Product management (PM) has emerged as a pivotal role that bridges the gap between business strategy and technical execution. Whether you're a seasoned product professional or just breaking into the field, navigating the complex challenges of customer needs, product development, stakeholder management, and market fit can be overwhelming.
Success in product management requires not only technical and strategic expertise but also leadership, collaboration, and communication skills. It’s a field that demands continuous learning and adaptability, making mentorship a critical factor for growth and success.
That’s why at every career stage, having a mentor who has successfully navigated the ups and downs of product management can make a huge difference. Mentorship is one of the most powerful ways to upskill, network, and grow – especially in complex fields like product management.
The right mentor can provide invaluable guidance, from building a successful roadmap and prioritizing features to handling cross-functional teams and ensuring that a product meets customer needs. Experienced mentors can also help you avoid common pitfalls, accelerate your learning curve, and empower you to make informed decisions that drive product and business success.
Are you ready to grow your career as a product management professional? The top mentors in product manager are eager to connect with you! The best part? You can schedule mentorship sessions with them for FREE on Upnotch!
Josh Pepper - Head of Product |
Josh Pepper is the Head of Product for RCS for Business at Google, also leading efforts in RCS Spam & Safety. With previous roles as Head of Product at Panopto and Vice President of Real Time Operations at Axon, Josh is passionate about creating impactful products that solve real-world problems. He thrives on collaboration and loves building with great teams.
Josh is also a dedicated mentor, known for his accessible and committed mentoring style. For entrepreneurs or executives in the tech sector, Josh offers a unique blend of product expertise and objective guidance.
Praise for Josh |
Josh is always amazing! I had such a great time during our session today and as before, he was very kind and generous in giving detailed feedback and insights on how to better reach our target clients. I'm always moved by his sincerity to help me and my business grow. I feel lucky and grateful to have found a life-changing mentor :)
Dan Sears - Chief Product & Growth Officer |
Dan Sears is a seasoned tech industry leader with 18 years of experience across multiple executive roles, including Director, VP, GM, President, and CxO. He is also a three-time entrepreneur and has led various teams in Strategy, Product, Design, Engineering, Data & Analytics, and more. Having worked with 24 companies across 8 industries, Dan brings a wealth of expertise and insight to his mentorship.
As a mentor, Dan offers practical, direct, and constructive feedback, providing thought partnership and support with a focus on psychological safety. He values curiosity, empathy, and active listening and is deeply committed to helping his mentees navigate career challenges and grow into strong leaders.
Praise for Dan |
Dan, you're a true gem! Our conversations are always so insightful. You have a remarkable ability to help me identify and prioritize what matters most. Your practical advice is invaluable, and your attentive listening skills are truly impressive. You ask targeted questions that help me focus and move forward with confidence. Thank you for being such a wonderful listener and mentor, I look forward to our ongoing sessions.
Santiago Zarate - Product Owner |
Santiago Zarate is Product Owner at SUSE, a global software leader in innovative, reliable, and enterprise-grade open source solutions. Originally from Venezuela, Santiago has lived in many different countries including Panama, the US, Taiwan and currently Germany. He is a self taught engineer and a great team leader who has grown multiple sizes of teams. With over 10 years of experience in quality assurance under his belt, he’s currently moving his career into product development.
Santiago loves mentoring and believes in paying it forward. He would be an amazing mentor to anyone interested in tech and open source software. He’d particularly love to work with neurodiverse people, as himself belongs to the Autistic Spectrum Disorder and ADHD tribes.
Praise for Santiago |
Santiago is an invaluable asset in my career. His experience and kindness combine to provide exceptional guidance. He offers clear advice and practical examples related to my industry, encouraging personal and professional growth. His deep technical knowledge and interpersonal skills make him an exceptional mentor. Santiago is a pleasure to talk to, and I look forward to continuing to learn from him.
Dutch DeVries - Product Executive |
Dutch DeVries is a tech-savvy problem solver with over 20 years of experience building software solutions across industries like wellness, education, data analysis, and cybersecurity. For the past seven years, he has focused on defining and guiding product vision and strategy, leading the development and launch of multiple products from the ground up.
As the founder of a public benefit company, Dutch is building a digital community to foster understanding and connection for neurodiverse individuals (ADHD, Autism, etc.). His organization is self-managing, embracing a "Teal" philosophy where all voices are equal, and product development is mission-driven. Dutch is passionate about finding angel investors aligned with this vision who prioritize impact over control.
Praise for Dutch |
Dutch was thoughtful and listened attentively. He gave sound advice and was patient as I stumbled through thoughts and derailed myself on more than one occasion. Simply put, he's an excellent, approachable listener.
Yashar Ahmadpour - Chief Product Officer |
Yashar Ahmadpour is a product-focused innovator with extensive experience in delivering digital solutions across industries like AI, FinTech, InsureTech, and HealthTech. As a serial startup founder, he excels at building products that align with market needs and user journeys. Yashar has a proven track record of strengthening relationships with insurance carriers and employee benefit firms by providing cutting-edge digital solutions.
He is proficient in leading teams, raising funds, and driving product development in Agile environments. Yashar is multilingual, allowing him to connect with diverse audiences, and he actively shares insights on product management and startups through podcasts, interviews, and articles. As a mentor to aspiring founders and a member of the UCI CX Advisory Board, he is committed to fostering innovation and continuous improvement in the startup ecosystem. Notable achievements include developing contextual social chats and HIPAA-compliant healthcare platforms, showcasing his technical expertise and dedication to creating impactful solutions.
Praise for Yashar |
Yashar is an exceptional connector and product leader. His willingness to help is amazing. I learned so much from him in our short conversation. He's incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about his work, and he's always willing to share his insights and expertise. I'm so grateful for his guidance and support
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