Bertrand D.

Bertrand D.

PM coach, focused on data-driven decisions and navigating complex orgs

Carnegie Mellon School of Computer Science Logo

Studied at Carnegie Mellon School of Computer Science

Stanford SEED  Logo

Works at Stanford SEED

Available Monday at 8:00 PM UTC

Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.

Bertrand's Coaching Offerings

Custom hourly · $100/hr

Get help with Promotion Strategy, Resume Review, and .

Bertrand’s Product Management Qualifications

Experience level: VP of Product

10+ people coached for Product Management

I am Bertrand Damiba, a seasoned product management executive with 25 years of experience in the Silicon Valley. I concluded 13 years of product management leadership at Google in 2024, where my last position was Director of Product Management Gmail AI. Prior to that role, during my time at Google, I built and led various product teams, that launched features impacting billions of users across various product areas, including enterprise (AdWords) to Research teams (Google Deepmind), and was a founding product manager of the consumer facing Google Assistant. Prior to Google I was a startup CEO, and before that I was a software engineering manager at various firms in the Silicon Valley. Through mentorship and coaching I have helped dozens of current and aspiring product managers over my career to get into the next stage of their career, and current consult with various high potential startup through the Stanford Seed program, part of the Stanford Graduate School of Business. I hold a: -B.S. in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University -M.S. in Software Management from Carnegie Mellon University -9 Granted US Patents -2 Webby Awards -Various other industry awards. I am fluent in both English and French.

Bertrand can help with:

Promotion Strategy

Resume Review

Strategy & Vision

Influence & Collaboration

Product Case Interview Prep

Frameworks

General Exploration

View all of Bertrand’s categories

About Bertrand

For over 25 years, I have lived the evolution of AI and tech in Silicon Valley, wearing every hat from startup founder to executive at Google and IBM. I know the thrill of shipping zero-to-one AI products—like the Webby Award-winning Google Assistant "Interpreter Mode"—and the rigor required to scale them. Beyond the tech, I am deeply passionate about the human side of product leadership; I have successfully coached many Google Product Managers through their promotions by helping them master technical product roadmaps and craft executive-level narratives that drive impact. As a native French and English speaker who has mentored businesses across Africa and Asia, I bring a global perspective and deep "been there" empathy to our sessions, ready to help you navigate your unique professional challenges with confidence.

Why do I coach?

I coach because great mentors accelerated my own career, and I know firsthand how transformative that partnership can be. At this stage in my journey, I find my greatest professional happiness in helping others thrive. I am driven to pay it forward, using my experience to help you navigate challenges and unlock your full potential.

Work Experience

Stanford SEED  Logo

Stanford Seed Consultant

Stanford SEED

February 2025 - Present

I advise entrepreneurs leading companies in the Stanford Seed Transformation Network with whom I develop customized and creative business solutions.

Google Logo

Director of Product Management, Gmail

Google

2023 - August 2024

• Responsible for generative AI features for email composition on Gmail, including “Help Me Write” and “SmartCompose” • Defined vision for future-proofing communication interactions in Gmail platform

Google Logo

Director of Product Management, Google Assistant

Google

2021 - 2023

As part of the Assistant product leadership team, built and ran a product organization spanning many of the user-facing product teams (including music and podcast playback, issuing phone calls &text messages from the Assistant, alarms & reminders, routines, etc...) located in Mountain View, Seattle & Zurich.

Google Logo

Group Product Manager, Search Answers & Interpreter Mode, Google Assistant

Google

2016 - 2021

Drove the requirements across several key feature areas, as part of the original product team that launched the Google Assistant in 2016. Built out and led product teams to drive requirements for these features thereafter. Founding Lead PM for the Google Search Answers experience in the Google Assistant on smart speakers and displays. Founding Lead PM for the Assistant Languages team that produced the “Interpreter Mode” Assistant feature, which earned: • 2019 Webby Award for Best Technical Achievement in Apps, Voice category (“Interpreter Mode” on Smart Displays) • 2020 Webby Award for Best User Interface category (“Interpreter Mode” on Mobile) • Became a tentpole feature for 4 iterations of Google’s flagship smartphone Pixel 6, 7 & 8

SecuriMobile Logo

Co-Founder, CEO

SecuriMobile

2009 - 2011

Founded and led a startup that offered a cutting-edge voice biometrics based mobile authentication platform for high-value transactions. Along with the founding team, led the strategy, product, design and pricing. • Assembled team and advisory board • Led the company from its legal incorporation, to its first paying customer and term sheet. -Awarded the 2010 TIE50 Software Award (awarded to 10 startups out of 4,000 applicants) -Semi-finalist in the invitation-only Qualcomm Prize 2009 -Semi-finalist in the invitation-only McGinnis Venture 2009

Asyncast Logo

Director, Product Management

Asyncast

June 2008 - December 2009

Led the product management organization for an early “Spotify for news” service startup.

Nuance Communications Logo

Sr. product manager

Nuance Communications

August 2006 - July 2008

After BeVocal was acquired by Nuance Communications for over $140M in 2006, transitioned into product management to lead the product integration of the BeVocal platform into the "Nuance On Demand" network, drove requirements for key client deployments (DisneyWorld Resorts, AT&T Mobile etc…)

Education

Carnegie Mellon School of Computer Science Logo

Carnegie Mellon School of Computer Science

BS, Computer Science / Modern Languages

Carnegie Mellon Logo

Carnegie Mellon

MS, Software Management

Bertrand D.

Bertrand D.

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