about
What I do
Product Management
At the intersection of customers, business, design, and technology, there is always an opportunity to build something meaningful. I help product/business leaders convert market needs into strategy, strategy into incremental product delivery, and delivery into continuous learning and improvement. The value is in what gets used, not in what gets built.
Innovation Strategy
Looking for fresh ideas to excite your customers or need help identifying which measurable improvements you can make to scale to new levels? I’ll help you harness quantitative and qualitative data, market research, an empathy map of your target customers, and innovation game theory to explore how to grow your product suite and business.
Design Thinking
Check out my blog, where I share ideas, stories, and philosophies to better understand the human condition in an effort to pave the road to a higher form of living. When brainstorming ideas, I take on an iterative, non-linear process, to understand the context, test ideas with users, re-frame the problem, prototype, and evaluate.
Entrepreneurial Endeavors
In 2017, I founded Concept Key, a digital innovation lab that designs and builds software products for Fortune 500 Companies. In 2015, I co-founded Volunteers For Smiles, a NYC non-profit organization that helps those less fortunate meet basic needs and realize personal goals and aspirations.
My Process
OBSERVE
DEFINE
IDEATE
DEVELOP
TEST
DELIVER
Past Clients
Fun Facts
A Koala bear once fell asleep on my shoulder and it was glorious
When the opportunity presents itself, I will play drums on almost any surface
In my spare time, I play volleyball, tennis, dodgeball, and run Tough Mudders
Chocolate chip cookies can be great answers to some of life’s toughest questions
Companies Founded
work
WORK HISTORY
Jan 2017 – Present
Founder, Fractional Senior Product Manager
Concept Key
Serving as a Fractional Senior Product Manager for Fortune 500 companies such as Carnival Cruise Line, Spirit Airlines, ASTM International, Comcast, Duracell, and Snackadabra. I help them stay competitive in their industry, better connect with their customers, and maximize their product’s potential. We begin by clarifying existing product/business strategy. Then, once a direction is decided, we partner to design, develop, and launch features/functionality.
Hire me as your fractional Senior Product Manager / Head of Product to unlock fresh perspectives on how you can add more value for your customers here.
Have an idea💡 for a product you want to build? I can help you with product strategy, design, development, & launch. Click here to submit a request for a free consultation.
October 2022 – Present
Senior Product Manager
Carnival Cruise Line
Building the future of the Carnival Hub App (Pre-Cruise and Onboard Experiences)
• 0-1 Pre-Cruise Experience
• Onboard Celebration Key Port Experience
• Onboard Account / Transaction Summary
• Payments
• Delivered a 330% mobile channel revenue lift by redefining the Carnival Hub App’s Pre-Cruise experience and leading a full rebuild on a modern stack
• Partnered with C-suite to align mobile roadmap with enterprise digital strategy
• Led launch of a dynamic port landing page experience that showcased immersive destination content, and optimized booking funnels accelerating conversion rates, contributing to record-breaking 2025 revenue with Celebration Key sailings and shore excursions fully sold out
• Improved development cycle time by 17% and achieved 11% annual development cost savings by introducing AI-driven design prototyping and PRD creation to facilitate cross-functional alignment across executive leadership, business, design, engineering, marketing, & vendor partners
• Increased feature adoption to 90% after launch and mobile app user engagement by 300% YoY
Jan 2024 – Present
Founder, Contributing Writer
Product Management Mastery Newsletter
A newsletter for mastering the art and science of product management
Jun 2021 – Jul 2022
Senior Product Manager
Vanguard
Product Managed the Vanguard Personal Advisor® and Vanguard Digital Advisor® experience for iOS (iPhone and iPad) and Android
• Spearheaded the design and launch of Vanguard’s AI-powered robo-advisory service, onboarding 300K+ users, raising NPS from 16 → 64 (+300%)
• Directed a 26-member cross-functional team of Engineers, UX Strategists & Designers, Data Analysts & Researchers through all phases of product delivery, from conception, through build, test phases, QA, launch, and support for the Vanguard App
• Established and evangelized Mobile Lab Agile and Vanguard CX processes, collaborating with 3 other mobile labs to coach junior PMs
• Initiated customer insights research and idea-benchmarking, conducted competitive analysis to drive data-informed development decisions
• Built A/B testing and experimentation framework that increased mobile feature satisfaction by 75% MoM and app user engagement by 25%
Dec 2019 – Jun 2020
Senior Product Manager
Comcast
Product-managed the delivery of multiple self-service experiences that empowered Xfinity customers to digitally troubleshoot issues with their Internet, TV, Xfinity Flex TV (IoT product), and Home Phone devices via the Xfinity My Account App (iOS & Android) as well as via Xfinity Support and My Account Web
• Launched digital self-service platform that reduced live-agent calls by $3M+ monthly and increased repair NPS+9.7, empowering Xfinity
customers to digitally troubleshoot issues with their Internet, TV, Flex TV (IoT product), and Home Phone devices via the Xfinity My Account App
(iOS & Android) as well as via Xfinity Support & Xfinity My Account Web
• Prioritized/ordered backlog based on maximum ROI/value, established acceptance criteria, KPIs, and release cadences
• Continuously monitored launched features against goals/KPIs, converting user and market data into recommendations for product improvement
• Set up Adobe analytics journey page click & impression tracking, driving an average 46% feature adoption rate within a week of feature launch
• Notable Metrics: Saw a 36% monthly increase in self-service digital repair transactions and a 15% monthly increase in visits to repair articles; Features drove a $3M+ monthly cost reduction associated with live agent calls, while delivering a +9.7-point increase in Repair Transaction NPS
Nov 2018 – Oct 2019
Senior Product Manager
Comcast
Product-managed the build of a construction orchestration tool and its associated e-learning platform to centralize tracking and management of all construction job types across divisions for Comcast’s Construction & Engineering organization
• In an Agile Scrum framework, liaised with cross-functional Construction, Design, Finance, Sales, & Software Engineering teams to evaluate and
prioritize features that would best achieve the organization’s key objectives (NPS, Customer Satisfaction, Feature Adoption Rate)
• Facilitated user research workshops; Created UI/UX design mockups; Performed user acceptance tests; Wrote release notes
• Worked with Program and Product leads to evangelize the product internally and gauge the effectiveness of product value delivered
• Notable metrics: 5.2K weekly active users; $500M+ in invoices processed; 140K+ jobs, 900K+ tasks managed; 160 vendors onboarded
Aug 2017 – Aug 2018
Product Manager & Engagement Lead
Duracell
Led product definition and execution of a 12-month roadmap to create the company’s 1st IoT digital product/platform, aimed to activate new customers, as well as, drive loyalty & retention
See Duracell – Battery App in the App Store
• Defined and executed a 12-month roadmap to create Duracell’s first Internet of Things (iOT)-enabled ecosystem, integrating hardware sensors
and a mobile app, aimed to activate new customers, and drive loyalty & retention
• Devised an eCommerce business case to drive new SaaS product sales and data monetization revenue via B2B & B2C channels
• Collaborated cross-functionally with Hardware/Software Engineers, UI/UX Designers, and Manufacturing vendors to design prototypes, produce
IoT sensors (hardware/firmware), and develop iOS/Android mobile product iterations, in an Agile/Lean Framework
• Wrote features and user stories for all workstreams, prioritizing continuously with the Heads of Marketing and Research & Development
• Conducted UX research studies to validate product hypotheses with consumers, all yielding successful NPS scores
Jan 2018 – Jun 2019
Head of Product
Rental Investor
A platform for real estate investors to research potential deals, evaluate options based on criteria, manage property/tenant info, as well as track investment property performance
• Productized the company’s product offering into multiple SaaS business models
• Led efforts to raise venture capital from investors
Apr 2017 – Jun 2017
Product Strategist (Consultant)
Snackadabra
• Performed user/market research, customer discovery, product-market fit analysis; crafted a 6-month execution roadmap
• Coordinated sales process improvement efforts, including assessment, benchmarking, process redesign, and integration into business
Nov 2015 – Dec 2018
Co-Founder/President
Volunteers For Smiles
Non-Profit Organization providing support to people struggling to meet basic needs necessary for survival (food, shelter, source of income), guiding individuals on how to build actionable plans to support themselves (finding work, shelter, and sustenance)
Feb 2015 – Jan 2017
Associate Management Consultant
Capco
• Led the User/Market Research Workstream on a project to build a Digital Retail Banking platform for Bradesco Next Bank – See Article
• Devised a business case and strategy for transforming core banking technology of a U.S. Bank
• Project-Managed the implementation of risk mitigation efforts to enhance AML Transaction Monitoring for a Global Bank
Jun 2013 – Nov 2014
Project Analyst
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Supported the International Private Bank in the automation of a securities-based lending initiative
Investment Bank Marketing Intern
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Planned and executed events, ranging in scope and size, for senior executives & clients
Operations Analyst Development Program
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Assisted the Private Bank with quality assurance, user acceptance testing, and automation of trade process-flow scorecards
Aug 2013 – Aug 2013
Google AdCamp Participant
Won 1st place in a team-based advertising challenge, which entailed market and consumer analysis, developing a creative advertising strategy, and presenting the final proposal to established sales leaders
Jan 2013 – May 2013
Digital Integrated Marketing Intern: Comedy Central, Spike TV & GameTrailers.com
Viacom
Brainstormed sponsorship ideas for Comedy Central and Spike TV’s upcoming shows and franchises, including the 2013 Guy’s Choice Awards
EDUCATION
Apr 2020 – May 2020
Technology Entrepreneurship
HarvardX University
Learned about the systematic process for technology commercialization to bring cutting-edge innovations out of the lab and into the world
Aug 2010 – May 2014
Bachelor of Business Administration
CUNY Bernard M. Baruch College, Zicklin School of Business
Studied Marketing Management with a minor in Psychology to understand why people do what they do and how to best serve their needs, wants and desires
Specializing In
Product Management
Innovation & Business Strategy
User/Market Research
Design Thinking
Project Management
Skills
Project Management Professional (PMP) 2017-2029
Certified Scrum Product Owner (CSPO)
Product Analytics Certification (PAC) ™
Real Estate Sales License
Testimonials
Abraham Pleah
Director, Technology Delivery & Transformation, Carnival Cruise Line
“I had the opportunity to work with Boris during our time at Carnival, and one thing that always stood out was his genuine focus on the customer and his ability to bring people together around a common goal.
Boris has a strong product mindset and does a great job balancing customer needs, business priorities, and technical realities. He asks thoughtful questions, welcomes different perspectives, and works hard to ensure teams stay focused on delivering value.
Beyond his professional skills, Boris is simply a good person to work with. He is approachable, collaborative, and consistently treats people with respect. Those qualities make a real difference when you’re navigating complex projects and cross-functional teams.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside Boris and would gladly do so again in the future.”
Randy Klein
Director of Product, ASTM International
“I’ve found Boris to be hard working, intelligent, and an excellent communicator. Boris has been a valuable member of the team. Boris’s contract ended at ASTM, but I’d certainly hire him again given the opportunity.”
Max Bidna
Founder, Marty Capital
“Boris is one of the most insightful and innovative people I have ever come across. His passion for discovering new technology helps any team he is on see the future. His communication skills help get his innovative ideas across. And most of all, his ability to gather insights quickly and adapt to strategy in a changing environment makes him a real value-add to any team looking to go fast and far.”
Robin Albin
SVP, Estée Lauder
“Passionate, enthusiastic, and Intelligent are words I would describe Boris. We met several years ago, when I was teaching a branding class. After the class was over, Boris challenged me on several ideas expressed and we engaged in a long discussion. Over the years, we’ve stayed in touch and I’ve seen him grow into a creative business strategist. In my mind, Boris has a brilliant future. His energy and desire are off the charts. I will continue to watch him grow and help him in any way I can.”
AJ Antonioli
Director of Product, Comcast
“Thoughtful, creative, and driven are the words that come to mind when I think of Boris.
Hired to lead product development for digital self-service experiences, Boris immediately rose to the challenge of both learning about the existing business / product / customers as well as delivering on the roadmap / goals.
He delivered on multiple quarters of feature releases, partnering with many cross-functional teams to do so and was both effective and well liked.
What impressed me the most is Boris’s ambition and willingness to take on challenges big and small – any team would be lucky to have him.”
Tina Prete
Senior Product Manager, Comcast
“I found working with Boris to be inspiring . He has a wealth of knowledge and is very inquisitive. He is always the first one to step up and take on a new challenge when ever one is presented to a team. Any company would be fortunate to have such a dedicated and passionate employee on their team.”
Michelle Silberman
CEO, Snackadabra
“Boris has a great head on his shoulders, he took the time to dissect my business needs and provided me with well thought out suggestions. His expertise shines bright via Concept Key. He is patient, strategic, and overall has a good sense of direction when it comes to his clients.”
Daniel Elias
Director of Marketing, Motivate App
“Boris is a strategic thinker that is able to grasp the big picture, while meticulously accounting for every detail. His ability to handle multiple projects and deliver on time was unlike any I’ve seen before. Boris always made sure everyone left with a smile and whether as a team member or a leader, Boris earns my highest regards.”
blog
Conducting Customer Discovery Process for New Features
How Product Managers Can Boost Effectiveness and Efficiency in Design and Development Teams
Vanity Metrics vs. Real Metrics: Understanding Growth and Success in Product Management
Developing Product “Spidey” Sense: Real-World Examples for Product Managers
How Do Product-Led Teams Prioritize What to Work on Next?
Leveraging AI to Boost Your Productivity as a Product Manager
Bridging the Gap Between Good and Great Product Management
Finding Product-Market Fit: A Startup’s Guide to Success
What is Technical Debt?
Top Product Management Tools
What is Agile Product Management?
Product Placement & Human Psychology
Important Books for Product Leaders
On Remarkable Selling Points
Product Management Decision Making
7 Failures to Avoid in Business Transformation for 2019
Why Dogs Live Less Than Humans
NetWeaving: A Smarter Way to Make Connections
8 Ways to Build Trust in Your Organization
John Wooden’s Tips on Leadership & Success
How About Helping Others?
3 Kinds of Friendships
16 Body Language Secrets
What Does It Mean To Flourish?
The Eightfold Path To Nirvana
6 Things About the Human Brain
Reading People Like You Have ESP
92 Little Tricks for BIG Success in Relationships
Sufism, Life, Death, & Spiritual Growth
Turning Strangers Into Friends
Getting Lost in Thought
Turning the Mind into a Resolution Fulfillment Machine
Caged, Comfortable, or Charged – Which is YOUR Life?
What If Everything You Believe Is A Lie?
Siege War Against Mental Independence
Four Agreements You Make With Yourself
Love in Retrospect
Religion & Happiness
Parallel Lines: the Past is Always Present
A Reminder of the Shortness of Life
Rose Beacons of Success In Human Relations & Hallmarks of Good Breeding
The Miracle of Language
Stepping Out of Reality’s Silhouette
What We Hear Vs. What We Come to Believe
Why Do We Trust Some People, But Not Others?
Why We Do What We Do
Putting Change Into Perspective
The Importance of Being Awe-Struck
Dissonance In Our Biology
… and So Our Journey Continues
product ideas
In the Making
It’s been said that “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – (Ancient Proverb) If you would like to collaborate with me and my team on any of the following ideas, please send a message with how you can contribute on the contact page. Chances are, we will have more success working together than on our own. So, let’s go far!
Side-Light Emitting LED Module
Partnered with Things4you to reinvent the LED light bulb! Introducing a new universal LED module that emits light sideways, enabling unlimited new ways for expressing LED light fixture designs. Multiple prototypes and light fixture designs have completed end-to-end testing. Patent has been submitted. Preliminary manufacturing and distribution partnership has been established with Tungsram (GE Lighting Europe). Go-to-market geographies include USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina. To learn more, visit our website, check out our teaser video, and view our pitch on the Angel Investment Network. Previously raised $125k (Seed Round); now seeking $250k (Angel Round) for 15% equity.
Party Planning Assistant
Getting friends together is already difficult, especially with how busy everyone is. Yet, once you’re together, how do you keep your guests entertained? The idea is to create a service to help with party planning. Upon event creation, the organizer would see a list of suggested activities based on the type of event chosen e.g. birthday party, bachelor/bachelorette party, baby shower, etc. The organizer can send custom designed invitations to attendees, the service would show an event countdown, send timely reminder notifications to invitee’s preferred calendars of the planned itinerary (before and during the event). Possible further integrations to enable photo sharing, group chat, and music playlist control can be considered as well.
Real Estate Investment Modeling Platform
A configurable (input/output) calculator for novice/advanced homebuyers to estimate real estate investment attractiveness by evaluating/forecasting Cap Rate, Gross Operating Income, Total Expenses, Cash Flow, Renting vs Buying, Tax Savings, Debt Service, and ROI. In addition, the application could input data from the MLS, Zillow, or other real estate database to pre-populate input values.
Pre-Collect Groceries
A time-saving platform-as-a-service charging $5-$20 to pre-collect groceries for busy people who like to personally pick out their produce. The supermarket would mobilize its workers to prepare a cart of items you have pre-selected and pre-paid for via the application, which showcases every item in store. You arrive, do your quality control, confirm payment, and are on your way. No lines. No lost time.
Smart Pill Box
A biometric secured smart pill box to help doctors monitor medication dispensed by their patients, ultimately helping fight the opioid crisis. Inline with HIPAA policies and procedures, this pill box, along with an app experience, would prevent medication theft, log consumption data, and generate smart insights to empower health policy makers and health insurance companies to drive the responsible administration of medication.
IOT Weight Monitoring Sensor
A sensor that monitors the weight of an object. Coupled with an app, people would be able to monitor the depletion of their home food products (the delta in weight signifies depletion). Restaurants would be able to monitor the change in food weight on a plate, so that they could ensure timely service for their patrons (cleanup, time of next entree). Smart learning capabilities can be added to analyze weight depletion patterns across different products.
Micro-Retail Stores
Empower up-and-coming brands to market/sell their products/services in small ~500 sq. ft. brick and mortar stores. Essentially, a Retail Airbnb. Brands would appreciate having an in-person touch point with customers as well as saving on significant supply chain/transportation costs. Customers would appreciate trying out products/services in-store, not worrying about shipping products back. There are a few competitors in this space (www.thestorefront.com), so execution is key, particularly in securing spaces and building out an engaging user/brand platform interface experience.
Haircuts As A Service
For those who prefer getting more than 1 haircut a month, pay a low flat fee to get up to 2 haircuts/month, a higher fee to get up to 4 haircuts/month, and the highest fee to get up to 8 haircuts/month. The idea is to create a platform for scheduling haircuts appointments, coupled with a calendar dashboard and loyalty analytics reporting. Hairstylists benefit from increased demand/revenue; clients benefit from added convenience and service. Both parties save time booking appointments. Payments can also be handled via the platform.
contact
Let’s Socialize
Let’s Chat