Cindy is the Director of Product Management at VivoAquatics and is currently working on developing and launching new products and services for the company's SaaS web app, VivoPoint. Since joining the organization, she's led the movement towards becoming a Product-Led culture. They’ve implemented best practices in Product Marketing, Product Operation, and Agile software development.
Cindy has worked in various industries: Healthcare, HR, Education, Environmental Health & Safety, IoT, and Aquatics. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Technical Management and two Master’s degrees in Business Administration and Public Administration.
Her career passion is Product Management and Product Marketing. Cindy holds various certifications in Product Management, Product Marketing, and Scrum.
Cindy is a native Floridian and lives in Orlando with her family and pets. Her personal passions include diversity & inclusion, animal rights, and environmental conservation. She loves education and teaching and aspires to someday write a book.
Which certifications did you choose and why?
I've completed the following certifications:
- Analyst Relations
- Building PMM Teams
- Competitive Intelligence
- Consumer Psychology
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Customer Advisory Boards
- Customer Research
- Go-to-Market
- Market Research
- Marketing Messaging
- Metrics
- Narrative Design
- Personas
- Positioning
- Pricing
- Sales Enablement
- Segmentation
- Storytelling
In addition to PMA’s Core certification and PLA’s Product Management, Product Operations, and Product-Market Fit certifications.
I chose these certifications to become an expert in Product Management, Product Marketing, and Product Operations, with the ultimate goal of becoming a Chief Product Officer.
I feel learning and gaining new skills is the key to achieving career success, especially in Product Management and Product Marketing, where these roles can oftentimes be undefined and misunderstood.
Why did these certifications stand out above market alternatives?
PMA isn't just a learning platform; it's my one-stop shop for everything SaaS-related. It's like having an expert mentor guiding you through the complexities of the industry.
Which aspects of the certifications did you find the most valuable?
The real game-changer for me was the ready-to-use templates: There’s no need to recreate the wheel and the templates provided are formatted and ready to use – a time-saving blessing.
The experienced SMEs didn’t just teach theory; they shared battle-tested lessons and offered advice beyond the course. They’ve literally done the work, learned hard yet very valuable lessons, and are willing to offer advice outside of the course.
I love the flexibility to complete the course at your own pace and the ability to rewatch the videos when needed. It means you can focus on actionable best practices, making the learning journey both effective and enjoyable.
Have you transferred the insights and knowledge gained into your day-to-day practice?
Absolutely! They've armed me with the confidence and knowledge to be a Product Management and Product Marketing subject matter expert.
I’ve implemented Product-Led initiatives from start to finish, as well as launches, messaging frameworks, segmentation, product operations best practices, and go-to-market and pricing strategies.
You name it, I've implemented it.
How have the certifications enhanced your product marketing credentials?
These certifications have not only supplied me with processes that improved cross-functional alignment and market research, but they’ve also given me credibility which aided in earning the trust of stakeholders, leadership, and customers alike.
Has this experience helped you to network?
Yes! I recently attended the PLA Summit in San Francisco where I met other Product leaders.
I’m also an ambassador, mentor, and mentee – I've connected with incredible professionals, sharing stories and experiences that transcend the usual networking.
How has this experience impacted your professional growth?
Although my title is Director of Product Management, I'm responsible for Product Marketing. I've educated and empowered not only myself but also my organization – sales, marketing, operations, and customer support teams.
They now have a clear understanding of the product marketing manager’s role, value, and responsibilities.
If you hadn’t signed up for the certifications, what impact do you think this would’ve had on your career?
If I hadn’t completed these certifications, I’d have spent so much time researching and creating templates and perhaps would’ve missed out on being seen as the expert I am today.
What would you say to fellow PMMs considering signing up for a certification?
DO IT!
In today’s cutthroat landscape, PMA certifications are a necessity. They don’t just equip you with knowledge; they arm you with confidence, tools, and a community of like-minded professionals.
Any final thoughts?
I’m thrilled with the investment I made. The ROI is evident, and the impact on my career? Priceless.
Are you ready to join Cindy and become Product Marketing Certified?
Why not start with Product Marketing Certified: Core.
Trusted by the world’s biggest brands, Product Marketing Certified: Core's the industry standard, the catalyst to your success, the only companion you need for personal and professional growth.
From research to optimization, Product Marketing Core explores (cliche alert!) the A to Z of product marketing, and with PMMC in your pocket, you’ll have a richer understanding of the what, why, and how of every product marketing principle. And that’s a promise.
Completing this course will help you...
🙌 Grasp every element of the cross-functional and rapidly evolving discipline that is product marketing.
🛠 Market your product through its entire lifecycle and successfully meet your product marketing key performance indicators.
👩🏽💼 Stand out in the job market - more and more employers request PMMC certification as a prerequisite for job seekers.
🧗🏼♂️ Advance up the career ladder with your newfound knowledge, skills, and product marketing network.
📦 Become the total package. Product marketing is an incredibly varied role. Our curriculum covers all the nooks and crannies.
🔖 Show off to your peers with a shiny new certificate #braggingrights.