Inside The Garage SF with Kara Smith

After completing the MMM program at Kellogg, I moved back to Silicon Valley to start my career as a product manager. At the time, there weren’t many meetups focused on the craft of product management, but rather on various technical trends and innovation topics. When Northwestern opened a campus in SF, I was excited to get involved and meet other alumni and current students. One of the first events I attended at the new campus was a product manager’s roundtable where attendees shared their experiences as product managers. It was so nice just to have the space to talk about all things product management in a relaxed atmosphere.

In 2024, I decided to become more involved and volunteered as a mentor in residence (MIR), using my experience as a product manager in business software applications to help NU entrepreneurs grow and solidify their businesses. As an MIR, I decided to resurrect the PM round tables, and on October 2nd, I had the privilege of bringing together alumni from Northwestern University and the Kellogg School of Management. Alumni product leaders spanned a diverse range of industries, including healthcare, SaaS, privacy, and artificial intelligence, showcasing the breadth and depth of expertise within our community. The event served as an invaluable platform for knowledge-sharing and connection-building among senior leaders and emerging talent in the product management space.

Over the course of two hours, we discussed key trends shaping the field, including the evolving role of AI, the future of employment for product managers, and the shifting approaches to product vision and strategy. Our conversation highlighted the importance of adaptability and how PMs can be instrumental in guiding organizations through technological and market changes. Attendees shared practical advice on around when to focus on one area or being a generalist and the KPIs that matter most across regulated sectors like healthcare and privacy.

Beyond the professional insights, the round table was an opportunity to strengthen our alumni community. We came together not only to share our thoughts on the industry and its future but also to foster a sense of camaraderie and mutual support. Events like these underscore the importance of creating spaces where product managers can connect, learn, and grow—both personally and professionally.

With the support of Northwestern’s entrepreneurship programs and initiatives like The Garage, we are fortunate to have a thriving network that encourages innovation and collaboration. This round table was a testament to the power of community, reinforcing that we are stronger when we come together to share our collective knowledge and experiences.