How can product managers make a real difference? In this podcast hosted by Nacho Andrade, Reddit Product Lead Rachel Miller speaks on leveraging tech skills for social good. She shares insights on using product management expertise to drive meaningful change, from improving search experiences at Reddit to volunteering with malnutrition treatment initiatives in Nigeria. Discover how your professional skills can create impact far beyond the corporate world.
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Show Notes
- Search is a complex problem requiring nuanced understanding of user intent and content diversity
- Product managers can drive meaningful change by applying their skills to social causes
- Staying with one company long-term allows deep expertise and witnessing organizational evolution
- AI integration in search must preserve human authenticity and perspective
- Skill-based volunteering offers opportunities to apply professional skills to global challenges
- Data-driven decision making goes beyond numbers – includes user research and experimental insights
- Product managers should not fear speaking up when they have evidence-based recommendations
- Reddit’s search experience focuses on helping users find exactly what they’re looking for
- Maintaining user trust requires balancing innovation with existing user expectations
- Technical skills can be leveraged to solve complex social problems like malnutrition treatment
- Continuous learning and openness to new perspectives is crucial in product management
- Measuring search success involves understanding user engagement beyond simple click-through rates
- Product managers are uniquely positioned to initiate cross-functional projects and drive change
- Volunteering should be intentional, focusing on measurable impact rather than just good intentions
- Tech professionals can contribute to global challenges through targeted, skill-specific interventions
- Passion and purpose are key to preventing burnout in product management
- Understanding diverse user bases requires comprehensive research and empathy
- Product development should prioritize solving user problems over implementing executive preferences
- Maintaining authenticity in AI-driven experiences is critical for user trust
- Product managers can create meaningful impact by connecting professional skills with social causes
About the speaker
Rachel Miller is the Product Manager for Search Experiences at Reddit, where she has led the global transformation of Reddit’s search platform—launching AI-driven features, delivering end-to-end redesigns, and scaling solutions used by millions. Her work has been featured in major outlets including TechCrunch and The Verge, and she has spoken at a range of events from hackathons to industry panels. Outside her core role, Rachel has championed initiatives in responsible AI, digital mental health, and diversity in tech. She also volunteers as a product manager at Taimaka, helping develop digital tools to scale treatment for malnutrition in over 7,000 children in Nigeria. Based in London, Rachel is passionate about using technology to drive innovation and social impact.
About the host
Nacho is an Evangelist for all things product, advocating for innovation, diversity, and building amazing products. Nacho has spent over 10 years in product roles ranging from startups to enterprise in industries like education, healthcare, finance and gaming.