Michelle Wakefield
Product Manager, VP | United Kingdom
Professional Overview
Michelle Wakefield is an experienced Product Manager with a strong track record of driving digital transformation initiatives at leading financial services organizations. With a focus on digital wealth management solutions, she leverages her deep industry expertise and technical acumen to deliver innovative products that enhance the client experience and drive business growth.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As the VP of Product Management at BlackRock, Michelle is responsible for overseeing the development and delivery of the firm's digital wealth management platform. In this role, she leads a cross-functional team in defining the product roadmap, prioritizing features based on customer needs, and ensuring seamless integration with existing systems. Under her leadership, the platform has seen a 25% increase in user adoption and a 15% improvement in client satisfaction.
Career Progression
Prior to her current position, Michelle served as the Product Manager - Digital Wealth at BlackRock, where she played a pivotal role in the successful launch of the firm's first mobile app for wealth management clients. In this role, she collaborated closely with the design and engineering teams to create a user-friendly interface and optimize the app's functionality, resulting in a 30% increase in mobile-based transactions.
Before joining BlackRock, Michelle held various project management roles at Qrious Limited and Ubiquity New Zealand, where she demonstrated her ability to manage complex digital initiatives and deliver successful outcomes for her clients. Her experience in the healthcare and technology sectors has provided her with a well-rounded understanding of the challenges and opportunities inherent in digital transformation.
Academic Background
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Auckland, where she graduated with Distinction. Her academic achievements and technical expertise have been instrumental in her ability to bridge the gap between business objectives and technology solutions.
Areas of Expertise
- Digital product management
- Wealth management and financial services
- User experience design and optimization
- Agile project management
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Data-driven decision making
Professional Impact
Throughout her career, Michelle has been recognized for her strategic vision and ability to drive tangible business results. She has played a leading role in the development of several award-winning digital products, including a mobile app that was named "Best Wealth Management App" by a leading industry publication.
Michelle is also an active contributor to the product management community, regularly speaking at industry events and sharing her insights on the evolving landscape of digital wealth management.
Conclusion
With her deep industry expertise, strong technical background, and proven track record of delivering innovative digital solutions, Michelle Wakefield is poised to continue making a significant impact in the financial services sector. As VP of Product Management at BlackRock, she is well-positioned to guide the firm's digital transformation efforts and cement its position as a leader in the wealth management space.