Yaras S.

Yaras Shaikh

Break into Product Management | Apple & Nike PM | Carneige Mellon

Carnegie Mellon University Logo

Studied at Carnegie Mellon University

Nike Logo

Worked at Nike

Available tomorrow at 11:30 PM UTC

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

Yaras's Coaching Offerings

Custom hourly ยท $70/hr

Get help with General Exploration, Skill Building, and .

Yarasโ€™s Product Management Qualifications

Experience level: Group Product Manager

10+ people coached for Product Management

Seasoned Product Manager with a proven track record at Apple and Nike, building innovative, data-driven consumer experiences across technology, e-commerce, and AI-powered products. Skilled in translating complex business needs into impactful digital solutions from customer discovery to product delivery. I specialize in AI-assisted product development, rapid prototyping (Vibe Coding), and scalable growth strategies that bridge human insight and machine intelligence. I thrive at the intersection of product, data, and design, using an experimentation-first mindset to build products that are fast, secure, and human-centered. ๐—–๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐—–๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ฝ๐—ฒ๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ป๐—ฐ๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐˜€: โ€ข Product Strategy, Roadmapping & Execution โ€ข AI Product Management, Vibe Coding & Prompt Engineering โ€ข Customer Discovery & User Research โ€ข Data-Driven Decision Making & Product Analytics โ€ข UX/UI Collaboration & Prototyping (Figma, Vitara.ai, Lovable) โ€ข Agile Development (Scrum, Kanban, SAFe) โ€ข Stakeholder Management & Cross-Functional Leadership

Yaras can help with:

General Exploration

Skill Building

Strategy & Vision

Resume Review

Frameworks

Behavioral Interview Prep

Salary Negotiation

Execution

Promotion Strategy

Networking Strategy

LinkedIn Review

Influence & Collaboration

Product Case Interview Prep

Freelancing

Yaras also coaches for Masterโ€™s Programs and Career Coaching. View all.

About Yaras

Iโ€™m a builder at heart who took the scenic route into tech leadership. I worked as a Product Manager at Nike and Apple and bring a strong foundation in problem framing, user empathy, and prioritization the core of problem thinking. I earned my Master of Science in Software Management at Carnegie Mellon University, where I learned to translate messy ideas into products people actually love. Iโ€™ve shipped large-scale e-commerce and personalization features used by millions. What matters to me isnโ€™t just the launch; itโ€™s the story behind it, the trade-offs, the teamwork, and the growth. Iโ€™ve helped many international student figuring out a new system, early-career PM hunting for a break, and the lead PM guiding cross-functional teams through ambiguity. Those chapters taught me to coach with empathy and rigor: clear goals, honest feedback, and systems that make progress inevitable. Outside work, Iโ€™m usually hiking, traveling, and exploring new food. I love winding down with fictional shows and movies. I care deeply about sustainable habits (health, learning, craft) because lasting careers are marathons, not sprints.

Why do I coach?

Careers change when you combine empathy with rigor: honest feedback, clear goals, and systems that make progress inevitable. My style reflects my PM roots, problem framing, user empathy, and ruthless prioritization, so youโ€™re not just inspired; you have a roadmap to get you over the line. If youโ€™re looking for a coach who will help you clarify your story, build repeatable systems for execution, and stay accountable to the goals you set, Iโ€™d love to work with you. Whether youโ€™re an international student navigating a new path, a PM aiming for your next level, or a career-switcher breaking into product and AI, Iโ€™ve been in your shoes, and Iโ€™m here to help you move faster with confidence.

Work Experience

Nike Logo

Lead Product Manager

Nike

December 2023 - September 2025

Apple Logo

Senior Product Manager

Apple

2021 - 2023

 Blue Shield of California  Logo

Product Manager

Blue Shield of California

2016 - 2021

Amgen Logo

Senior Business Analyst

Amgen

2014 - 2016

Citi Bank Logo

Business Analyst

Citi Bank

2013 - 2014

Education

Carnegie Mellon University Logo

Carnegie Mellon University

Master of Science, Software Management

Completed a Master of Science in Software Management at Carnegie Mellon University, an interdisciplinary program focused on the intersection of software engineering, product management, and business leadership. The program provided a strong foundation in software management, product strategy, engineering leadership, process and project management, and data-driven decision-making. Through coursework including Product Management, Software Engineering Management, Metrics for Technology Products & Services, Integrated Thinking for Innovation, Problem Discovery & Definition, Product & Business Models, Solution Strategy & Marketing, I developed the ability to navigate complex, ambiguous challenges across the full software and product lifecycle. Alongside academics, I served as a Student Admissions Ambassador, where I supported prospective students through admissions assistance and counseling, represented the MSSM program in information sessions, and helped candidates understand program structure, curriculum, and career pathways. This role strengthened my skills in communication, mentorship, stakeholder engagement, and student advocacy, while contributing to the broader CMU community. This experience has shaped me into a professional who can think strategically, collaborate across disciplines, and lead with empathy, prepared to drive impact in technology-driven organizations.

Yaras S.

Yaras S.

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