STEPHANIE KAO
Linkedin.com/in/stephanie-kao-product
Summary
Visionary product leader with 10+ years of experience driving transformative product strategies and fostering high-performing teams. Proven expertise in leveraging data & AI-driven solutions, shaping cross- functional collaboration, and delivering scalable B2B and B2C products. Adept at curating impactful roadmaps, championing inclusive team cultures, and achieving measurable outcomes that align with organizational goals Core Skills Product Development Lifecycle Management Product Vision, Strategy, and Roadmap Creation Data Driven Decision Making B2B & B2C SaaS Product Growth Cultural Leadership & Team Development Cross-Functional Leadership
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Digital Product Strategy Lead
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment
08.2023 - 11.2024
- Identified and capitalized on strategic growth initiatives resulting in four new product opportunities, with 75% advancing new product launches
- Spearheaded the creation of a visionary Fan Loyalty product vision & strategy, integrating blockchain technology and gamification elements to revolutionize fan engagement and retention across MLSE platforms
- Created the strategic vision and program governance between Digital Labs and the Ticketing team resulting in 50% cost reduction, significant improved communication via new process implementation, and clear alignment from C-Suite leaders to working teams
- Developed a multi-year ticketing roadmap spanning five teams, overseeing an average of 17 concurrent projects, driving alignment and efficiency
- Led, mentored, and inspired high-performing team of 2 reports through goal setting, regular 1:1's, and proactive problem solving
- Mentored and scaled the Product Management Chapter, managing 8 product managers while authoring MLSE's Product Management Playbook to establish best practices and growth frameworks
- Led organizational culture transformation by establishing and advocating for culture mission & values that foster inclusivity, cross-team collaboration, and continuous learning, securing buy-in from all levels of the organization
- Implemented innovative product strategies, resulting in higher market penetration and brand recognition.
Product Lead
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment
06.2022 - 08.2023
- Oversaw the entire lifecycle of product development from concept to launch, ensuring successful rollouts and customer satisfaction
- Directly managed two product development teams for GameTime digital arena and License Hub products, overseeing both product management and development functions
- Led, mentored, and inspired 2 high-performing product development teams of 8 direct reports Including goal setting, regular 1:1's and proactive problem solving
- Built strong relationships with key industry partners, exploring opportunities for collaboration on joint ventures or co-marketing initiatives
- Spearheaded short- and long-term strategies for GameTime Digital Arena, elevating fan attendance from 5K to 12K (+140%), with five games exceeding 21K fan attendance
- Created & launched an automation-focused strategy for License Hub, thus increasing annual revenue from $990K to $1.2M in one year
- Orchestrated short- and long-term strategies, defining distinct success metrics and aligning stakeholder objectives for high-impact product delivery
- Extra-curricular included leading Female-in-technology EIG group & being an active participant in the 2SLGBTQ+ EIG group
Senior Product Manager
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment
03.2021 - 06.2022
- Owned the strategic roadmap for MLSE's portfolio of 5 mobile apps, driving seamless digital ticketing and in-arena utility experiences for major league teams
- Created comprehensive Mobile Rebuild strategy including 5-year costing forecast and short-term (12 month) roadmap
- Led & launched a digital gift card initiative, contributing to a 30% annual increase in attributed food and beverage revenue
- Launched from 0-1 exclusive Membership Portal SDK which was integrated into all 4 team mobile apps
- Led, mentored, and inspired high-performing team of 2 product managers through goal setting, regular 1:1's, and proactive problem solving
- Ensured app readiness for each teams' season, providing seamless access to digital tickets & arena utilities
- Managed third-party vendor relationships, integrating multiple SDKs to ensure cohesive and high-performance app functionality
- Championed UX improvements by analyzing fan sentiment and leveraging data analytics for continuous engagement optimization
- Increased product adoption by identifying customer needs and developing innovative product features.
Product Manager
VersaPay
05.2020 - 03.2021
- Company Overview: Accounts receivable automation software.
- Directed the Accounts Receivable Automation roadmap, improving alignment and quality through data-driven prioritization
- Managed full product lifecycle, from ideation through post-launch support, ensuring consistent quality control measures were in place.
- Standardized Agile methodologies and onboarding documentation, enhancing operational efficiency across the product lifecycle
- Communicated effectively with cross-functional team members to deliver updates on project milestones and deadlines
Product Manager
Financeit
09.2018 - 04.2020
- Company Overview: Direct-to-Consumer personal loan program to financially empower home owners
- Managed 3 product development teams and ensured clear and timely product launches
- Led strategic vision and roadmap of a lending compliant U.S version of the Canadian product to enter a market with year-1 annual lending potential of $1M USD
- Conducted research and analysis to drive product solutions, producing detailed business and functional requirements
- Collaborated with UX, Research, Operations, and Legal teams to define requirements and workflows, and managed third-party vendor integrations
- Enhanced internal processes by integrating Agile, Kanban, and 'Shape-Up' methodologies for effective feature iteration
Product Manager
Finastra
03.2017 - 09.2018
- Company Overview: Creating market-leading software solutions for Lending and Payments to empower financial institutions.
- Managed Global Platform and B2C product roadmaps, aligning with business strategy and vision
- Directed product lifecycle from ideation to launch and post-launch success
- Led cross-functional teams in Marketing, Finance, and Legal for go-to-market strategies
- Oversaw MVP launch readiness, balancing precision and timely delivery
- Conducted market research and engaged stakeholders to define requirements and maintain competitiveness
- Championed platform strategies, communicated roadmaps, and defined requirements for new features
- Led Global Re-Branding and developed a Design System for 200+ products
- Delivered product demos to high-profile clients like RBC, CIBC, BMO, and Rogers
- Developed product documentation to communicate upcoming features and products to internal teams
Product Owner
Davis + Henderson (D+H)
05.2013 - 03.2017
Skills
- Product Development Lifecycle Management
- Product Vision, Strategy, & Roadmap Creation
- Data Driven Decision Making
- B2B & B2C SaaS Product Growth
- Cultural Leadership & Team Development
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Design thinking
- Strategic Business modeling
Additional Information
- Muay Thai Lightweight Champion C-Class Female 2024 & Muay Thai instructor
- Organized and led 5 Design Thinking Challenges with partnered post-secondary schools and youth outreach programs
- Helped organize Pride celebrations, including pride marches and internal 2SLGBTQ BBQ at MLSE as part of the 2SLGBTQ EIG group
Timeline
Digital Product Strategy Lead
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment
08.2023 - 11.2024
Product Lead
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment
06.2022 - 08.2023
Senior Product Manager
Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment
03.2021 - 06.2022
Product Manager
VersaPay
05.2020 - 03.2021
Product Manager
Financeit
09.2018 - 04.2020
Product Manager
Finastra
03.2017 - 09.2018
Product Owner
Davis + Henderson (D+H)
05.2013 - 03.2017
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