Our Lead(H)er series features impressive women leaders in the tech industry. In this Q&A, we are featuring Sarah Magluyan, Director Product Management, at Agero.
Where did you grow up and how would you describe yourself as a child?
Mission Viejo, CA. I was a happy and very shy kid -- I loved reading and spending afternoons after school at my neighbor’s house doing crafts.
What did you study in college and what was your first job out of school?
In college, I studied Applied Math, specializing in Statistics and Actuarial Science. Following graduation, I explored opportunities in actuarial roles but discovered it wasn't the right fit for me. It took me months of hunting, but I eventually landed a role as a Business Analyst at a health insurance tech company in Seattle. The job was primarily focused on gathering product requirements, which sparked my interest and led me into Product Management—a path I've been loving ever since!
Can you share the details on your career path and what were the critical moments that got you to where you are today?
Reflecting on my career journey, I see each instance of switching companies as having been pivotal in my career. Moving to a new company brings exposure to new and different industries, responsibilities, mentors, and colleagues, all of which have significantly shaped my perspective and approach to various challenges. Being intentional about those shifts has been instrumental in my professional growth and development.
What is your current role and responsibilities?
I’m currently Director of Product Management at Agero, focused on the roadside Service Provider experience in the platform. I work to establish a shared vision across the company by building consensus on strategies and priorities and lead a team of Product Managers through ideation, technical development, and launch of products against said strategy
Looking back, is this where you thought you’d be professionally? Was it always your goal to be in this position?
Definitely not. Through high school and college, I was set on being an actuary. After college, I realized my envisioned career path didn't really align with my interests. It was a challenging realization, particularly after dedicating four years to studying for that particular field. But in hindsight, I see a positive outcome. Even though I veered away from my initial trajectory, my background in math has proven to be incredibly useful in Product Management; it’s provided me with the analytical skills needed for data-driven decision-making, allowing me to strategize effectively, identify opportunities, and ensure successful product launches.
For people who are looking to be in a similar position, what advice would you give to others in terms of helping them achieve their career goals?
Be curious and ask questions! In Product Management, asking the right questions is crucial to the role: What’s the true problem we’re trying to solve? Why is it a problem? Why does it matter? Constantly asking questions gives you and others clarity on the goal and confidence in the strategy
What are the most important skills that you need to do your job well?
Prioritization: In Product, there will always be endless opportunities to pursue. Exercising clear prioritization helps ensure people are focused on the most impactful items to deliver on the broader strategy
Communication: Product involves close collaboration with various stakeholders including developers, designers, and executives. Being clear, transparent, and concise in communication goes a long way to ensure everyone’s aligned with the product vision, goals, and requirements.
Analytics: Tied to prioritization, data tells us a lot and helps us make informed Product decisions. Being comfortable with data is helpful in identifying and prioritizing opportunities + tracking and measuring the success of product launches
What do you find most interesting/rewarding about your work? What’s the most challenging?
Growing and leading a team of Product Managers has been both my most rewarding and challenging aspect of my career. It’s challenging in the sense that there’s no clear-cut path to success. But it’s incredibly rewarding to foster an environment where my team feels motivated around a collective goal, and it’s nice to be able to share my learnings to support their skill development to advance their careers.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
It’s difficult to choose, but I’m proud of helping establish and refine processes around A/B testing at my company. It’s been a useful tool in being able to measure success against our initial goals + reduce risk for product launches
Are you involved with any professional organizations outside of the company? Volunteer work?
No, but within my company, I’m a co-lead for the AAPI Associate Resource Group which celebrates, supports, and raises awareness for the Asian American & Pacific Islanders community.
Q&A
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Hosting dinner & game nights, going out on hikes, and travel: weekend getaways, international trips, and all things in between
How do you manage stress?
Two things come to mind:
- take a beat. If I feel stressed or overwhelmed, taking time for myself to do something I enjoy helps restore me.
- break things down into simple tasks. Do one small step at a time
How many cups of coffee do you have in a day?
1 cup only!
What advice do you have for recent college graduates?
Don’t be afraid to try out something new!
