Announcing the 2025 Product 50 Award winners!

In today's volatile global market, the role of product and growth leaders has never been more crucial. These trailblazers not only drive business growth but also spearhead transformative changes within their organizations. To honor these visionary leaders, Amplitude introduced the Product 50 Awards, a platform celebrating those who are revolutionizing their companies, industries, and the world at large with their innovative spirit.

Selecting the Product 50

Now in its third year, the Product 50 Awards saw an impressive turnout with nearly 600 nominations spread across ten categories. The final list of nominees and winners hailed from nine countries across four continents, showcasing a truly global impact.

The selection process involved a panel of distinguished industry judges who evaluated candidates based on their commitment to innovation, business impact, social influence, and their role as leaders within the product community. The judges included:

• Francois Ajenstat, Chief Product Officer, Amplitude
• Sara Rossio, Chief Product Officer, G2
• Carlos Gonzalez de Villaumbrosia, Founder & CEO, Product School
• Adrienne Tan, Co-founder & CEO, Brainmates
• Timo Dechau, Founder, Deepskydata

Congratulations to all the finalists and winners! To discover who they are and learn more about the Product 50, visit amplitude.com/product50.

Introducing the 2025 Product 50 Award Winners

Best Data-Driven Product Leader

Colin Hili, Head of Product at Jumbo Interactive

Colin Hili stands out as a strategic product leader with over a decade of experience in the B2B2C space, focusing on scalable growth, innovation, and customer engagement. His data-driven approach, utilizing techniques like cohort analysis, has not only optimized pricing and engagement but also created a significant new recurring revenue stream for Jumbo Interactive. This initiative is expected to add 8-10 million in annual recurring revenue within its first year. Additionally, his Splash for Good initiative has raised over $1 million for charity while boosting business revenue by another million.

“Start small — focus on a few leading metrics, and turn the numbers into insights by connecting them to actual user behavior and business outcomes,” Hili advises. “Keep your ego in check; data should challenge your assumptions (this is a good thing!).”

Finalists:

• Nikhil Agrawal, Product and Engineering Lead, Quillbot
• Pallavi Gupta, Principal Product Manager, Bing and AI, Microsoft
• Barbara Gomes, Group Product Manager, iFood
• Sai Vuppalapati, Staff Product Manager, Discover and AI, Tubi

Best Digital Transformation Leader

Janani Narayanan, Senior Director, Head of Product Data Cloud, AI and Automation, Salesforce

With two decades of experience in enterprise product management, engineering, strategy, and operations, Janani Narayanan has led Salesforce Data Cloud to become the company's fastest-growing product. Under her guidance, it achieved a 130% year-over-year growth in paid customers, handling over 30 trillion transactions monthly and unifying 100 billion records daily. Narayanan's commitment extends beyond business, focusing on diversity and inclusion, mentoring countless individuals to prepare for high-profile opportunities in STEM.

“As product leaders, we must recognize that AI-led transformation is not just an option – it’s an imperative,” Narayanan asserts. “The emergence of digital labor and the agentic revolution is redefining how businesses operate. It’s not just about keeping up; it’s about leading the charge and positioning your company as a forward-thinking, agile market leader.”

Finalists:

• Courtney Machi, VP of Product and Engineering, Andela
• James Bromley, CPO and CTO, Haven Holidays
• Michael Chorey, Senior Product Manager, AI and Innovation, Wendy’s
• Rohit Taneja, Senior Product Manager, Choice Hotels International

Best Growth Leader

Eleanor Lightbody, CEO, Luminance

Eleanor Lightbody's leadership at Luminance is marked by a successful $75 million Series C funding round in 2025 and ongoing global expansion. Her strategic vision has resulted in a fivefold increase in annual recurring revenue over two years and a more than 100% increase in global corporate customers in 2024. Lightbody's commitment to diversity is evident in her executive team, which boasts over 50% female representation, and initiatives like Women at Luminance and Women in Law seminars that provide mentorship and networking opportunities.

“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,” Lightbody says. “When you filter out the noise and commit to what moves the needle, sustainable growth follows.”

Finalists:

• Brian Harbin, Founder and Broker, Domain Brokerage
• Elizabeth Samara-Rubio, Chief Business Officer, SiMa.ai
• Rachel Tsao, Director of Product Management, Pure Storage
• Viktoria Kharlamova, Independent Growth Advisor and Ex-Miro

Best Product Design Leader

Harrison Wheeler, Director of Product Design, LinkedIn

Harrison Wheeler's leadership at LinkedIn focuses on empowering teams to reach their full potential. His research-driven insights have not only secured investment for user-requested projects but also spurred growth initiatives and product innovation. Wheeler's commitment to diversity is seen in his co-founding of Black by Design, a community group for Black designers, and his efforts in mentorship and talent development. His podcast, Technically Speaking, has been downloaded in over 100 countries, sharing insights and inspiring innovation from diverse perspectives.

“Leadership takes courage, especially during times of uncertainty and change,” he says. “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.”

Finalists:

• Eli Fischer, Head of Product Design and Research, AvidXchange
• Jeff Nicholson, Senior VP of UX, Entrata
• Mark Garcia, Chief Creative Officer, Majestyk
• Will Trogdon, Former Senior Designer for the Seattle Kraken, Current Director of Marketing and Brand at Seattle FWC 2026

Best Product Industry Influencer

Pooja Sund, Engineering Finance Leader, Microsoft

Pooja Sund plays a pivotal role in the growth of Microsoft's products and portals, leveraging cutting-edge technology. Her accolades include being named a Women in Tech Global Leader 2023 and a top inspiring woman in tech by Silicon Leaders magazine. As a board member at Pacific Northwest University and co-leader of the Women at Microsoft ERG, Sund has a significant impact on both product leadership and community engagement.

Her advice for product leaders includes seven steps: “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.”

Finalists:

• Mark Palmer, AI and Data Industry Advisor, Warburg Pincus
• Nesrine Changuel, Independent Product Coach and Advocate
• Teresa Huang, Product Leader and Coach, Bupa
• Vladislav Voroninski, CEO, Helm.ai

Best Product Leader, Large Company (1,000+ employees)

Rajesh Ranjan, AI Product, Meta

At Meta, Rajesh Ranjan is at the forefront of developing innovative recommendation systems using AI and LLMs, enhancing user engagement and delivering personalized experiences. His work has been recognized with the Excellence Award by Conglomerate Magazine, and he is a strong advocate for responsible AI innovation. Ranjan has authored seven research papers on ethical AI and LLMs, emphasizing inclusivity and diversity in recommendation systems.

“Build products that push boundaries — solving real-world challenges with precision and lasting impact,” he advises. “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.”

Finalists:

• Andrew Davidson, SVP Products, MongoDB
• Neha Bansal, Head of Product, Meta
• Lewis Evans, Chief Product and Technology, Consumer, Nine Entertainment Co.
• Tim Simmons, Senior VP and Chief Product Officer, Walmart International

Best Product Leader, Midsize Company (100-1,000 employees)

Erin DeCesare, CTO, ezCater

Erin DeCesare has led the development of ezCater's AI-driven Smart Ordering feature, significantly boosting revenue for restaurant partners and driving platform growth. Her inclusive leadership has fostered a diverse and empowering workplace, unifying teams across product, design, analytics, and technology. DeCesare's focus on AI literacy has resulted in employee upskilling initiatives, contributing to ezCater being named a 2024 Fortune Best Workplace in Technology.

“Mid-sized companies thrive when they leverage speed to outmaneuver, not outspend,” she says. “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.”

Finalists:

• Badar Ahmed, CTO and Founder, Protect AI
• Dane Maddams, Acting Director of Product, Culture Amp
• Dave Bottoms, SVM, GM, Marketplace, Upwork
• Isaac Lien, Co-founder, Chief Artificial Intelligence and Product Officer at GrandPad, Inc.

Best Product Leader, Startup & Small Company (under 100 employees)

Michelle Duval, Founder and CEO, Marlee

Michelle Duval's leadership at Marlee has driven remarkable business impact and global reach within four years. Her product has been adopted by over 90,000 organizations across 194 countries, including industry giants like Accenture, Amazon, and Google. Marlee's mission focuses on promoting diversity and reducing workplace bias through professional development tools. Duval's team, representing diverse backgrounds and perspectives, is a testament to her commitment to cognitive diversity.

“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,” she says. “Lean in and listen to your team and users, be data-informed but willing to also make bets.”

Finalists:

• Adam Nash, CEO and Co-founder, Daffy
• Anand Nathan, Co-founder and CPO, AmplifyMD
• Dimitry Shvartsman, CPO and Co-founder, Prime Security
• Guillaume Klein, Product Growth, WeWard

Most Admired Product Leader

Shailja Gupta, AI/ML Platform Product Manager, ADP

Shailja Gupta has earned numerous accolades, including the Rising Star Award and the Excellence Award for her contributions to AI and product management. At ADP, she pioneered Conversational AI Analytics and Report Assistants, revolutionizing how HR professionals interact with workforce data. Gupta is a strong advocate for responsible AI practices, authoring seven research papers on ethical AI and LLMs, and actively promoting fairness and inclusivity in AI systems. Her mentorship roles at the Society of Women Engineers and Carnegie Mellon University further demonstrate her commitment to empowering future technologists.

“Foster a culture of continuous innovation by staying curious, listening deeply to customer needs, and empowering diverse teams,” she advises. “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.”

Finalists:

• Burak Sargut, CPO, Sipay
• Cameron Adams, Co-founder, Canva
• Tony Pagliocco, SVP Product Investment, Aldar Properties
• Víctor Díaz-Roig, President — Games, Scopely

Most Promising Product Up-and-Comer

Nimisha Sharath, Product Manager, Uber

Nimisha Sharath's focus on enhancing road safety and driving behavior through AI at Uber has led to a 25% reduction in crash rates, saving $150 million in insurance costs and increasing user adoption by 10%. Her work behind the scenes has also expedited product launches in international markets. During the Covid period, Sharath mentored newcomers to the US, helping them break into product management. She also plays a significant role in community engagement, serving on the Industry Advisory Board at the University of Washington Seattle and launching the first Women in Data Science Conference in Seattle.

“Prioritize reflection — learning and looking back are just as important as taking action,” she says. “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.”

Finalists:

• Brigitte West, Executive Director of Product, DrDoctor
• Prerna Ramachandra, Principal Product Manager, Yahoo
• Rudra Roy Choudhary, Product Manager, Tubi
• Ella Hislop, VP of Product, Luminance

For more information on the Product 50 and to explore the profiles of this year's winners and finalists, head over to amplitude.com/product50.