Michelle Cavanaugh, Management Consultant in Orlando, FL, United States
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Michelle Cavanaugh

Verified Expert  in Management Consulting

Management Consulting Expert

Orlando, FL, United States

Toptal member since September 4, 2024

Expertise
Economic Development
Bio

Michelle is a results-driven product leader with expertise in product operations and lifecycle delivery, particularly in complex, highly regulated environments. With 12 years of experience at Fortune 100 companies like IBM, Verizon, Walmart, and Disney, she excels in strategic and analytical thinking. Michelle leads global product strategies, supports and inspires teams, and achieves business goals rapidly while building strong stakeholder relationships across all levels.

Career Highlights

Senior Director of Product Management
Ticketmaster
Consultant
Self-employed
Director of Product Management
Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution

Case Studies

Expertise

  • Agile UX
  • App UX
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
  • Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI)
  • Product Management
  • Product Operations
  • User Research
  • UX Audits

Work Experience

Senior Director of Product Management

2023 - PRESENT
Ticketmaster
  • Enhanced buyer behavior prediction accuracy by 35% across NFL, NBA, and theatre arts through advanced NLP and ML technologies.
  • Boosted client engagement by launching a machine learning analytics module that increased client retention by 20% and upsell opportunities by 15% in the first year.
  • Maximized revenue by developing an NLP framework to identify trends, resulting in a 25% rise in ticket sales for genres like theatre arts.
Focus areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Consultant

2016 - PRESENT
Self-employed
  • Elevated product growth through data-driven storytelling at Microsoft. I developed and implemented storytelling frameworks that leveraged data analysis to drive a 30% increase in user engagement and retention.
  • Integrated AI-driven features into core products, resulting in a 25% increase in revenue through new monetization strategies and premium offerings at Dell.
  • Led a comprehensive UX redesign that modernized the product interface at Cubic Corporation, reducing user friction and increasing customer satisfaction by 40%.
Focus areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Product Management, Machine Learning, Storytelling

Head of Product and UX – Advisory

2023 - 2023
GoodMaps
  • Enhanced accessibility through UX innovation, leading the design of an intuitive interface for the platform and improving usability for visually impaired users by 50%.
  • Developed a monetization strategy for the indoor mapping platform, resulting in a 30% increase in subscription-based revenue from public safety organizations.
  • Implemented critical data features for first responders, spearheading the integration of real-time data analytics to enhance first responders' situational awareness and safety during emergencies by 40%.
Focus areas: Product Leadership, Design Leadership

Director of Product Management

2022 - 2023
Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution
  • Developed and implemented monetization strategies that increased revenue from Disney's content assets by 35% across multiple platforms.
  • Unified cross-functional teams for product success. I led a collaborative team of senior product managers, engineers, designers, and SMEs, delivering a 25% reduction in time-to-market for new content-related products.
  • Integrated AI-driven analytics into the content supply chain, optimizing distribution strategies and boosting content reach by 40%.
Focus areas: Product Management

Senior Manager – Digital Learning Products

2021 - 2022
Discover
  • Launched and established the LaaS platform successfully, driving a 30% increase in developer engagement and open-source collaboration in the FinTech community.
  • Recruited, onboarded, and led a team of senior instructional designers, enhancing platform content quality and contributing to a 20% faster onboarding process for new users.
  • Implemented foundational processes and best practices, ensuring scalability and operational efficiency, leading to a 25% increase in platform adoption within the first year.
Focus areas: Product Management, Design

Senior Manager – Product Management

2019 - 2021
Walmart
  • Spearheaded the Agile product transformation, resulting in a 40% improvement in product delivery speed and cross-functional team collaboration across Walmart.
  • Optimized the AllSpark/Me@Walmart app, managing the integration of 92+ associate-facing applications into one super app, enhancing user experience, and driving a 30% increase in app usage among associates.
  • Streamlined operations for organizational efficiency and established strategic frameworks that aligned teams and processes, reducing operational inefficiencies by 25% and facilitating the adoption of Agile methodologies.
Focus areas: Product Management

Chief of Staff – Developer Advocacy

2018 - 2019
IBM
  • Led the first global Call for Code hackathon, boosting IBM open-source participation by 50% and driving solutions for natural disaster mitigation.
  • Forged key partnerships with the Clinton and David Clark foundations, expanding the reach and impact of the Call for Code initiative.
  • Scaled IBM's developer advocacy globally, increasing global developer engagement by 40% in open-source projects using emerging technologies.
Focus areas: Developer Advocacy, Product Management, Emerging Technologies

Member of Consulting Staff

2017 - 2018
University of Central Florida
  • Applied neurobiological storytelling techniques to guide app development, enhancing user engagement and fostering healthier habits among diabetic patients.
  • Enhanced user engagement through gamification and community-sharing features, resulting in a more engaging and supportive experience for diabetic patients.
  • Contributed to the successful prototype development of an app aimed at helping diabetic patients build healthier habits through innovative storytelling.
Focus areas: Digital Health, Product Management

Co-founder

2016 - 2018
RLTW Hatchet Holdings, LLC
  • Founded an outdoor lifestyle company, establishing a brand focused on music accessories and innovative boating, camping, and hiking products, with patents pending for key designs.
  • Designed unique products tailored to outdoor enthusiasts, driving brand recognition and setting the foundation for market entry.
  • Secured patents for groundbreaking outdoor and music accessory products, positioning the company for future growth and market differentiation.
Focus areas: Lifestyle

Chief of Staff – Executive Product Management

2016 - 2017
Verizon
  • Led a successful Agile transformation in financial systems within six months, driving significant improvements in collaboration with engineering and business teams.
  • Developed and implemented training programs that equipped teams with the skills to adopt new working methods, resulting in faster adaptation and improved efficiency.
  • Strategized organizational change by partnering with the VP of financial systems to craft and execute a comprehensive strategy, leading to a seamless transition to Agile practices across the organization.
Focus areas: Product Management, Leadership, Digital Transformation

Worldwide Design, Brand, and Communications Expert

2014 - 2016
IBM
  • Collaborated across design, engineering, product, and marketing teams to create a cohesive and unified user experience within IBM security products.
  • Led the development of compelling visual narratives for IBM security and cloud products, enhancing the impact of presentations at major events like RSA, TEDx, and SXSW.
  • Managed content and design for high-stakes presentations, elevating IBM's presence and influence at global conferences, including RSA and SXSW.
Focus areas: Product Development, New Product Development, Design

Lead Technical Writer

2012 - 2014
IBM
  • Led a team of technical writers and instructional designers to create cohesive and comprehensive digital product documentation and training materials for IBM's Smarter Workforce.
  • Developed and executed integrated marketing strategies and assets, enhancing the visibility and adoption of Smarter Workforce products within the target market.
  • Provided leadership to ensure alignment and consistency across documentation, training, and marketing efforts, resulting in a unified approach that improved user experience and product understanding.
Focus areas: Product Marketing

Education

2023 - 2024

Master's Degree in Information Design and Strategy

Northwestern University - Chicago, IL, USA

2011 - 2012

Bachelor's Degree in Technical Communications and Digital Media

University of Central Florida - Orlando, FL, USA

Certifications

MARCH 2021 - PRESENT

Product Management

Cornell University

JULY 2018 - PRESENT

Design Thinking

IBM

Skills

Other

Product Management, App UX, Agile UX, UX Audits, User Research, Product Owner, Product Operations, User Flows, UserVoice, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), Development, User Surveys, User Adoption, Web UX, Adobe UX, UX Flows, Data, Big Data, Data Visualization, AI Design, Artificial Intelligence as a Service (AIaaS), Machine Learning, Storytelling, Product Leadership, Design Leadership, Design, Developer Advocacy, Digital Health, Lifestyle, Leadership, Digital Transformation, Product Development, New Product Development, Product Marketing, Data Science, Design Thinking, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Emerging Technologies, Digital Product Management, Digital Product Development, UX Design

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