In this edition of our Tech Ladies Talk interview series, we had the pleasure of speaking with Keren Baruch, Director of Product at LinkedIn. Keren shared her journey into the world of product management, her key lessons for aspiring product managers, and her thoughts on the rapidly changing landscape of tech. With years of experience in technology, Keren is passionate about leveraging innovation and building multidisciplinary skills to succeed in moving the industry forward.
From Startup Enthusiast to LinkedIn Leader: Keren’s Journey
Keren’s passion for technology began early, interning at a startup during college, where she discovered the power of creativity and innovation in tech. After moving to Silicon Valley, she quickly realized that product management was the perfect fit for her problem-solving nature. Since then, she has led various teams at LinkedIn, including the creator strategy team and now the generative AI experiences for their flagship app.
“I was enamored with the tech industry—how you could bring creativity and solve real problems,” Keren reflected. Her career path, which also included leadership roles at Yahoo, has allowed her to try new things and push the boundaries of product management.
Key Lessons for Aspiring Product Managers
When asked what advice she has for women pursuing a career in product management, Keren emphasized the importance of truly understanding the role. “People often romanticize product management,” she explained, “but it’s a role where you need to influence others without directly building the product yourself.”
Keren shared three key pieces of advice for aspiring product managers:
- Develop Resilience: Transitioning into product management isn’t easy and often requires grit. She referenced her friend, who fought for years to move from sales to product at Google, as an example of persistence paying off.
- Leverage Your Agency: Keren encourages women to take initiative and build skills independently, noting that the tech industry is full of opportunities to experiment and learn without waiting for formal permission. She stresses that you already have the agency needed to get started.
- Embrace Curiosity: A successful product manager must be multidisciplinary, working with engineers, designers, and leadership. Curiosity is key to navigating these varied roles and staying passionate about the work.
The Future of Tech and Product Management
Looking forward, Keren is excited about the evolution of technology and product management. She believes that AI and agentic products are about to revolutionize how we approach product management. “We’re going to see more ‘super PMs’—product managers who can handle multiple disciplines, leveraging AI tools to become more efficient and effective,” Keren explained.
She also predicts that the traditional career path from senior product manager to people manager may shift, with individual contributors (ICs) becoming more valued as technology transforms workflows.
Final Thoughts on the Changing Tech Landscape
As the tech industry rapidly evolves, Keren emphasized the importance of embracing change. “In tech, everything you build is temporary—products get rewritten every few years. But we’re on the cusp of a bigger rewrite,” she said. She encourages women in tech to actively participate in shaping the future by asking themselves, “What am I doing to usher in this future in a way that’s right and just?”
Thank you to Keren for sharing her experiences, insights, and advice with the Tech Ladies community - we look forward to seeing how she continues to shape the future of product management and aritificial intelligence!
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