Master of Product Design & Development Management, Northwestern University

Last week, the MPD2 Class of 2026 wrapped up Supply Chain Management with Professor Achal Bassamboo.

Throughout the quarter, students explored how operational decisions shape product success, customer experience, and business performance. One of the course highlights was the Beer Supply Chain Game, which brought supply chain dynamics to life and sparked thoughtful discussions around coordination, information flow, demand variability, and decision-making.

The classroom conversations extended well beyond the simulations and cases. Students challenged assumptions, debated tradeoffs, and shared perspectives drawn from their own professional experiences, creating a rich learning environment for everyone involved.

Experiences like this are a core part of the MPD2 journey bringing together diverse professional backgrounds to tackle complex business challenges through discussion, collaboration, and real-world application.

Thank you, Professor Bassamboo, for an engaging quarter and for helping our students think more deeply about the role of operations and supply chains in successful product organizations.

As the MPD2 journey comes to a close, we are proud to spotlight Team Green and their capstone project with CGI.

The team is addressing a challenge that many organizations face today.

“How to successfully adopt and scale AI-powered digital capabilities in ways that are both user-centered and operationally effective.”

Their work explores how behavioral science can help drive AI adoption within organizations, enabling new technologies to create meaningful value for both users and the business. By examining the human factors that influence adoption, engagement, and long-term success, the team is developing a perspective on how organizations can more effectively realize the benefits of digital transformation.

Guided by Michael (Mike) Hyzy, Vice President, National AI Strategy & Product Development Lead at CGI U.S., and supported by MPD2 alumni mentor Catherine Zhong, Principal Product Manager at Adobe, Team Green is applying an interdisciplinary approach that balances user needs, business objectives, and organizational realities.
This project reflects a defining strength of the MPD2 program: the opportunity to work on complex, emerging challenges while integrating design, engineering, and business thinking to create solutions with real-world impact.

Team Green (left to right): Ashna, Dhanashree, Joanne, Jaixin, Sakshi, and Vivek

Reflecting on their experience, the team shared:
"One of the most rewarding aspects of this project has been tackling a challenge with no obvious answer. The problem required us to think across technology, human behavior, and organizational change, pushing us to expand how we approach product development and innovation.

Mike and Catherine have been invaluable throughout this journey. They consistently challenged us to think more critically about the problem, consider different perspectives, and focus on the broader impact of our work. Their guidance helped us strengthen our thinking while giving us the ownership to drive the project forward. Through this experience, we've become more confident navigating ambiguity and more prepared to lead complex product initiatives in the future."

We extend our sincere thanks to CGI, Mike Hyzy, and Catherine Zhong for their partnership, mentorship, and continued investment in shaping the next generation of product innovators.

Fuel successful product leadership and innovation through Northwestern's Master of Product Design and Development Management program. Our curriculum is designed to provide graduates a pathway to senior management through a comprehensive understanding of design and related business application processes.

Learn more at our upcoming online information session on Thursday, June 11 at 6:00 p.m. CDT.

Register at bit.ly/3PbnXHv

Last week, the Northwestern University Master of Product Design and Development Management (MPD2) program had the opportunity to host an engaging open house with members of the MPD2 Board and current cohort students.

The event brought together industry leaders and students for meaningful conversations over lunch, creating space to discuss evolving industry trends, leadership in product development, and the importance of thinking systematically in today’s product landscape.

At the core of the MPD2 community is our commitment to connecting students directly with experienced professionals who help bridge classroom learning with real-world innovation, industry insights, and leadership experiences.

A special thank you to Erik Didriksen, Rashaada Cook, Katie Morgenroth, Gary Hallgren, Amber H., Mitul Patel, and Courtney Welton for joining us last week and generously sharing your experiences, insights, and perspectives with our students.

Your engagement continues to inspire the next generation of product leaders.

As our capstone projects continue, Team Blue’s work reflects how MPD2 students are exploring emerging opportunities at the intersection of data, design, and human health.

In collaboration with iFIT, the team is exploring how a leading connected fitness platform can evolve into a more holistic, connected health experience, particularly in the women’s health and fitness space.

Their focus is on designing a system that delivers personalized, data-driven health recommendations, moving beyond workout tracking to provide meaningful insights that support each user’s broader wellness journey. By combining behavioral insights, user data, and human-centered design, the team is working to translate complex information into actionable everyday value.

Guided by Rick Hoobler, Joshua Naylor, John Latanzi, and Rachel Alexander of iFIT, and supported by MPD2 alumni mentor Sabrina Katz, Team Blue is applying an interdisciplinary approach that balances design innovation, technical feasibility, and product strategy.

This project highlights a defining aspect of the MPD experience: the opportunity to work on forward-looking challenges where technology, data, and user experience converge to shape the future of connected product ecosystems.

Team Blue (left to right): Ian Fried, Shahan Ahmed, Matt Czach

Reflecting on their experience, the team shared:

“Working with iFIT has been a great experience. They have offered us a unique and challenging proposition to work on. During our meetings, they are engaged and collaborative, always making time to support our progress while trusting us to take ownership of our work. It has been rewarding to work with a sponsor that gives our team the autonomy to explore creative solutions while remaining involved throughout the process.”

We extend our sincere thanks to the iFIT team and Sabrina Katz for their partnership and continued investment in developing the next generation of product leaders.

One of the most valuable parts of the Northwestern MPD2 experience is learning directly from leaders who are actively shaping conversations around innovation, leadership, and transformation.�

Last weekend, our MPD2 cohort welcomed Laura Gassner Otting, bestselling author, executive coach, entrepreneur, internationally recognized keynote speaker, and Founder & Chief Catalyzing Officer of Limitless Possibility as a guest speaker in Professor Shelley Paxton’s Global Leadership in a Smart and Connected World course.�

The discussion challenged us to rethink ideas around success, resilience, career growth, and authentic leadership in rapidly changing industries. Laura’s ability to connect personal growth with professional leadership created a conversation that was both deeply reflective and highly practical.�

A huge thank you to Professor Shelley Paxton for bringing this experience to the program and continuing to foster the kind of learning environment that encourages curiosity, courage, and meaningful dialogue.�

Moments like this reflect what makes Northwestern MPD2 special is a community where innovation is not only technical it’s personal, strategic, and human-centered.

Another great weekend of learning in the Northwestern MPD2 program.

Our MPD2 cohort had the opportunity to hear from Matt Yao during Product Management class, at the invitation of Professor Birju Shah.�

Matt shared an honest and insightful look into his career journey from Uber’s APM program to building and leading products across Afterpay, Block, fintech, AI, and startups, and now serving as Head of Product at Roe.

What made the session especially impactful was the transparency of the conversation about growth, uncertainty, experimentation, and building products in rapidly evolving industries.

Beyond product strategy, Matt spoke about:
👉 Finding impact-driven work
👉 Navigating career transitions
👉 Working closely with customers
👉 Building in AI-native environments
👉 The realities of startup ex*****on

Guest lectures like these are among the many reasons the MPD2 experience stands out. Students gain direct access to leaders actively shaping the future of product, technology, and innovation.

Huge thanks to Matt Yao for sharing his experience and to Professor Briju Shah for continuing to bring industry perspectives into the classroom.

Join us at our Visit Day on campus and experience our program firsthand. You’ll have the opportunity to attend a class, meet current students, and connect with faculty. You’re not required to stay the full duration from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; however, we highly recommend being present from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m.

Learn more at our upcoming in-person visit day on Saturday, May 30 at 8:30 a.m. CDT.

Register at bit.ly/4t5TxnL

Santiago Vivas-Gonzalez (mpd² '22) spends his days leading AI/ML strategy at Capital One and his nights developing software to help brave adventurers in their battles against orcs, ogres, and dragons.

A Product Manager’s Quest