Trailblazing Women in Product Management: Sara Edwards, Director of Product at Progressive

In this edition of our Women in Product Management series, we speak with Sara Edwards, Director of Product Management at Progressive Insurance. From a Fine Arts background to leading product strategy in a Fortune 100 company, Sara shares how curiosity, empathy, and emotional intelligence helped shape her career. She offers insights for women in tech, product leaders, and anyone exploring product management as a career path.

From Design to Product Management: Sara Edwards’ Unique Journey

Sara’s journey into Product Management was anything but traditional. With a Fine Arts degree and early roles in UX and service design, she naturally gravitated toward solving user problems. Her curiosity and desire to understand business strategy and customer needs laid the foundation for a career in product.

“My background in the arts helped me connect deeply with users,” Sara says. “But I also became fascinated with how product decisions were made — that curiosity led me to product management.”

Why Curiosity and Empathy Fuel Great Product Leaders

Sara emphasizes the value of emotional intelligence in building strong relationships. “Your job as a PM is to bring clarity, not confusion. You need to know how to read a room, manage tension, and make others feel heard — especially in cross-functional teams.”

Challenges and Lessons in Product Management

Throughout her career, Sara encountered challenges that required resilience, including navigating male-dominated leadership spaces and balancing motherhood with high-stakes roles. She credits her ability to step into difficult conversations and hold space for diverse views as a leadership strength.

“Being willing to feel discomfort is what allows you to grow.”

The Power of Relationships and Emotional Intelligence

Sara believes that relationships are the currency of leadership. Whether it’s aligning with stakeholders or empowering engineers, the best PMs are those who understand people as much as they understand products.

Advice for Women Exploring Product Management Careers

Sara encourages women to seek out mentorship, be brave in asking questions, and continuously invest in personal growth.

“I love seeing women in Product thrive,” she says. “But we need to normalize taking up space and asking for what we want.”

What Sara Looks for When Hiring Product Managers

When evaluating PM candidates, Sara looks for:

• Curiosity and willingness to learn
• Strategic thinking and clarity
• Comfort with ambiguity
• Strong storytelling and collaboration skills

Guiding Principles and Bravery in Tech Leadership

One of Sara’s favorite exercises is the Personal Operating Manual — a tool for teams to reflect on how they work best. It’s part of her broader belief in self-awareness, feedback loops, and being intentional with culture.

“Leadership is about being brave — asking questions, trying new things, and building systems where people thrive.”

Final Thoughts

Sara Edwards’ career is a testament to how curiosity, empathy, and a love for learning can lead to powerful leadership in product. Her story continues to inspire not just women in Product Management, but anyone ready to make a meaningful impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How can women break into Product Management?
A: Seek mentorship, build curiosity, and invest in career development. Communities like Women in Product can provide guidance and support.

Q2: What qualities make a great Product Manager?
A: According to Sara Edwards, curiosity, emotional intelligence, and strong communication skills are essential.

Q3: Why is emotional intelligence important in Product Management?
A: It helps PMs build stronger relationships, resolve conflict, and stay customer-centric.

Q4: What is the Personal Operating Manual exercise?
A: A tool that helps teams build self-awareness, communicate preferences, and strengthen collaboration.