The Most Remarkable Product Leaders to Watch in 2025 March2025

Forging the Future

Aswestepinto2025,thelandscapeofproduct

leadershipcontinuestoevolveatapacenever seenbefore.Innovationisnolongerachoice—it’s thebaseline.Inthisdynamicenvironment,productleaders areredefiningwhatitmeanstobuild,scale,andinspire. Theyarenotjustshippingfeatures;they’reshaping industries,anticipatinguserneeds,anddrivingbusiness strategywithempathy,data,andvision.

CIOLookinthisspecialeditionof The Most Remarkable Product Leaders to Watch in 2025,weshineaspotlight onindividualswhoarenotonlyrisingtothechallengebut rewritingtherules.Theseleaderscomefromdiverse sectors—techgiants,agilestartups,andmission-driven enterprises—butwhatunitesthemisarelentlessfocuson value,userexperience,andtheartofnavigating complexity

Wehavecarefullycuratedthislistthroughextensive research,peerrecommendations,andalensonimpact. Thesearethemindsbehindproductsthatsolvereal problems,pushboundaries,andelevatewhat’spossiblein themoderndigitalexperience.

Whetheryou’reafounder,aproductmanager,orsimply curiousaboutthefutureofinnovation,wehopethis editionoffersinspirationandinsight.Theseleadersarethe onestowatch—notjustforwhatthey’redoingnow,but forthewavesthey’resettomakeintheyearsahead.

Happy Reading!

MichaelWayne

Joseph Hanna

Pioneer Behind Innovation, AI, and the Future of Product Management

16 The Future of Innovaon How Product Leaders Drive Organizaonal Change? 20 Beyond Management The Strategic Vision of Modern Product Leaders

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BrendanSterne ChiefProduct Officer

The Most Remarkable Product Leaders to Watch in 2025

CoryJones HeadofMarketing

JosephHanna ProductandStrategy Consulting

ScottStanley Sr.ProductManager

BillionToOne billiontoone.com FeaturedPerson

ShanRiku ChiefProductOfficer

CompanyName

Vention vention.com

BillionToOne billiontoone.com

PivotingModelPartners pivotingmodel.com

Hadrian hadrian.co

Sterneisfocusedonscalingproductorganizations,aligning businessgoalswithuserneeds,andfosteringinnovation throughcross-functionalcollaboration.

Jonesisanexpertinbrandstorytellingandmarketing strategies,specializingincreatingimpactfulcampaignsthat resonatewithdiverseaudiences.

HannaisapioneerinAI/MLapplicationsacrossindustries, innovatorofthePivotingLifeOperatingModel,andholderof patentsinAItechnologies.

Stanleyisaskilledinproductlifecyclemanagement,market analysis,anddeliveringcustomer-centricsolutionstoachieve businessgrowth.

Rikuisknownfordrivingdigitaltransformation,strategic productdevelopment,andleveragingdata-driveninsightsto enhancecustomerexperiencesandoperationalefficiency.

Cover story

Jospeh Hanna Pivong Model Partners Founding Partner

"Innovation is not a one-time event; it’s a structured, repeatable process."

ThisbeliefdrivesJosephHanna,aseasonedCPO, entrepreneur,coach,andbest-sellingauthor,ashe reshapesthewaybusinessesapproachproduct strategyandexecution.Withyearsofexperienceinhighgrowthenvironments,HannahasdevelopedthePivoting LifeOperatingModel(PLOM)—aframeworkdesignedto systematizeadaptabilityandcontinuousinnovation.His insightsemphasizethatproductmanagementisn’tjusta functionbutanorganizationalmindset,requiringstructured methodologiesandleadershipprinciplestounlocktrue potential.

Hanna'sexpertiseextendstotherapidlyevolvingworldof AI-drivenproductinnovation.Heurgesorganizationstosee AInotasatechnologyupgradebutasatransformational shiftthatwillredefinedecision-making,strategy,andteam collaboration.Asheshareshisvisionforthefuture,Hanna providesacompellingargumentforwhystructured adaptabilitywillbethedefiningtraitofcompaniesthat thriveintheageofdisruption.

JosephHanna:Innovator&Leader

Hannaisaseasonedexecutive,productinnovator,and strategistwithextensiveexperienceinB2B,B2C,SaaS, AI/ML,andtechnology-enabledservices.Hehasplayeda pivotalroleinscalingPE/VC-backedcompaniesthrough productinnovation,operationalefficiencies,andtechnology M&A.

HehasbeenattheforefrontofAI/MLadoptionacross multipleindustries,includingfintech,HR-tech,supply chain,andprocurement.HoldingmultiplepatentsinAI applications,hehasledproductgrowthinitiativesinboth Fortune500companiesandstartups.Knownforhisability toparachuteintocomplexbusinesschallenges,he specializesinguidingteamstosolveproductandstrategy hurdlesefficiently.

Abest-sellingauthor,Hannawrote Pivoting as a Way of Life anddevelopedthePivotingLifeOperatingModel (PLOM),atransformativeframeworkthatredefinesproduct strategyandinnovation,helpingbusinessesadaptandthrive indynamicmarkets.

ShapingaCareerinStrategy

Reflectingonhisjourney,Hannaattributeshissuccessin productandstrategytoarelentlesscuriosityandpassionfor innovation.EarlyinhiscareeratOracleandFortune500 firms,hegainedexposuretoenterpriseapplicationsand

AI is reshaping product management, innovation cycles, and decision-making processes. I encourage organizations to view product strategy and management as an "AI Candy Store," the perfect gateway for AI-driven transformation.

large-scaletechnologyimplementations,whichlaidthe foundationforhisstructuredapproachtodecision-making.

Transitioningtosmallandmid-sizedtechnologyfirms, Hannaplayedkeyrolesinmarketexpansion,product innovation,andM&A-drivenscaling.Collaboratingwith bothvisionaryandmisguidedfoundersshapedhis philosophyonhigh-velocityinnovationandcontinuous transformation.

Overthreedecades,Hannahasworkedonthousandsof products,overseeingtheirdevelopment,go-to-market strategies,growth,funding,integrations,andeven sunsetting.Withfivesuccessfulexits,multipleacquisitions, andhundredsofduediligenceprocesses,heemphasizes thatthemostvaluablelessonscomefrombuildinga productstartupfromscratch.

LessonsfromENGAGETalent

In2015,JosephHannafoundedENGAGETalent,anAIdrivenTotalTalentIntelligence™platformthataggregated datafrom30,000+sourcestoprovidepredictiveworkforce insights.Thisexperiencereinforcedhisbeliefthatsustained product-marketfitisanillusion;successdependsona company’sabilitytoadaptfasterthanitscompetition.

TheinitialconceptforENGAGEevolvedsignificantly beforereachingcommercialviability.Lessonsfromearly missteps—false-positivevalidations,prematurescaling,and marketmisalignment—shapedHanna’sapproachtorapid iterationandpivoting.

Likesomespeciesofsharksthatmustswimconstantlyto breathe,ENGAGEthrivedoncontinuousadaptation.The teamembracedacultureofexperimentation,iteration,and

change,ensuringthecompanyremainedaheadofshifting marketdynamics.Thefirm’sultimateacquisitionby Carlyle/WorkforceLogiqvalidatedHanna’sconvictionthat abusiness’ssurvivalhingesnotonstaticproduct-marketfit, butontheabilityandvelocitytopivotseamlesslyfromidea toexecution.

ScalingLeadership&Innovation

Post-ENGAGE,JosephHannatookonleadershiprolesas GMofalargedatabusiness,ChiefStrategyOfficerofa $2.5Benterprise,andChiefProductOfficeroverseeing 600+professionalsglobally.Theseexperienceshonedhis structuredinnovationmethodology,transforminggrowth intoarepeatable,scalableprocess.

HannadevelopedthePivotingLifeOperatingModel (PLOM),astructuredapproachtoinnovation,akintoAgile andSCRUMinsoftwaredevelopment.Throughhisfirm, PivotingModelPartners,henowhelpsPE/VC-backed companiesinstitutionalizestrategicpivoting,ensuring agilitybecomesadisciplinedpracticeratherthanareactive measure.

Hisleadershipphilosophycentersonbuildingscalable frameworksthataligncross-functionalteams,fosterrapid yetstrategicdecision-making,andsustainlong-termgrowth throughstructuredadaptation.

High-PerformanceProductTeams

JosephHannabelievesthatproductteamsareoften misunderstoodandunderutilized.Heemphasizesthathighperformanceteamsexcelwhentheyoperatewithina structuredyetadaptableframework,enablingspeedwhile maintainingstrategicalignment.AccordingtoHanna,

productmanagementisnotmerelyafunctionbutan organizationalmindset.Themosteffectivestrategies emergewhendiverseperspectives—technical,business,and customer-driven—converge.

Hannaoutlineskeyleadershipprinciplesessentialfor productteams:Data-drivendecision-making,wheremajor choicesrelyonquantifiableinsightsratherthan assumptions;Cross-functionalaccountability,ensuring teamsrecognizetheirdirectimpactoncustomersuccess; andaCultureofcontinuousadaptation,wherechangeis viewednotasdisruptionbutasastructuredadvantage.He assertsthatfosteringtheseprinciplesequipsorganizations todrivesustainedinnovationanddeliverexceptionalresults inarapidlyevolvingmarket.

AI’sRoleinProductInnovation

Hannaassertsthat“AI is reshaping product management, innovation cycles, and decision-making processes. I encourage organizations to view product strategy and management as an “AI Candy Store,” the perfect gateway for AI-driven transformation.”

Hannaurgescompaniestoactswiftly,asheidentifies2025 asthedefiningyearforAIinproductstrategy OrganizationsdelayingAIadoptionriskfallingbehindthe competition.AIprovidesteamswithenhancedmarket intelligence,optimizedinternaloperations,andsharper strategicinsights.ThroughhisPivotingLifeOperating Model(PLOM),HannaguidescompaniesinembeddingAI intotheirproductstrategies.Heemphasizesthatstructured adaptabilitythroughAIwillbecomethedrivingforce behindcontinuousinnovation. “Organizations that integrate AI early will gain a significant competitive edge, ensuring sustained market relevance in an increasingly AIdriven business landscape.”

IntegratingAIinOrganizations

Hannawarnsthat“Many organizations mistakenly treat AI as a simple technology implementation rather than a strategic transformation. The future is not just about using AI but managing AI-integrated teams, where human professionals and AI agents work collaboratively.”

My goal is to future-proof organizations by instilling an innovation-first mindset that allows them to navigate uncertainty with confidence.

“

Hannalikensthisshifttotheearlydaysofdigital transformation,cautioningthatcompaniesslowtoadapt riskexperiencinga“KodakMoment”—fallingbehinddue toresistancetochange.Headvisesleaderstostartby strategicallyapplyingAIinproductmanagement,fostering anorganizationalculturethatembracesAI-human collaboration.Headvocatesforastructured“BringYour OwnAI”approach,whereteammembersexperimentwith AItoolstodriveinnovation.Lastly,Hannastressesurgency

How Product Leaders Drive Organizational Change?

Thehighestmandateofproductleadersistolead

companiesthroughchange,mostprominently duringperiodsoflightning-speedtechnological disruptionandchangingmarketrealities.Withtheskillto reconcilestrategicintentwithaction-orientedoperations, theyexercisetheirhighestvaluepotentialindevelopinga cultureofinnovationandresponsivenessculture.

This article discusses how effective product leaders achieve organizational transformation with specific emphasis on key strategies such as fostering collaboration, culturecreation for increased flexibility, and measurement-based performance.

TheStrategicVisionoftheProductLeader

Powerfulorganizationaltransformationrestsatitsverycore withasoundstrategicvision.Theproductleadermusthave adefineddirectionofthinkingwhichnotonlymobilizeshis orherteamsbutalsoignitestheaspirationsofthe organizationatlarge.Itisthesparkofhopeamidchallenges whichshalldrivetheteamsthroughadversecircumstances whilealsoretainingthemtowardsmutualobjectives.

Productleaderswillneedtorethinkthetime-tested leadershiproles,abandoningprofitmaximizationfor creatingapositiveimpactinitsstead.Toachievethat,they havetoforgenewmindsetstoprioritizecollaborationover commandandco-creationovercompetition.Bydoingso, productleaderscanbuildaculturewhereinnovationis internallytriggered.

FosteringCooperationBetweenTeams

Effectivecollaborationisvitalintheprocessofeffective organizationaltransformation.Productleadersmust cultivateteamworkandtransparencyculturewithinthe organization.

Beyond Management

forcesbyprioritizingfeaturesthataddresscustomerpain pointswhileremainingfeasiblewithintechnologicaland resourceconstraints.Thisdualfocusensuresproductsare bothgroundbreakingandachievable.

Forexample,companieslikeAmazonemphasizecustomer obsessionandlong-termthinkingwhilefostering innovationthroughiterativeexperimentation.Thisapproach hasenabledthemtobuildproductsthatresonatedeeply withuserswhileensuringoperationalexcellence.

Leadershipvs.Management:TheStrategicShift

Whileproductmanagementfocusesonexecution—defining roadmaps,coordinatingteams,andmeetingKPIs—product leadershipoperatesonabroaderscale.Productleadersset overarchingvisions,alignmultipleproductswithcompany goals,andmakehigh-leveldecisionsimpactingtheentire organization.

Thisdistinctionhighlightstheevolutionfrommanagerto leader.Effectiveleadershiprequiresprioritizingcollective goalsoverpersonalcomfort.Productleadersmustnavigate powerdynamicswithinteamswhilefosteringan environmentoftrustandcollaboration.Theirroledemands bothstrategicforesightandhands-oninvolvementtoinspire teamsanddrivesuccess.

Data-DrivenDecisionMaking

Modernproductleadersleveragedataanalyticstoinform theirstrategiesandmeasuresuccess.BytrackingKPIssuch asretentionrates,recurringrevenue,andcustomer satisfactionmetricslikeNetPromoterScores(NPS),they ensuretheirdecisionsalignwithmarketdemandsand organizationalobjectives.Data-driveninsightsallow leaderstoadaptquicklytochangingconditions,mitigating risksandcapitalizingonemergingopportunities.

CollaborationAcrossTeams

Collaborationisattheheartofeffectiveproductleadership. Withcross-functionalteamsspanningengineering,design, marketing,andsales,productleadersactasconnectorswho unifyeffortsaroundasharedvision.Opencommunication minimizessilos,enhancesefficiency,andfosters innovation.

Indistributedorremoteworkenvironments,specialized toolslikededicatedproductmanagementsystemsprovide visibilityandcontrolforseamlessteamcollaboration.

Thesesystemsempowerteamstoprioritizefeatures effectivelywhilemaintainingalignmentwithstrategic goals.

FlexibilityinDynamicMarkets

Theabilitytoadaptisahallmarkofsuccessfulproduct leadership.Marketconditionscanshiftunexpectedlydueto economicdownturnsorevolvingcustomerpreferences. Modernproductleadersembraceflexibilitybyreassessing prioritiesandpivotingstrategieswhennecessary This adaptabilityensuresresilienceinthefaceofchallenges whilekeepinglong-termobjectivesinfocus.

ImpactBeyondProducts

Theinfluenceofmodernproductleadershipextendsbeyond individualproducts—itshapesorganizationalcultureand drivesbusinesssuccess.High-qualityproductsthatresonate withcustomersleadtoincreasedrevenue,profitability,and investorconfidence.Thisrippleeffectfuelsresourcesfor continuedinnovationwhilereinforcingthecompany’s competitiveedge.

Moreover,byfosteringacultureofinnovationand collaborationwithintheirteams,productleaderscontribute toemployeedevelopmentandsatisfaction.Theirabilityto inspiretrustempowersteamstotacklecomplexchallenges creatively

Conclusion

Modernproductleadershipisnolongerconfinedto managingtasksoroverseeingdevelopmentprocesses;itisa strategicendeavorthatintegratesvision,strategy, execution,innovation,collaboration,andadaptability Productleadersarearchitectsofsuccesswhoguide organizationsthroughdynamicmarketswhiledelivering solutionsthatresonatedeeplywithusers.

Bybalancingambitionwithpracticality,leveragingdatadriveninsights,fosteringcollaborationacrossteams,and maintainingflexibilityinthefaceofchange,theseleaders exemplifywhatitmeanstogobeyondmanagement.Their strategicvisionnotonlydrivesproductsuccessbutalso shapesthefuturetrajectoryoftheirorganizations—a testamenttothetransformativepowerofmodernproduct leadership.