Hi, my name is Janae. Welcome!
I’m a Product Manager currently working as a User Experience Strategist at Noodle- striving to make higher education more affordable.
Tempe, Arizona
Studying Complex Systems Science at Arizona State University’s Complex Adaptive Systems School
Interests and Values
Public Good
At the heart of what I do, I want to spread good. If it’s really listening during user interviews, deeply considering accessibility, or critically thinking about possible impacts of change, I aim to look out for others. It’s where I find value, purpose, and meaning.
Interest: Urban Systems
My mind was opened with Charles Montgomery’s “Happy City” and my life hasn’t been the same since. I am fascinated by all the ways cities operate: how they grow, emerge, and act as their own organisms; ones that so powerfully impact our day-to-day lives and happiness. It’s the passion that started me on my Complex Systems journey!
Thoughtful Growth: Transparent Success and Transparent Failure
What are we intending to grow toward? What is the mission and what does success tangibly look like? Can it happen from the top or must it grow organically over time to utilize emergent properties?
Growth for growth’s sake should be examined as it often comes at unexpected (or ignored) costs.
Interdisciplinary Thinking
The problems we face today are complex and require deep thinking utilizing all the types of knowledge and perspectives we have at our disposal. It’s integral to stay curious and unbounded by the way things “are” to find sustainable and successful paths forward. Plus - it’s more fun!
It’s why I’m drawn toward being a product manager, I get to wear many hats, think about problems from several perspectives, and work across teams who think so differently.
Web and Tech Interactions
As much as I love thinking about big problems in big ways, my interests usually boil down to how people interact with technology. I’m fascinated by the possibility for good (how might public services be utilized more if it was just easier?) and the psychology behind communicating meaning via a screen or otherwise.
What I’m Learning
Workplace Skills & Experience
I develop thoughtful product roadmaps where engineering, design, and business align (or at least are on the same page!). I want to work with small, quick teams who have a unified purpose and keep users central to that mission.
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I thrive when I can get to deeply understand people- from business partners to users to customers (which might be different!). Success to me is making lives easier. I find it critical to find the meaningful data points that point to those goals.
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I have product management experience across B2B, B2B2C, and agency-style business models. I've brought legacy web apps to a modern future and brought a brand new software product to the hands of users.
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My bread and butter is shipping thoughtful software products. I have managed several development teams in a Product Management capacity. I focus on empowering engineering teams, cross-collaboration, and keen focus on success indicators.
Recent (Favorite) Reads
(I’m a bit of a bookworm)
