Productside Stories

From Vision to Impact: Innovate Like a Pro! Michelle Felice-Steele on Product Management Success

Featured Guest:

Michelle Felice-Steele | VP of Product Management at Experian Consumer Services
19/11/2024

Summary

In this episode, Nicole Tieche sits down with Michelle Felice-Steele, Vice President of Product Management at Experian Consumer Services, to discuss her career evolution and the principles behind effective product management. Michelle recounts her early experiences in content and project management, explaining how creativity and technical skill merged to shape her path toward product leadership.

They explore the power of consumer insights, stakeholder alignment, and the ability to communicate effectively across teams. Michelle shares how her leadership philosophy emphasizes innovation, curiosity, and emotional intelligence—critical traits for long-term success in product management.

She also provides inspiring advice for women entering the field, discussing how to overcome imposter syndrome, build a strong foundation in both technical and soft skills, and cultivate a personal network of mentors.

Takeaways

  • Product management combines creativity, strategy, and technical understanding.

  • Stay close to your end users—customer empathy drives great products.

  • Adapt your communication style for each stakeholder audience.

  • Leadership begins by raising your hand and volunteering for challenges.

  • Always be learning—curiosity fuels innovation.

  • Innovation takes time; complex problems require patience and collaboration.

  • Seek mentorship and support from your peers and leaders.

  • Overcoming imposter syndrome requires confidence and continuous learning.

  • Soft skills like storytelling and influence are as crucial as technical skills.

  • Build community—strong relationships accelerate growth and innovation.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Michelle’s Path into Product Management
04:41 Finding Inspiration in Consumer Insights
06:21 Communicating Effectively with Stakeholders
08:28 Developing Leadership Skills and Career Growth
10:00 Hiring and Building Product Teams
11:46 The Role of Innovation in Product Management
13:46 Encouraging More Women into Product Management
15:47 Mentorship and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
17:37 Continuous Learning and Growth
18:07 Michelle’s Favorite Podcasts and Learning Resources
19:04 How to Connect with Michelle Felice-Steele

Keywords

product management, leadership, innovation, women in tech, mentorship, Experian, product teams, consumer insights, communication, stakeholder management, imposter syndrome, continuous learning, Nicole Tieche, Michelle Felice-Steele, career growth, Trailblazing Women in Product Management

Introduction and Michelle’s Path into Product Management

Nicole Tieche | 00:00–00:41

Hi everyone, I’m **Nicole Tieche**, host of *Trailblazing Women in Product Management*. Today, my guest is **Michelle Felice-Steele**, Vice President of Product Management at **Experian Consumer Services**. Michelle, welcome!

Michelle Felice-Steele | 00:41–04:41

Thank you, Nicole! I’m so excited to be here. My career has spanned over 24 years now. It started in the late 90s when I joined *Vegas.com* — an online startup at the dawn of the internet. I was studying journalism at the time, but I quickly fell in love with the creative and technical blend of online work.

Later, I moved to Los Angeles and transitioned into project management, which gave me a strong foundation in communication, technology, and managing by influence. But I missed the creative side — I wanted to have a say in the what and why of what we built, not just the when. That’s what drew me into product management.

Once I made that shift, it felt like home. It combined creativity, technical problem-solving, and business strategy. Fourteen years later, I’m still in love with it.

Finding Inspiration in Consumer Insights

Michelle Felice-Steele | 04:41–06:21

I find inspiration in **consumer insights** — really understanding who you’re solving for. At Experian, our insights team interviews users and brings back the “why” behind their behaviors. Listening to those stories reminds me that every data point represents a human need or problem we can solve.

Communicating Effectively with Stakeholders

Michelle Felice-Steele | 06:21–08:28

Communication is everything. I teach my team to **tailor their message** to the audience. You don’t talk to developers the same way you talk to executives. As product managers, we’re storytellers. Your message should be concise, relevant, and actionable — whether it’s an elevator pitch for a VP or a detailed discussion with engineers.

Developing Leadership Skills and Career Growth

Michelle Felice-Steele | 08:28–10:00

My best advice: **seek opportunities**. Raise your hand, volunteer for projects, and stay curious. You don’t need to know everything — just show a willingness to learn. Ask good questions and be authentic. That’s how you grow into leadership.

Hiring and Building Product Teams

Michelle Felice-Steele | 10:00–11:46

When hiring, I look for people who have solved **complex problems** and can articulate the user journey. Industry experience helps, but curiosity, collaboration, and communication matter more. Whether you’re a technical PM or a design-focused one, the ability to connect dots across disciplines is invaluable.

The Role of Innovation in Product Management

Michelle Felice-Steele | 11:46–13:46

Innovation is my passion. It’s about finding creative solutions to real problems. One of my favorite projects was **Experian Boost**, a groundbreaking product that helped consumers improve their credit scores instantly. It was hard — innovation always is — but deeply rewarding. When you see customers’ lives improve, it’s all worth it.

Encouraging More Women into Product Management

Michelle Felice-Steele | 13:46–15:47

My advice to women aspiring to enter product management: **build your foundation**. Read books like *Inspired* and *Empowered* by Marty Cagan, *The Lean Product Playbook*, and *Hooked* by Nir Eyal. Develop technical literacy and strong soft skills — communication, collaboration, and curiosity. These matter more than any title.

Mentorship and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Michelle Felice-Steele | 15:47–17:37

Seek mentorship. I’ve been both a mentor and a mentee through our **Women in Experian Mentorship Program**, and it’s been transformative. We all face **imposter syndrome**, but mentorship helps you reframe doubt as growth. Confidence comes from action, not perfection.

Continuous Learning and Growth

Michelle Felice-Steele | 17:37–18:07

Always be learning — not just through books, but through conversations, podcasts, and new experiences. Growth happens when you stay curious.

Michelle’s Favorite Podcasts and Learning Resources

Michelle Felice-Steele | 18:07–19:04

My favorite podcasts are *WorkLife with Adam Grant*, *How I Built This* with Guy Raz, and *Financial Feminist*. I spend hours in L.A. traffic, so I use that time to learn. Audiobooks and thought leadership content keep me inspired.

How to Connect with Michelle Felice-Steele

Nicole Tieche & Michelle Felice-Steele | 19:04–End

**Nicole:** Michelle, thank you for your time and insights — this has been fantastic. **Michelle:** Thank you, Nicole. You can connect with me on **LinkedIn** if you’re interested in product management or want to discuss innovation and leadership. **Nicole:** Wonderful. And to our listeners, thank you for tuning in to *Productside Stories*. Be sure to subscribe for more empowering conversations with inspiring product leaders.