Spotlight on 2019 Product Games Finalists — The Wharton School
As a team of six first-year Wharton MBA students with a passion for product innovation, Team Buddy.AI present a 24/7 mental health companion who understands emotional needs and behavioral patterns through different stages of life. Read on to learn about their backgrounds, and what draws them to product management in particular.
Yuri Takeuchi
Current degree: Wharton MBA, Class of 2020
Other degrees: The University of Tokyo, Major: Law
Most recent role: Corporate Communications, Mitsubishi Corporation
What interests you about product management?
It’s the perfect intersections of my interests in technology, people behaviors, and business strategy. I’ve always enjoyed work where I could pick up insights from my observations and figure out ways to creatively/cross-functionally apply them, and would love to continue doing that every day!
Yifan Chen
Current degree: Wharton MBA, Class of 2020
Other degrees: Yale University, Major: Biology
Most recent role: Engineering Manager, AdhereTech
What interests you about product management?
As a former management consultant and software engineer, product management allows me to combine my business and technical skills to drive the vision, formulation, and launch of cutting-edge technology products. I enjoy working with both business and engineering professionals in a collaborate environment to balance business and technical needs, incentives, and capabilities.
Christina Huang
Current degree: Wharton MBA, Class of 2020
Other degrees: Columbia University, Major: Chemical Engineering
Most recent role: Assistant Vice President, Citi
What interests you about product management?
Product management sits at the intersection of engineering, business, and design. I’m interested in working cross-functionally to define the vision, build, and ship innovative products/services that drive tangible impact for consumers.
Hongyi Yan
Current degree: Wharton MBA, Class of 2020
Other degrees: Nanyang Technological University, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Singapore
Most recent role:
APAC Digital Product Line Owner, Johnson & Johnson
What interests you about product management?
I have been really enjoying working as a Product Manager because it is a unique combination of leadership, creativity, strategic thinking, and deep customer empathy. I would love to continue my journey on Product Management to bring humanity elements into a technology product.
Chelsie Zhang
Current degree: Wharton MBA, Class of 2020
Other degrees: University of Southern California, Major: Industrial and Systems Engineering
Most recent role: Senior associate, PwC Technology Consulting
What interests you about product management?
I’m passionate about driving product innovation from strategy to execution. Coming from engineering and consulting background, product management is a perfect role for me to drive impact, bridge customer needs and technology, and facilitate collaborations among cross-functional stakeholders.
Cynthia Kusumawardhani
Current degree: Wharton MBA, Class of 2020
Other degrees: National University of Singapore, Industrial and Systems Engineering
Most recent role: Associate, Deutsche Bank, Payments Technology
What interests you about product management?
Product management is an area where we can leverage on our innate curiosity to find unique opportunities, immerse in the passion of cross-functional technology teams, and creatively innovate solutions to solve some of society’s biggest problems, one product at a time. With a passion to never stop dreaming, we are at a very fulfilling position to ride on the wave of technology advancements and define the future of tomorrow. That is a challenge that I am extremely pumped up for!
