People of Product

Pat McLoughlin is the Director of Product at MoneyLion and former founder and CEO of Digs, a fintech platform for residential real estate. Digs provides tools that help renters save for their first home and homeowners maximize wealth while working with real estate agents and mortgage lenders.In this episode, Pat tells the story of how Digs came to be, and how he pivoted from pursuing architecture as a career to following a new interest in real estate, fintech, and educating first-time homebuyers when they needed it most.He takes us through the challenges and successes of scaling, fundraising, and eventually exiting through an acquisition.Additional topics:* Transitioning to a for-profit model* Building the Digs team* Navigating COVID and fundraising uncertainty* Team dynamics and scaling* Joining MoneyLion and building influence in a new organizationJoin the conversation! 👇🏼What unexpected skills or experiences from your past have shaped the way you approach challenges today, and how might hidden lessons from your own journey fuel future innovation?People of Product is brought to you by Crema - Get the most out of your existing product teams. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

Alicia Lopez, Chief Innovation Officer at Flatiron Corp, is an innovation enthusiast with a rich background in civil engineering and over 25 years of experience in the construction industry. Originally from Spain, Alicia has worked globally—from India to the Middle East—bringing a holistic approach to innovation.In this week’s episode, Alicia shares her insights on building a culture of innovation, aligning it with company goals, and emphasizing the strategic importance of fostering collaboration across departments. Topics covered:* defining innovation in the workplace* fostering a culture of innovation* AI and digital twins* challenges and future of innovation* the role of change management in innovation This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

Tannis Liviniuk is the Digital Advancement Executive at Zachry Group and has a background in industrial construction, working on an array of different projects from greenfield and brownfield to shutdowns, freeze-ups, and fire rebuilds.In this week’s episode, we dive into the challenges of user adoption of new tools, the importance of understanding the end user, and the ethical questions surrounding AI. Other topics covered include:* the role of AI in data management* the ethics of AI and technology resistance* effective engagement with tech companies* building strong relationships in tech This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

Tyler Campbell is the owner of Storybuilder Creative and co-host of the Construction Brothers podcast. His background in steel detailing coupled with experience creating videos in the commercial construction industry grants Tyler with unique insights into areas where construction tech falls short and how it can be improved. Topics include: * Challenges with technology adoption* The importance of proximity * Generational shifts in the industry* Technologists in the fieldBrought to you by Crema - Get the most out of your existing product teams. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

Dustin Burns is the VP of Technology at McCownGordon Construction. His approach to technology impacts corporate culture, creating higher associate engagement and productivity. Dustin believes technology is useless if it doesn’t help people, and that construction is the most important industry in the world. In this week’s episode, he breaks down how new tech solutions are transforming the AEC industry — from preventing rework and reducing safety risk to changing the way the next generation views trade careers.Topics covered in this episode include:* the shifting perspective of working a trade* the role of technology in client experiences * safety and efficiency in construction * looking outside of the AEC industry for construction tech solutions Brought to you by Crema - Get the most out of your existing product teams. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

What does it take to build the future environments that support where we live, work, and play? Eveart Foster is the Integrations Subject Matter Expert at Autodesk and has had a unique opportunity throughout his career to see the entire life cycle of the built world experience, from engineering and design to pre-construction planning. This week Eveart takes us through the role of data maturity in the architecture, engineering, and construction world. Other topics covered include:* the importance of holistic thinking* AI and automation potential in construction* creativity and AI toolsJoin the conversation 👇🏼How do you see data maturity, AI, and automation shaping the future environments where we live, work, and play? What challenges or opportunities will these technologies bring to the architecture, engineering, and construction industries?Brought to you by Crema - Get the most out of your existing product teams. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

The path to product management can be an unconventional one. This week, Jessica Dubin shares her story of transitioning from the education sector, where she graduated from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education, to becoming Chief Product Officer at Remesh, an AI-focused research platform. Along the way, she observed how context influences how we work, serve our users, and develop products.In this episode, we’ll discuss:* navigating leadership and organizational challenges* balancing transparency and focus* understanding what motivates teams * setting up new employees for success by gathering context for them* customer context and user engagement* the importance of retrospectives Join the conversation 👇🏼 Jessica’s path from education to product management shows how diverse experiences can shape leadership. What unconventional career shift or unique background have you encountered in your own journey, and how has it influenced the way you work or lead? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

We all want our teams to be agile, but when is agile too agile? This week I’m joined by Hannah Clark, editor at TheProductManager.com and host of The Product Manager Podcast. Hannah shares insights from startup project managers at various levels who navigate challenges like “shiny object syndrome,” lack of collaboration while working remotely, and other issues that arise in rapidly scaling startups.Topics covered include:* the disconnect between product development and people management* balancing innovation with stability* the cost of switching directions* balancing trust and change in leadership + shiny object syndrome* empowering teams and maintaining momentum* navigating psychological safety and feedback* the value of the “complainer” in teams* intentionality in remote work * the future of work culture Join the conversation 👇🏼How do you ensure your team stays focused on long-term goals without stifling the innovative spirit that drives startups forward? Share your experiences with balancing agility and stability in fast-paced environments.Brought to you by Crema - Get the most out of your existing product teams. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

Currently serving as President of Diode Ventures, the infrastructure development arm of Black & Veatch, Brad Hardin has worked as a LEED-accredited architect, construction manager, and technology leader in a national and international capacity with a focus on business development/procurement, technology strategy, and growth. Join me in this week’s conversation with Brad as we discuss the crucial role of infrastructure development for the future of artificial intelligence and how to integrate advanced technology effectively and sustainably while highlighting the significance of a strong, collaborative team and a culture of continuous learning.Topics covered in this episode include:* the challenges of archaic systems* benefits of prefabrication and automation in construction* the fascinating possibilities of quantum computing * community engagement and public perception* the role of humans in a tech-driven world Join the conversation 👇🏼What antiquated legacy systems do you notice in your professional or personal life that need to be updated? Are they updates technology can achieve, or are they better left for humans to handle?Brought to you by Crema - Get the most out of your existing product teams. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us

Imagine the job site of the future, where autonomous drones are moving material across the worksite and earth is being moved by vehicles being operated by people across the world, all driven by AI. These are a few of the things we get to talk about this week on the podcast with Jeff Danley. Jeff Danley, is the Director of Innovation at Burns & McDonnell, and he has over 20 years of experience driving innovation at the intersection of technology and business. He’s been at the forefront of technological evolution, from the early days of the internet to the transformative impact of mobile devices, and now he leads the charge in leveraging AI to redefine industry standards. The topics we cover in this episode include: * the future of construction sites driven by AI * autonomous drones* the importance of connectivity* the challenges of integrating new tech into a traditionally laggard industry* building a “digital fabric” to connect people, equipment, and materials* enhancing safety on job sites using AI Join the conversation 👇🏼What issues involving safety, efficiency, and connectivity have you encountered in your professional environment that could be remedied by AI? Brought to you by Crema - Get the most out of your existing product teams. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.peopleofproduct.us