Joel
Zien
Head of Strategic Growth
Thoughtworks
Joel Zien is a dynamic product consulting executive known for his role in helping shape the digital product landscapes of companies like Meta, Bose, Peloton, Ford, Rogers, RBC and more. With a career that spans over a decade, Joel's expertise in digital product strategy, Design/Product Thinking, and Agile methodologies has established him as a key figure in tech and product innovation. His journey from the culinary arts as a sous chef at Canada's esteemed Canoe restaurant to a product enthusiast exemplifies his versatility and resilience. A notable highlight in Joel's career was his tenure at Connected, a Toronto-based end-to-end product development firm. As the first business development hire and the 7th full-time employee, Joel was instrumental in defining the company's go-to-market strategy and securing their flagship customers. His efforts were pivotal in scaling Connected to over 200 full-time employees, culminating in its acquisition by Thoughtworks for over $100M, where he now leads Strategic Growth.
19 March 2025 09:00 - 09:15
Chairperson opening remarks
We begin with an introduction to the day and a short ice-breaker session to understand your goals, challenges and motivations for joining us today.
19 March 2025 17:00 - 17:15
Closing remarks
Our chairman will close at the end of day 1 of the summit.
20 March 2025 09:00 - 09:15
Chairperson opening remarks
We'll cover a quick re-cap of yesterday's highlights and look ahead to what's in store for the day two agenda.
20 March 2025 14:45 - 15:00
Closing remarks
And that's a wrap! Our chair will give the closing remarks and that marks the end of the final day of the summit.
19 March 2025 14:15 - 14:45
Fireside chat: Bridging the divide - Universal lessons in product innovation from hardware to software
This fireside chat aims to bridge the gap between hardware-centric and software-only product development worlds, presenting universal insights into innovation, strategy, and design that apply across all sectors of product management. While acknowledging the unique complexities introduced by hardware, the conversation will unearth strategies and lessons that are equally valuable to product leaders at pure software companies. This inclusive approach provides a broader perspective on innovation, offering valuable takeaways for attendees regardless of the physical component of their products.