B2C with 10+ years of experience driving scalable growth, innovation, and customer engagement. He has a proven track record of leading cross-functional teams, optimizing product portfolios, and crafting data-driven strategies that enhance market fit and customer experience. Skilled at balancing rapid expansion with sustainable development, he drives business success in fast-growing digital environments.
Also recognized in the Best Data-Driven Product Leader category:
- Nikhil Agrawal, Quillbot
- Barbara Gomes, iFood
- Pallavi Gupta, Microsoft
- Sai Vuppalapati, Tubi
Colin’s advice for product leaders:
“Start small—focus on a few leading metrics. Turn the numbers into insights by connecting them to actual user behaviour and business outcomes. Keep your ego in check; data should challenge your assumptions (this is a good thing!). Finally, follow up (1 month, 6 months, year, etc.) after the release to check the impact and gather feedback. Do this across your portfolio of bets, and your product strategy should (hopefully) write itself.”
Colin Hili, Head of Product, Jumbo Interactive
Learn more about this year’s winners on the Product 50 website and in VentureBeat.
Marianne Ridgeway
Sr. Communications Manager, Amplitude
With over a decade of experience in the Bay Area tech industry, Marianne manages corporate, product, and executive communications at Amplitude.
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