Her Story
About Tara
I've been in consumer products for about 18 years now. I started my career as a graphic designer with the company I'm with now and just worked my way through to senior designer. I had the opportunity to jump over to our product team, learned the ropes for 3 years, got promoted to senior product manager, and then a year after that, got promoted to director of product. A year after that, I got promoted to director of product and creative. I have a unique perspective in my field that is both the creative angle and the product angle, which is very rare in consumer products. It really helps me bridge the gap between these two teams and build a very strong unit that works together well. My main area of expertise is definitely consumer products with a concentration in people management. Consumer products in general is very chaotic, with different properties coming in at different times, so it's managing the flow of how we ingest products and how we balance those projects within both sides of the team for best creative flow between the creative and the product teams. My day-to-day is really managing the people and stoking the fires to keep the team engaged and creative. My most notable professional achievement is definitely bridging the gap between product and creative. You're not going to find that in a typical company. Usually, you've got a creative director and a product director that have to work together to build the processes, where I have come in with both perspectives and bridged the gap naturally, and I can coach through both sides of my team to really create this cohesive unit.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tara
01What do you attribute your success to?
I have a great mindset around being resilient and adapting to my surroundings. I've never been one to really dwell on situations that change. It's like, okay, this is what's in front of me, control the controllables, right? So, you know, things will shift and change, and I just keep things moving forward. I don't let setbacks hold me back. I focus on what I can control and adapt quickly to whatever comes my way.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say network, learn how to network, and hold your boundaries, but absorb everything you can. Adopt an agile mindset. Things shift in the industry quickly, and being able to adapt to it quickly will progress your career. Get fully immersed in your work and really get in and do the work. I've found that true immersion is the most impactful. Really lean into absorbing everything around you, even cross-functional departments. Stay connected and learn how what you're deciding impacts other teams. Go talk to people and educate yourself through conversations and being in it.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
What I'm seeing the most is companies are operating with lean staff, and employees are expected and asked to pick up more. This means we need to adapt and really look at whether there are tools or resources we can pick up that will help us move as quick as having a full staff. Looking at AI technologies to help assist in that realm is definitely something we're exploring. There's a learning curve there, and with a lean staff, you have to have that dedicated time. But you still have to hold your boundaries and not let it eat you up and maintain your work-life balance as well.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I lead with empathy throughout my life. I've had some personal challenges, especially growing up, and it's really allowed me to show up with an immense amount of empathy for those around me, whether they're on my team or cross-functional members of my team. I can see where everybody's coming from and really kind of steer the direction because I can see that. Empathy helps me understand different perspectives and bring people together effectively.
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