In this special episode of the Priyanka Shinde Podcast, we’re joined by Bernard Yee — a pioneering force in the world of immersive entertainment and cutting-edge gaming innovation. Bernard is the CEO and Co-founder of Windup Minds, and a former leader at Meta/Oculus, PopCap, Bungie, and Harmonix, where he played pivotal roles in shaping the future of gaming in AR, VR.

With a remarkable career spanning decade, Bernard has led production, design, and strategy for some of the most iconic platforms and titles across VR, AR, mobile, and console gaming. From shaping the social experiences in Oculus to crafting player-first worlds at Bungie and Harmonix, Bernard brings a unique blend of creative vision and product excellence to every venture he leads.

🔊 Get ready for a future-forward conversation as Bernard shares his journey through the evolving world of gaming and immersive tech, the business of building experiences that stick, and what’s next for creators in the metaverse and beyond.
📌 Connect with Bernard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernardyee/
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00:00 – Intro
01:00 – Meet the Guest
03:48 – Bernard's Career Journey
07:40 – Pivotal Moments in Tech
13:20 – Biggest Career Challenges
22:10 – The Reality of the TPM Role
36:00 – Working at Meta
38:50 – Company Values & Culture
45:00 – The Role of AI Today
49:20 – Embracing Risk & Innovation
51:05 – Advice for Aspiring Professionals
52:00 – Closing
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🌟 Join The host Priyanka Shinde and the guest Bernard Yee

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▶ About the Priyanka Shinde

I am an AI Product Leader and Execution Strategist with a proven track record of building, scaling, and delivering AI-powered innovations. With experience at Meta and Cruise, I have helped businesses leverage AI for growth, efficiency, and real-world impact. As an Executive Coach, Startup Advisor, Keynote Speaker, and Author, I am passionate about guiding leaders, entrepreneurs, and product teams to navigate the evolving AI landscape.
From developing cutting-edge AI solutions to mentoring the next generation of innovators, my mission is to bridge the gap between technology and execution—empowering businesses to thrive in the AI-driven future.

In this special episode of the Priyanka Shinde Podcast, we’re joined by Donna Griffit—a globally renowned Corporate Storyteller and Pitch Alchemist who has helped over 1,000 startups, Fortune 500 companies, and venture capitalists craft compelling narratives that win deals and drive success.

With 20+ years of experience across 30+ countries, Donna is a master of turning ideas into impactful messages. As a best-selling author and communication coach at Stanford GSB, she has empowered leaders and entrepreneurs to refine their pitches, captivate investors, and make their brands unforgettable.

✨ Expert in startup storytelling and fundraising pitches
✨ Communication coach for top executives and founders
✨ Best-selling author and global keynote speaker
✨ Trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies and VC firms

Get ready for an insightful conversation as Donna shares her expertise on mastering the art of storytelling, crafting investor-winning pitches, and unlocking the power of communication to drive business success!

📌 Connect with Donna Griffit - https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnaabraham/

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00:00-01:05 – Intro
01:05-02:10 – Meet the guest
02:10-03:10 – Guest’s background
03:10-08:35 – Journey and career highlights
08:35-16:50 – Pivotal moments and key decisions
16:50-21:20 – Elements of a powerful story
21:20-28:50 – Understanding client pain points
28:50-29:10 – Connecting the dots in storytelling
29:10-32:00 – Helping founders craft their narrative
32:00-34:00 – Steps to improve storytelling
34:00-36:20 – Common communication mistakes
36:20-44:00 – Inspiration behind writing a book
44:00-45:50 – Meaning and impact of storytelling
45:50-48:20 – The Ikigai model and its relevance
48:20-49:12 – Thank you
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Work with Priyanka Shinde
Read her Book - The Art of Strategic Execution

▶ About the Priyanka Shinde

I am an AI Product Leader and Execution Strategist with a proven track record of building, scaling, and delivering AI-powered innovations. With experience at Meta and Cruise, I have helped businesses leverage AI for growth, efficiency, and real-world impact. As an Executive Coach, Startup Advisor, Keynote Speaker, and Author, I am passionate about guiding leaders, entrepreneurs, and product teams to navigate the evolving AI landscape.
From developing cutting-edge AI solutions to mentoring the next generation of innovators, my mission is to bridge the gap between technology and execution—empowering businesses to thrive in the AI-driven future.

In this special episode of the Priyanka Shinde Podcast, we’re joined by Ali Dasdan—a visionary technology leader, global innovator, CTO at Dropbox and ex EVP & CTO of ZoomInfo.

With a remarkable career spanning over two decades, Ali has led high-impact engineering and product teams at some of the world’s most influential tech companies. At ZoomInfo, Ali led the global engineering division, driving innovation in one of the most powerful go-to-market platforms that helps businesses find, acquire, and grow customers.
Previously, Ali played a pivotal role at Atlassian, where he led engineering for widely used work management products like Confluence, Trello, and Jira Work Management. His extensive experience also includes leadership roles across startups and global enterprises—bringing deep expertise in engineering, product management, technical operations, and data science.
Ali holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and is a recognized expert with numerous research publications and patents in big systems, big data, and big science.

In this episode, we dive into:

- The art of scaling global engineering teams
- Product innovation in fast-paced tech environments
- Building platforms that drive customer growth
- Lessons from leading at Atlassian and ZoomInfo
- The future of AI, data, and engineering leadership

Get ready for a thought-provoking conversation with Ali Dasdan, as we explore the world of technology leadership, innovation at scale, and building tech that transforms businesses.

📌 Connect with Ali Dasdan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dasdan/

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00:00 – Introduction
01:10 – Meet the Guest: Ali Dasdan
03:40 – A Day in the Life of a CTO
07:10 – Productization: Where to Start and Stop
09:18 – Balancing Tech Leadership & Business Vision
14:28 – What It Takes to Be a Great CTO
17:55 – The Power of Broader Leadership Skills
22:10 – Navigating Leadership Challenges
25:20 – Early Work in AI and Emerging Tech
30:30 – Managing Risk Within Tech Teams
32:45 – Future Technology Trends & Predictions
39:35 – Advice for Aspiring Tech Leaders
40:30 – Closing Remarks
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Work with Priyanka Shinde
Read her Book - The Art of Strategic Execution

▶ About the Priyanka Shinde

I am an AI Product Leader and Execution Strategist with a proven track record of building, scaling, and delivering AI-powered innovations. With experience at Meta and Cruise, I have helped businesses leverage AI for growth, efficiency, and real-world impact. As an Executive Coach, Startup Advisor, Keynote Speaker, and Author, I am passionate about guiding leaders, entrepreneurs, and product teams to navigate the evolving AI landscape.
From developing cutting-edge AI solutions to mentoring the next generation of innovators, my mission is to bridge the gap between technology and execution—empowering businesses to thrive in the AI-driven future.

In this special episode, we welcome Jonathan Shottan (Show-Tan)—a visionary leader shaping the future of fitness technology and digital wellness.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The future of fitness tech and connected wellness
• How product and content strategy can drive growth
• Insights from leading at top-tier companies like Facebook and Pinterest
• Lessons in scaling startups and navigating product-market fit
• What it takes to build tech that transforms human behavior

Get ready for a high-impact conversation with Jonathan Shottan as we explore the intersection of product innovation, leadership, and digital transformation.

📌 Connect with Jonathan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jshottan/

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00:00 – Intro

01:10 – Guest Introduction

03:50 – Jonathan’s Journey & Background

12:10 – Leadership Style & Approach

19:00 – Leading Products Across Different Environments

25:00 – Adapting Product Strategy to Customer Segments

27:45 – Room for Exploration in Product Development

29:55 – Navigating Hardware vs. Software Product Challenges

32:50 – What Makes Tonal Unique

35:00 – Insights on Physiotherapy & Wellness Integration

38:00 – Vision for the Next 5–10 Years

43:45 – Leading High-Impact Product Teams

47:00 – Role of AI in Product Strategy

52:40 – Founder's Mindset & Product Thinking

55:50 – Strategy vs. Education vs. Leadership: Budget Allocation

57:45 – Final Thoughts 

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Work with Priyanka Shinde
Read her Book - The Art of Strategic Execution

▶ About the Priyanka Shinde

I am an AI Product Leader and Execution Strategist with a proven track record of building, scaling, and delivering AI-powered innovations. With experience at Meta and Cruise, I have helped businesses leverage AI for growth, efficiency, and real-world impact. As an Executive Coach, Startup Advisor, Keynote Speaker, and Author, I am passionate about guiding leaders, entrepreneurs, and product teams to navigate the evolving AI landscape.
From developing cutting-edge AI solutions to mentoring the next generation of innovators, my mission is to bridge the gap between technology and execution—empowering businesses to thrive in the AI-driven future.

In this special episode of the Priyanka Shinde Podcast, we welcome Ryan Valles—Founder & CEO of Interview Kickstart, a pioneering platform that’s transforming how software engineers and AI professionals upskill and accelerate their careers.

With over 25,000 alumni and 700+ instructors from top tech giants, Together Ryan and Soham Mehta (Founder and CPTO) have built the largest US-focused training ecosystem for advanced tech talent. Their mission? To bridge the gap between raw potential and world-class technical excellence.

Before Interview Kickstart, Ryan worked at Accel Partners, supporting some of India’s most prominent consumer internet startups. He has also served as the CEO of a major e-commerce company and built a global career in consulting and private equity across the US, UK, South Africa, Australia, and India.

Outside the boardroom, Ryan is a passionate sportsman and a skilled musician—playing both guitar and piano.

🎯 In this episode, we explore:

• How Interview Kickstart is redefining tech education
• The secret to scaling a successful ed-tech company
• Lessons from investing and leading in fast-growth startups
• The future of AI, software careers, and talent development
• Personal insights on leadership, resilience, and reinvention

🔹 Get ready for a power-packed conversation with Ryan Valles as we dive into entrepreneurship, ed-tech innovation, and building the future of tech talent!

📌 Connect with Ryan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanvalles/

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00:00 – Intro
01:05 – Meet the Guest: Ryan Valles
03:15 – What are you currently working on?
06:50 – The story behind founding Interview Kickstart
10:00 – What skills really help in a job?
21:00 – Key focus areas of Interview Kickstart
22:23 – Challenges in growing a business
23:00 – The journey so far
28:22 – Company values and culture
30:40 – Goals for the next 6 months
32:28 – Building impactful products
34:38 – Scaling Interview Kickstart: Key success factors
46:24 – The role of luck in business
47:42 – Measuring success at Interview Kickstart
52:00 – Navigating the changing tech landscape
59:00 – Exciting trends & future opportunities
1:09:00 – What happens when

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Work with Priyanka Shinde
Read her Book - The Art of Strategic Execution

▶ About the Priyanka Shinde

I am an AI Product Leader and Execution Strategist with a proven track record of building, scaling, and delivering AI-powered innovations. With experience at Meta and Cruise, I have helped businesses leverage AI for growth, efficiency, and real-world impact. As an Executive Coach, Startup Advisor, Keynote Speaker, and Author, I am passionate about guiding leaders, entrepreneurs, and product teams to navigate the evolving AI landscape.
From developing cutting-edge AI solutions to mentoring the next generation of innovators, my mission is to bridge the gap between technology and execution—empowering businesses to thrive in the AI-driven future.

In this special episode of Priyanka Shinde Podcast, we welcome Manlio Lo Conte—a visionary Product Leader, Advisor, and Coach with a proven track record in the tech industry.

 As a former Chief Product Officer at Zwift, Manlio has led groundbreaking innovations in the digital fitness space, shaping how millions engage with technology-driven fitness solutions. With years of experience in product leadership, strategy, and innovation, he has helped companies build world-class digital experiences that drive impact and growth.

Passionate about mentorship and coaching, Manlio now advises startups and product teams on scaling products, user experience, and navigating the fast-paced tech landscape.

In this episode, we dive into:
- The future of digital products & innovation
- What it takes to be a successful product leader
- Lessons from leading at Zwift
- The evolving role of technology in fitness & lifestyle
- How startups can scale and build winning products

🔹 Get ready for an insight-packed conversation with Manlio Lo Conte, as we uncover the secrets of product leadership, innovation, and business success!

📌 Connect with Manlio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mloco/
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00:00-01:13 – Guest Introduction
01:13-04:40 – Current Role & Work
04:40-13:15 – Transition from Corporate to Today
13:15-20:10 – Startup vs. Big Tech Teams
20:10-26:49 – Managing Transitions as a Project Manager
26:49-31:40 – Adapting to a New Domain in the First 6 Months
31:40-37:20 – Scaling Teams from 20 to 80 at Zwift
37:20-43:00 – Prioritization as a Product Leader
43:00-44:15 – The Importance of Product Management
44:15-45:45 – Still Using Your Portal?
45:45-49:05 – First Reaction to ChatGPT
49:05-53:25 – Balancing Innovation & Ethics in Gen AI
53:25-57:00 – Biggest Gen AI Misconceptions in Product & UX
57:00-1:03:30 – Key Traits in Founders & Leaders
1:03:30-1:06:05 – Most Exciting Tech Opportunities
1:06:05-1:08:49 – Advice for Others
1:08:49-1:10:20 – Prioritizing Investments
1:10:20-1:10:45 – Thank You
----------------------------------------------

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Work with Priyanka Shinde
Read her Book - The Art of Strategic Execution

▶ About the Priyanka Shinde

I am an AI Product Leader and Execution Strategist with a proven track record of building, scaling, and delivering AI-powered innovations. With experience at Meta and Cruise, I have helped businesses leverage AI for growth, efficiency, and real-world impact. As an Executive Coach, Startup Advisor, Keynote Speaker, and Author, I am passionate about guiding leaders, entrepreneurs, and product teams to navigate the evolving AI landscape.
From developing cutting-edge AI solutions to mentoring the next generation of innovators, my mission is to bridge the gap between technology and execution—empowering businesses to thrive in the AI-driven future.

Welcome to another exciting episode of Unleash Your Leadership. On this episode, we will be diving deep into the world of essential soft skills and why they're absolutely crucial for success in the modern workplace.

I recently had the privilege of speaking at a Women Tech Conference where I gave a talk in this topic which will be valuable for everyone navigating today's rapidly changing work landscape. So, whether you're an emerging leader, a tech enthusiast, or simply someone looking to enhance their career, you're in the right place.

Discover why skills like communication, assertiveness, advocacy, courage, and adaptability are anything but "soft." These skills are your secret weapons for success, not just for women but all professionals . Join me as I share actionable steps to master these skills and learn how to leverage them to propel your career and create your version of success.

Read the "5 Hardcore Soft Skills You Need to Succeed in the Modern Workplace"
Watch Youtube video

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Work with Priyanka Shinde
Read her Book - The Art of Strategic Execution

▶ About the Priyanka Shinde

I am an AI Product Leader and Execution Strategist with a proven track record of building, scaling, and delivering AI-powered innovations. With experience at Meta and Cruise, I have helped businesses leverage AI for growth, efficiency, and real-world impact. As an Executive Coach, Startup Advisor, Keynote Speaker, and Author, I am passionate about guiding leaders, entrepreneurs, and product teams to navigate the evolving AI landscape.
From developing cutting-edge AI solutions to mentoring the next generation of innovators, my mission is to bridge the gap between technology and execution—empowering businesses to thrive in the AI-driven future.

Welcome back to the "Unleash Your Leadership" podcast! In today's episode, we're diving into part two of our conversation with the incredible Prashha Dutra, CEO of Believe in Your Brilliance LLC and a Confidence Coach who continues to inspire us with her insights and experiences. If you missed part one of our discussion, I highly recommend going back and checking it out, as we touched upon some fantastic topics.

In this episode, we're delving even deeper into Prashha's leadership journey and how she unleashed her leadership qualities to make a lasting impact on the world. From finding her values to embracing continuous learning, Prashha shares her journey of personal growth and empowerment.

Prasha's insights are invaluable, reminding us of the significance of investing in ourselves, embracing change, and leading with authenticity. So, join us as we continue to explore the journey of unleashing leadership potential in part two of our conversation with Prashha Dutra.

You can find more about Prashha Dutra 

• TEDx Talk - Why do so many women leave their careers in STEM?
• Website
• Follow her on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Check out and share this podcast more ways
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Work with Priyanka Shinde
Read her Book - The Art of Strategic Execution

▶ About the Priyanka Shinde

I am an AI Product Leader and Execution Strategist with a proven track record of building, scaling, and delivering AI-powered innovations. With experience at Meta and Cruise, I have helped businesses leverage AI for growth, efficiency, and real-world impact. As an Executive Coach, Startup Advisor, Keynote Speaker, and Author, I am passionate about guiding leaders, entrepreneurs, and product teams to navigate the evolving AI landscape.
From developing cutting-edge AI solutions to mentoring the next generation of innovators, my mission is to bridge the gap between technology and execution—empowering businesses to thrive in the AI-driven future.

Get ready for an inspiring episode of Unleash Your Leadership! In Part 1 of this engaging interview, I, Priyanka your host sits down with the remarkable Prashha Dutra, a TEDx speaker, CEO of Believe In Your Brilliance LLC, and a Confidence Coach. Prashha is on a mission to empower women in STEM fields, helping them find their path and confidently achieve their goals within 90 days.

In this episode, Prashha shares her journey from growing up in India, pursuing degrees in chemical and mechanical engineering, and ascending the corporate ladder. She reveals the turning points that led her to create her podcast "Her STEM Story," which showcases the stories of women in STEM, and how this eventually led to her stepping onto the TEDx stage.

Learn about Prashha's transition from her successful corporate career to founding her own business, and the "Believe In Your Brilliance Academy." Discover the importance of confidence, clarity, and consistency in achieving your goals, and how Prashha is guiding women towards realizing their potential and finding success on their own terms.

Tune in to gain insights into confident leadership, the power of caring for others, and the incredible journey of a woman who found her calling in inspiring and guiding others towards their brilliance.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this interview next week, where Prashha shares more wisdom and practical tips for unleashing your leadership potential.

You can find more about Prashha Dutra 

• TEDx Talk - Why do so many women leave their careers in STEM?
• Website
• Follow her on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook

Check out and share this podcast more ways
Youtube video
Blog post

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📌 Follow:
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Work with Priyanka Shinde
Read her Book - The Art of Strategic Execution

▶ About the Priyanka Shinde

I am an AI Product Leader and Execution Strategist with a proven track record of building, scaling, and delivering AI-powered innovations. With experience at Meta and Cruise, I have helped businesses leverage AI for growth, efficiency, and real-world impact. As an Executive Coach, Startup Advisor, Keynote Speaker, and Author, I am passionate about guiding leaders, entrepreneurs, and product teams to navigate the evolving AI landscape.
From developing cutting-edge AI solutions to mentoring the next generation of innovators, my mission is to bridge the gap between technology and execution—empowering businesses to thrive in the AI-driven future.

Welcome to "Unleash Your Leadership." In this episode, we delve into an unexpected source of leadership insights: parenthood. As summer fades and the back-to-school season begins, join us to explore the remarkable parallels between being a parent and a leader. Drawing from personal experiences, Priyanka shares ten profound lessons that span recognition, empowerment, embracing mistakes, and nurturing independence. Discover how parenting wisdom can transform your leadership approach, whether you're a parent, a leader, or someone eager to learn from diverse perspectives. Tune in to uncover the universal lessons that lie at the intersection of parenting and leadership.

Leadership lessons Youtube video
10 leadership lessons plog post

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Work with Priyanka Shinde
Read her Book - The Art of Strategic Execution

▶ About the Priyanka Shinde

I am an AI Product Leader and Execution Strategist with a proven track record of building, scaling, and delivering AI-powered innovations. With experience at Meta and Cruise, I have helped businesses leverage AI for growth, efficiency, and real-world impact. As an Executive Coach, Startup Advisor, Keynote Speaker, and Author, I am passionate about guiding leaders, entrepreneurs, and product teams to navigate the evolving AI landscape.
From developing cutting-edge AI solutions to mentoring the next generation of innovators, my mission is to bridge the gap between technology and execution—empowering businesses to thrive in the AI-driven future.