Nickey Skarstad

Nickey Skarstad, Director of Product Management at Duolingo, has a wealth of experience from Airbnb, Etsy, and Shopify. In this conversation, she shares insights on translating vision into actionable goals and operationalizing product quality. Skarstad discusses the importance of metrics for maintaining standards and how to structure product organizations effectively. She also explores decision-making dynamics, emphasizing second-order thinking, and offers practical brainstorming techniques to enhance collaboration. Plus, tips for thriving in remote work as a PM!

Join industry veterans Chantal Cox, Stephanie J. Neill, and Nickey Skarstad as they dissect the evolving landscape of product management hiring. Chantal, Head of Product at LTK, emphasizes the importance of creator growth strategies. Stephanie, from Stripe, shares insights on addressing user pain points. Nickey, leading Duolingo Math, reveals how AI prototypes have become essential in the evaluation process. They discuss resume scanning tactics, red flags in candidate responses, and the significance of cultural fit and domain expertise to land that coveted PM role.

Nickey Skarstad, Director of Product at Duolingo with experience at Airbnb and Etsy, dives into the fascinating world of product rituals and AI. She reveals how Duolingo maintains high-quality standards while shipping quickly, showcasing unique practices like 'hot trash' Fridays for low-risk experimentation. Nickey discusses the significance of dogfooding AI products and how structured product reviews elevate team standards. With insights on balancing speed and quality, she empowers product builders to refine their craft and build user-trusted experiences.