COACHING & COHORT PROGRAMS
Think like a product executive — before you become one.
For Senior PMs, Directors, and VPs accountable for product strategy — connecting decisions to revenue, risk, and capital allocation.
Former Chief Product Officer Spryker
Top Instructor on Maven
15+ years, global product orgs
The Moment Product
Leadership Changes
Many product leaders reach a point where tactical product skills are no longer enough. They may be strong at discovery, execution, and roadmaps
— but strategic decisions become harder.
Common situations include:
-
Leadership asks for “product strategy,” but expectations are unclear
-
Product investments increase while business impact remains uncertain
-
Strategic discussions require understanding business drivers and trade-offs
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Product leaders are expected to think like executives — but were never taught how
This is the moment product leadership shifts from execution to strategy
Who This Is For
Product leaders who want to move beyond execution and operate at a strategic level.
Typically this includes:
• Senior Product Managers preparing for Director or VP roles
• Group Product Managers responsible for product strategy
• Product leaders expected to connect product work to business outcomes
• Founders responsible for product direction
Who This Is Not For
Aspiring and beginner-level product managers who are just learning product craft.
Typically this includes:
• Entry-level product managers
• People looking for tactical PM training
• Product certification programs
This coaching focuses on strategic thinking and business-driven product decisions.
My Approach to Product Strategy
Product strategy discussions often revolve around roadmaps, frameworks, and features. But leadership teams are actually making business decisions.
Signature ideas:
Real product strategy requires connecting:
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Market Dynamics
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Company Strategy
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Business Drivers
-
Product Investments
Product strategy is not about roadmaps. It’s about making the right business bets.
“ My coaching focuses on helping product leaders develop this executive perspective.
PRODUCT LEADERSHIP UNLOCKED
Sharp Thinking on Product Decisions,
once a week.
I write about how product decisions actually get made — under pressure, under constraints, with real business consequences. That's the gap this newsletter closes.
Ways to Work Together
1/ Strategic Product Leadership Course
From PM to Strategic Product Leader: Make Decisions Leadership Trusts
A small, hands-on cohort designed to help experienced product managers think and operate like product executives.
Participants learn how to:
• connect product strategy to real business drivers
• evaluate strategic product bets and trade-offs
• understand how companies make product investment decisions
• communicate strategy at the executive level
Program details, upcoming cohorts, and pricing are managed directly through Maven
2/ Executive 1:1 Product Coaching
For experienced product leaders navigating complex strategic situations
This format is best suited for individuals who want focused support on real product challenges.
Common topics include:
• preparing for Director, VP, or CPO roles
• navigating difficult product strategy decisions
• reviewing and refining product strategy
• developing executive judgment in high-stakes environments
• improving strategic communication with leadership
Availability for 1:1 coaching is limited
Helping Product Leaders Make
Decisions Leadership Trusts
Andrew Chekanov
Head of Product, Spryker
After my promotion to Head of Product, I felt I was trying to move faster while standing on a treadmill. Elena recognized I was missing strategic thinking before I did and became my mentor. Those sessions changed my perspective on the role, gave me a framework for decomposing strategic problems — and significantly changed my career trajectory.
Russel Parks
Head of Product, Antares Audio Technologies
Elena asks probing questions that get to the heart of the problem. The product strategy coaching through a Maven course came at an inflection point for me as I stepped into a new level of leadership — and was an invaluable source of wisdom and skill building.
Stephanie Neave
Stephanie · Product Manager, WeVideo
Elena teaches something rare and more important than execution: how to decide what to build in the first place. Understanding the business and its needs first positions you to deliver the greatest impact — for both customers and the company.
READY TO ENGAGE · COACHING
If You're Ready to
Operate at the Executive Level
Product leaders eventually reach a point where frameworks aren't enough. What matters is judgment. Cohort or 1:1, the goal is the same — connect product strategy to real business outcomes.
Maven Top Instructor
5.0 Rating
Next Cohort: July 27 - Sept 4