Michael Yaksich
Co-Founder at Aura Beauty- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Breyda Ortega
I reported to Michael while he led the Customer Strategy team at Cruise and learned a lot from him. As our team lead, Michael elevated the research function throughout the company and many stakeholders came to rely on our insights to make business decisions. Additionally, Michael is a supportive manager who is deeply invested in the success of his team members. He took the time to learn about my career goals and kept them in mind when assigning new projects and identifying development opportunities. When providing feedback, Michael is kind and direct; and his guidance has helped me become a more strategic thinker. I recommend Michael to any company looking to establish a more research-driven practice to grow their business.
Neal Uppal
Michael was a strong collaborative partner to my business operations team and the Product team at Cruise. We worked together on multiple projects that significantly impacted our business and product roadmap. Through each project, Michael and his team demonstrated strong quantitative skills. Unlike other research teams I've worked with, he didn't stop at just identifying insights. He pushed his entire team to identify the
Breyda Ortega
I reported to Michael while he led the Customer Strategy team at Cruise and learned a lot from him. As our team lead, Michael elevated the research function throughout the company and many stakeholders came to rely on our insights to make business decisions. Additionally, Michael is a supportive manager who is deeply invested in the success of his team members. He took the time to learn about my career goals and kept them in mind when assigning new projects and identifying development opportunities. When providing feedback, Michael is kind and direct; and his guidance has helped me become a more strategic thinker. I recommend Michael to any company looking to establish a more research-driven practice to grow their business.
Neal Uppal
Michael was a strong collaborative partner to my business operations team and the Product team at Cruise. We worked together on multiple projects that significantly impacted our business and product roadmap. Through each project, Michael and his team demonstrated strong quantitative skills. Unlike other research teams I've worked with, he didn't stop at just identifying insights. He pushed his entire team to identify the
Breyda Ortega
I reported to Michael while he led the Customer Strategy team at Cruise and learned a lot from him. As our team lead, Michael elevated the research function throughout the company and many stakeholders came to rely on our insights to make business decisions. Additionally, Michael is a supportive manager who is deeply invested in the success of his team members. He took the time to learn about my career goals and kept them in mind when assigning new projects and identifying development opportunities. When providing feedback, Michael is kind and direct; and his guidance has helped me become a more strategic thinker. I recommend Michael to any company looking to establish a more research-driven practice to grow their business.
Neal Uppal
Michael was a strong collaborative partner to my business operations team and the Product team at Cruise. We worked together on multiple projects that significantly impacted our business and product roadmap. Through each project, Michael and his team demonstrated strong quantitative skills. Unlike other research teams I've worked with, he didn't stop at just identifying insights. He pushed his entire team to identify the
Breyda Ortega
I reported to Michael while he led the Customer Strategy team at Cruise and learned a lot from him. As our team lead, Michael elevated the research function throughout the company and many stakeholders came to rely on our insights to make business decisions. Additionally, Michael is a supportive manager who is deeply invested in the success of his team members. He took the time to learn about my career goals and kept them in mind when assigning new projects and identifying development opportunities. When providing feedback, Michael is kind and direct; and his guidance has helped me become a more strategic thinker. I recommend Michael to any company looking to establish a more research-driven practice to grow their business.
Neal Uppal
Michael was a strong collaborative partner to my business operations team and the Product team at Cruise. We worked together on multiple projects that significantly impacted our business and product roadmap. Through each project, Michael and his team demonstrated strong quantitative skills. Unlike other research teams I've worked with, he didn't stop at just identifying insights. He pushed his entire team to identify the
Experience
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Aura Beauty
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United States
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Consumer Goods Rental
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1 - 100 Employee
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Co-Founder
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Mar 2021 - Present
AI-powered, custom-fit manicures for everyone AI-powered, custom-fit manicures for everyone
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SKIM
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United Kingdom
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Food and Beverage Services
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Vice President, Business Consulting
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Apr 2021 - Jan 2023
SKIM is a global insights agency helping companies thrive by understanding decision-making. SKIM is a global insights agency helping companies thrive by understanding decision-making.
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Cruise
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Retail
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1 - 100 Employee
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Director of Customer Strategy
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Jan 2019 - Jul 2020
Cruise is building the world’s most advanced self-driving ridehail service to safely connect people with the places, things, and experiences they care about. As a Head of Research, I built and scaled the customer insights team from zero - hiring and coaching rockstar talent, establishing tools and learning plans, and uncovering category-defining insights that influenced brand development, go-to-market strategy, user experience, and key product development decisions - including the Cruise Origin. Cruise is building the world’s most advanced self-driving ridehail service to safely connect people with the places, things, and experiences they care about. As a Head of Research, I built and scaled the customer insights team from zero - hiring and coaching rockstar talent, establishing tools and learning plans, and uncovering category-defining insights that influenced brand development, go-to-market strategy, user experience, and key product development decisions - including the Cruise Origin.
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Cadillac
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United States
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Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
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300 - 400 Employee
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Senior Manager, Insights & Strategic Initiatives
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Mar 2018 - Dec 2018
Led customer insights for Cadillac globally - designing learning plans, codifying reporting and data standards, building a high-performing team, and identifying insights and opportunities to design, launch, sell (offline and online), and improve current and future vehicles - including the brand's first all-electric SUV, the Lyriq.
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Manager, Global Market Insights
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Nov 2015 - Feb 2018
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Hyundai Capital America
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United States
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Financial Services
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700 & Above Employee
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Manager, Marketing Research & Insights
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Jan 2014 - Oct 2015
Hyundai Capital (HCA) is the trusted captive finance company - supporting growth with integrated financial products and driving loyalty through ease of doing business. During my time at HCA, I led B2C and B2B research and insights in the U.S. - including loyalty analytics, digital and online user experience, product innovation, and marketing strategy. Hyundai Capital (HCA) is the trusted captive finance company - supporting growth with integrated financial products and driving loyalty through ease of doing business. During my time at HCA, I led B2C and B2B research and insights in the U.S. - including loyalty analytics, digital and online user experience, product innovation, and marketing strategy.
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BrandIQ
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United States
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Market Research
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1 - 100 Employee
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Senior Manager of Brand Strategy & Innovation
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Oct 2011 - Jan 2014
BrandIQ is a Los Angeles based brand strategy, innovation, and design firm that has full-service market research capabilities. As a senior consultant, I was responsible for designing and executing generative research, usability studies, segmentations, and positioning activities for a range of clients including Airbnb, Wendy's, Borden Dairy, Panda Express, LYFE Kitchen, Acura, and other financial services and CPG clients. BrandIQ is a Los Angeles based brand strategy, innovation, and design firm that has full-service market research capabilities. As a senior consultant, I was responsible for designing and executing generative research, usability studies, segmentations, and positioning activities for a range of clients including Airbnb, Wendy's, Borden Dairy, Panda Express, LYFE Kitchen, Acura, and other financial services and CPG clients.
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Advanced Product Manager
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Apr 2010 - Oct 2011
As a product manager, I worked closely with designers and engineers to understand customer needs and unlock insights to drive future product strategy. During my time at Honda, I led primary and secondary research, competitive evaluations, post-launch evaluations for the Honda Odyssey, Acura ZDX, & Honda Insight to improve marketability and inform the direction of next-generation concepts. As a product manager, I worked closely with designers and engineers to understand customer needs and unlock insights to drive future product strategy. During my time at Honda, I led primary and secondary research, competitive evaluations, post-launch evaluations for the Honda Odyssey, Acura ZDX, & Honda Insight to improve marketability and inform the direction of next-generation concepts.
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Consumer Research Analyst
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Jan 2009 - Mar 2010
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Education
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2001 - 2005
Boston College
BA, Sociology -
2005 - 2009
University of Maryland College Park
MA, Sociology, Science & Technology Studies
Community
