Beyond the Hype: What the Women In Product Conference Taught Me About Craft, Courage, and Community
It’s been a week since the Women In Product Conference, and honestly, the insights are still fresh in my mind. The past seven days have been a blur of workshops, public gatherings, and client meetings, but the lessons from the conference have been a constant, inspiring presence.
As my first in-person conference since the pandemic, the experience was a powerful reminder: while technology connects us, the energy of real, human connection is absolutely contagious and essential for driving progress.
The theme of this year's event—Craft, Courage, and Community—resonated with me on a deeply personal level. These are the three pillars that define my own work. My programs—Grow, Blossom, and Gather—are built on these very same principles:
Grow (Craft): Helping businesses refine their craft to scale and succeed.
Blossom (Courage): Guiding professional women to navigate career transitions with the courage and clarity they need to thrive.
Gather (Community): Hosting workshops and meetups because I believe true learning from lived experiences is something no AI can ever replicate.
The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership
The speaker lineup at this conference was truly powerful. It was tough to choose between sessions, but every speaker shared personal stories that absolutely inspired the room. What stood out to me was the raw vulnerability of these leaders. They didn't just share their wins; they spoke openly about their failures, their fears, and the moments of self-doubt.
The "From Features to Futures" panel was a personal favorite. The all-star lineup of women leaders—Debby Soo, CEO of OpenTable; Deboshree Dutta, entrepreneur and product leader at Salesforce; Yana Welinder, CEO of Kraftful; and Renee Davis, a climate tech leader—offered a masterclass in resilient leadership. Listening to their journeys, I found so many common themes. Their stories of navigating pivots, overcoming setbacks, and finding their voice were deeply relatable and reminded me that every great leader’s journey is built on a foundation of both success and failure.
Why Community is Your Unfair Advantage
The conference also reinforced my belief in the power of community. As we discussed at the event, with the proliferation of AI, spaces that bring real people together are more vital than ever. It's in these moments that we get that much-needed dose of smiles, laughter, and shared understanding that can’t be replicated by an algorithm.
The seamless execution of an event that drew over 1,000 attendees was a testament to the dedication of Caroline and her team. It was a beautiful example of community in action, from the volunteers to the sponsors like eBay, Meta, Mozilla, and LinkedIn, who didn't just sponsor but actively engaged with attendees.
The energy was palpable and the connections felt solid and lasting. I walked away with a full heart and a notebook full of learnings, confirming that true progress is a collaborative journey.
I'm already counting down the days until the next one. What an inspiring week!