Stefan Friend
Senior Product Manager at Mighty Networks- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Noah Wossen
Stefan and I were PMs together at Mighty Networks. From the first day I joined Stefan always offered a helping hand. He showed me the ropes and cared about making sure I was set up for success. As I continued to work with him I saw how he took this approach with everyone around him. Stefan is a team player committed to doing what's right. He has a great product mind and is good at thinking big picture. He is passionate about healthy work culture and empowering those on his team. During our time working together I used some of his team building strategies and experienced the positive impact on my team. I enjoyed working with Stefan because he asked difficult questions and is someone I can learn with. If you want an authentic and committed addition to your team, Stefan is your guy.
Zara Abraham
I had the pleasure of working with Stefan as a Product Designer on his squad and he really cares about product. He's got a knack for understanding customer needs and turning them into clear product needs. He always did his best to keep us on track and understood the market inside out. He always made sure we were always thinking about the user needs. He also fostered a great collaboration within the team, was always open to new ideas and made sure everyone's voice was heard. But what really made working with Stefan great was his attitude. His can-do mindset always kept spirits high even when things got tough. He was passionate about the product and that made for a great working atmosphere. I can't recommend Stefan enough as a Product Manager. He's a strategic thinker and a lot of fun to work with, and I'm sure he'll be an asset to any company looking for a talented product leader.
Lynn Luong
I've worked with Stefan on several projects. I keep coming back because he's one of the few in Charlotte that truly embodies and understands the circularity of a proper startup ecosystem where it includes corporate innovation, investors, and founders. Every single choice he makes, whether it's for his family or the companies he joins, follows a very defined purpose that he has followed for years. This purpose, if you ever get the chance to hear/read it, is impact-driven and generosity-focused. He is deeply thoughtful in his actions and inspires others to do the same from the first time he joins a company. If your company is ready for rapid growth, to be challenged in its strategy + OPs, and is product-centric, hire him. And if you can't? Consult with him.
Noah Wossen
Stefan and I were PMs together at Mighty Networks. From the first day I joined Stefan always offered a helping hand. He showed me the ropes and cared about making sure I was set up for success. As I continued to work with him I saw how he took this approach with everyone around him. Stefan is a team player committed to doing what's right. He has a great product mind and is good at thinking big picture. He is passionate about healthy work culture and empowering those on his team. During our time working together I used some of his team building strategies and experienced the positive impact on my team. I enjoyed working with Stefan because he asked difficult questions and is someone I can learn with. If you want an authentic and committed addition to your team, Stefan is your guy.
Zara Abraham
I had the pleasure of working with Stefan as a Product Designer on his squad and he really cares about product. He's got a knack for understanding customer needs and turning them into clear product needs. He always did his best to keep us on track and understood the market inside out. He always made sure we were always thinking about the user needs. He also fostered a great collaboration within the team, was always open to new ideas and made sure everyone's voice was heard. But what really made working with Stefan great was his attitude. His can-do mindset always kept spirits high even when things got tough. He was passionate about the product and that made for a great working atmosphere. I can't recommend Stefan enough as a Product Manager. He's a strategic thinker and a lot of fun to work with, and I'm sure he'll be an asset to any company looking for a talented product leader.
Lynn Luong
I've worked with Stefan on several projects. I keep coming back because he's one of the few in Charlotte that truly embodies and understands the circularity of a proper startup ecosystem where it includes corporate innovation, investors, and founders. Every single choice he makes, whether it's for his family or the companies he joins, follows a very defined purpose that he has followed for years. This purpose, if you ever get the chance to hear/read it, is impact-driven and generosity-focused. He is deeply thoughtful in his actions and inspires others to do the same from the first time he joins a company. If your company is ready for rapid growth, to be challenged in its strategy + OPs, and is product-centric, hire him. And if you can't? Consult with him.
Noah Wossen
Stefan and I were PMs together at Mighty Networks. From the first day I joined Stefan always offered a helping hand. He showed me the ropes and cared about making sure I was set up for success. As I continued to work with him I saw how he took this approach with everyone around him. Stefan is a team player committed to doing what's right. He has a great product mind and is good at thinking big picture. He is passionate about healthy work culture and empowering those on his team. During our time working together I used some of his team building strategies and experienced the positive impact on my team. I enjoyed working with Stefan because he asked difficult questions and is someone I can learn with. If you want an authentic and committed addition to your team, Stefan is your guy.
Zara Abraham
I had the pleasure of working with Stefan as a Product Designer on his squad and he really cares about product. He's got a knack for understanding customer needs and turning them into clear product needs. He always did his best to keep us on track and understood the market inside out. He always made sure we were always thinking about the user needs. He also fostered a great collaboration within the team, was always open to new ideas and made sure everyone's voice was heard. But what really made working with Stefan great was his attitude. His can-do mindset always kept spirits high even when things got tough. He was passionate about the product and that made for a great working atmosphere. I can't recommend Stefan enough as a Product Manager. He's a strategic thinker and a lot of fun to work with, and I'm sure he'll be an asset to any company looking for a talented product leader.
Lynn Luong
I've worked with Stefan on several projects. I keep coming back because he's one of the few in Charlotte that truly embodies and understands the circularity of a proper startup ecosystem where it includes corporate innovation, investors, and founders. Every single choice he makes, whether it's for his family or the companies he joins, follows a very defined purpose that he has followed for years. This purpose, if you ever get the chance to hear/read it, is impact-driven and generosity-focused. He is deeply thoughtful in his actions and inspires others to do the same from the first time he joins a company. If your company is ready for rapid growth, to be challenged in its strategy + OPs, and is product-centric, hire him. And if you can't? Consult with him.
Noah Wossen
Stefan and I were PMs together at Mighty Networks. From the first day I joined Stefan always offered a helping hand. He showed me the ropes and cared about making sure I was set up for success. As I continued to work with him I saw how he took this approach with everyone around him. Stefan is a team player committed to doing what's right. He has a great product mind and is good at thinking big picture. He is passionate about healthy work culture and empowering those on his team. During our time working together I used some of his team building strategies and experienced the positive impact on my team. I enjoyed working with Stefan because he asked difficult questions and is someone I can learn with. If you want an authentic and committed addition to your team, Stefan is your guy.
Zara Abraham
I had the pleasure of working with Stefan as a Product Designer on his squad and he really cares about product. He's got a knack for understanding customer needs and turning them into clear product needs. He always did his best to keep us on track and understood the market inside out. He always made sure we were always thinking about the user needs. He also fostered a great collaboration within the team, was always open to new ideas and made sure everyone's voice was heard. But what really made working with Stefan great was his attitude. His can-do mindset always kept spirits high even when things got tough. He was passionate about the product and that made for a great working atmosphere. I can't recommend Stefan enough as a Product Manager. He's a strategic thinker and a lot of fun to work with, and I'm sure he'll be an asset to any company looking for a talented product leader.
Lynn Luong
I've worked with Stefan on several projects. I keep coming back because he's one of the few in Charlotte that truly embodies and understands the circularity of a proper startup ecosystem where it includes corporate innovation, investors, and founders. Every single choice he makes, whether it's for his family or the companies he joins, follows a very defined purpose that he has followed for years. This purpose, if you ever get the chance to hear/read it, is impact-driven and generosity-focused. He is deeply thoughtful in his actions and inspires others to do the same from the first time he joins a company. If your company is ready for rapid growth, to be challenged in its strategy + OPs, and is product-centric, hire him. And if you can't? Consult with him.
Experience
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Mighty Networks
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United States
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Technology, Information and Internet
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1 - 100 Employee
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Senior Product Manager
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Aug 2021 - Jan 2023
Helping Mighty Networks Hosts to build businesses powered by community. I lead the Money & Members squad - a cross-functional group of 20 awesome humans making sure everything related to payments and membership is simple and fun to use. Helping Mighty Networks Hosts to build businesses powered by community. I lead the Money & Members squad - a cross-functional group of 20 awesome humans making sure everything related to payments and membership is simple and fun to use.
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Unrivaled Enterprises
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United States
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Technology, Information and Internet
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Business Analyst
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Aug 2017 - Aug 2021
- Primary driving force behind a 5% increase in gross margins through automation of manual processes, saving time and money while decreasing errors. - Analyzed development processes to reduce product delivery timelines and increase revenue through customer feedback initiatives. - Primary driving force behind a 5% increase in gross margins through automation of manual processes, saving time and money while decreasing errors. - Analyzed development processes to reduce product delivery timelines and increase revenue through customer feedback initiatives.
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Faastrak
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United States
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Financial Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Chief Product Officer
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Oct 2018 - Dec 2020
- Designed and led complete product, UX, and strategic re-design of the software to streamline the product while modernizing the technological infrastructure. As a result, both new vendor acquisition and revenue growth increased by 80%, and our velocity of releasing features tripled. - Recognized for implementation of technology development strategies to reduce product time to market and increase visibility into workflow and customer feedback, driving full lifecycle customer engagement and… Show more - Designed and led complete product, UX, and strategic re-design of the software to streamline the product while modernizing the technological infrastructure. As a result, both new vendor acquisition and revenue growth increased by 80%, and our velocity of releasing features tripled. - Recognized for implementation of technology development strategies to reduce product time to market and increase visibility into workflow and customer feedback, driving full lifecycle customer engagement and platform utilization. - Created and managed the client lifecycle process (starting from the initial sale through all phases of implementation) resulting in a 33% increase in customer adoption. - Implemented and managed a strategic messenger initiative to drive automated customer triage support and release product feature announcements and walkthroughs which resulted in an overall increase to customer engagement of 28% and a reduction in credit application processing time by 41%. Show less - Designed and led complete product, UX, and strategic re-design of the software to streamline the product while modernizing the technological infrastructure. As a result, both new vendor acquisition and revenue growth increased by 80%, and our velocity of releasing features tripled. - Recognized for implementation of technology development strategies to reduce product time to market and increase visibility into workflow and customer feedback, driving full lifecycle customer engagement and… Show more - Designed and led complete product, UX, and strategic re-design of the software to streamline the product while modernizing the technological infrastructure. As a result, both new vendor acquisition and revenue growth increased by 80%, and our velocity of releasing features tripled. - Recognized for implementation of technology development strategies to reduce product time to market and increase visibility into workflow and customer feedback, driving full lifecycle customer engagement and platform utilization. - Created and managed the client lifecycle process (starting from the initial sale through all phases of implementation) resulting in a 33% increase in customer adoption. - Implemented and managed a strategic messenger initiative to drive automated customer triage support and release product feature announcements and walkthroughs which resulted in an overall increase to customer engagement of 28% and a reduction in credit application processing time by 41%. Show less
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FaaSfunds
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United States
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Financial Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Cofounder
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Jun 2019 - Jun 2020
- Extensive customer discovery process to determine the product market fit for a new multi-faceted commercial credit application process - Generated more than $15,000 in revenue in first month after launching the new product - Extensive customer discovery process to determine the product market fit for a new multi-faceted commercial credit application process - Generated more than $15,000 in revenue in first month after launching the new product
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Planeteer Investing
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United States
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IT Services and IT Consulting
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Founder
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Aug 2017 - Apr 2019
- Built clickable prototype of first-of-its-kind ESG focused robo-advisor fintech platform. - Conducted more than 500 market-research interviews to determine product market fit and interest level of an impact investing mobile app. - Built clickable prototype of first-of-its-kind ESG focused robo-advisor fintech platform. - Conducted more than 500 market-research interviews to determine product market fit and interest level of an impact investing mobile app.
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Sherlok Inc
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United States
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Software Development
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Head of Product
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Jan 2018 - Jan 2019
- Grew revenue from zero to more than $12K MRR in the first six months of beta product launch. - Reduced product development feedback time by 53% improving time to market and driving sales efficiency. - Negotiated and secured equitable contracts with a major supplier that tapped a wider, national market base and provided stronger sales incentives to customers. - Reduced customer churn rate from 11% to 8% through proactive customer engagement initiatives and creation of internal… Show more - Grew revenue from zero to more than $12K MRR in the first six months of beta product launch. - Reduced product development feedback time by 53% improving time to market and driving sales efficiency. - Negotiated and secured equitable contracts with a major supplier that tapped a wider, national market base and provided stronger sales incentives to customers. - Reduced customer churn rate from 11% to 8% through proactive customer engagement initiatives and creation of internal customer lifecycle process maps. - Implemented new policies/processes to strengthen and streamlined operations to ensure business and technology alignment, driving efficiency and increasing productivity throughout the company. Show less - Grew revenue from zero to more than $12K MRR in the first six months of beta product launch. - Reduced product development feedback time by 53% improving time to market and driving sales efficiency. - Negotiated and secured equitable contracts with a major supplier that tapped a wider, national market base and provided stronger sales incentives to customers. - Reduced customer churn rate from 11% to 8% through proactive customer engagement initiatives and creation of internal… Show more - Grew revenue from zero to more than $12K MRR in the first six months of beta product launch. - Reduced product development feedback time by 53% improving time to market and driving sales efficiency. - Negotiated and secured equitable contracts with a major supplier that tapped a wider, national market base and provided stronger sales incentives to customers. - Reduced customer churn rate from 11% to 8% through proactive customer engagement initiatives and creation of internal customer lifecycle process maps. - Implemented new policies/processes to strengthen and streamlined operations to ensure business and technology alignment, driving efficiency and increasing productivity throughout the company. Show less
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Integra Staffing
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United States
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Human Resources Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Director Of Operations
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Apr 2016 - Aug 2017
- Increased sales revenue 22% YOY by elevating business processes and improving candidate quality and pay rate negotiation strategies to fuel internal efficiency and productivity. - Grew marketing engagement 271% through SEO optimization, social media growth hacking, and a complete overhaul of the website and other brand collateral to create alignment and drive growth - Responsible for leading and executing an ATS platform transition, a new website rebuild, and doubling the size of the… Show more - Increased sales revenue 22% YOY by elevating business processes and improving candidate quality and pay rate negotiation strategies to fuel internal efficiency and productivity. - Grew marketing engagement 271% through SEO optimization, social media growth hacking, and a complete overhaul of the website and other brand collateral to create alignment and drive growth - Responsible for leading and executing an ATS platform transition, a new website rebuild, and doubling the size of the recruiting team. Show less - Increased sales revenue 22% YOY by elevating business processes and improving candidate quality and pay rate negotiation strategies to fuel internal efficiency and productivity. - Grew marketing engagement 271% through SEO optimization, social media growth hacking, and a complete overhaul of the website and other brand collateral to create alignment and drive growth - Responsible for leading and executing an ATS platform transition, a new website rebuild, and doubling the size of the… Show more - Increased sales revenue 22% YOY by elevating business processes and improving candidate quality and pay rate negotiation strategies to fuel internal efficiency and productivity. - Grew marketing engagement 271% through SEO optimization, social media growth hacking, and a complete overhaul of the website and other brand collateral to create alignment and drive growth - Responsible for leading and executing an ATS platform transition, a new website rebuild, and doubling the size of the recruiting team. Show less
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Socialtopias
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United States
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Technology, Information and Internet
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1 - 100 Employee
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Product Manager
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Aug 2013 - Nov 2016
- Worked with the Founder to secure the largest angel round technology investment to that date in Charlotte NC - 4MM. - Created conceptual designs and wireframes of website and Android/Apple iOS platforms and developed UX points of view for improved functionality and navigation. - Worked with the Founder to secure the largest angel round technology investment to that date in Charlotte NC - 4MM. - Created conceptual designs and wireframes of website and Android/Apple iOS platforms and developed UX points of view for improved functionality and navigation.
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Biotech Partners
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United States
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Staffing and Recruiting
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1 - 100 Employee
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Pharma Recruiting Manager
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Jul 2015 - Apr 2016
- Lead the Clinical Operations team with a niche focus in helping career professionals working within big pharma, small biotech, CROs and every emerging market in between. - Reduced the average time to filling opening for the clinical operations vertical from 37 days to 26 days. - Lead the Clinical Operations team with a niche focus in helping career professionals working within big pharma, small biotech, CROs and every emerging market in between. - Reduced the average time to filling opening for the clinical operations vertical from 37 days to 26 days.
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Total Quality Logistics
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United States
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Truck Transportation
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700 & Above Employee
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Logistics Account Executive
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Mar 2015 - Aug 2015
At TQL, I provided a premium logistics service to manufacturers, growers, and distributors; taking out the time and stress of covering loads, tracking freight, and dealing with the multitude of issues that may arise during transit. My goal in doing so was to free up my customer's time to focus on more pressing issues within their company. I specialized in time sensitive full truckloads ranging from produce to oversize machinery, and Hazardous Materials. And, to help keep costs affordable for my… Show more At TQL, I provided a premium logistics service to manufacturers, growers, and distributors; taking out the time and stress of covering loads, tracking freight, and dealing with the multitude of issues that may arise during transit. My goal in doing so was to free up my customer's time to focus on more pressing issues within their company. I specialized in time sensitive full truckloads ranging from produce to oversize machinery, and Hazardous Materials. And, to help keep costs affordable for my customer, and rates fair to drivers, I used my knowledge of the market as leverage to negotiate rates. Within TQL, I was responsible for building my own book of business, from start to finish. The most important aspect of that for my customer was that I was able to provide them a single point of contact for all steps of doing business, from tracking shipments to accounting and paperwork. All the resources of a billion dollar company with the attention to detail and personal service you'd expect from a boutique-style company. Show less At TQL, I provided a premium logistics service to manufacturers, growers, and distributors; taking out the time and stress of covering loads, tracking freight, and dealing with the multitude of issues that may arise during transit. My goal in doing so was to free up my customer's time to focus on more pressing issues within their company. I specialized in time sensitive full truckloads ranging from produce to oversize machinery, and Hazardous Materials. And, to help keep costs affordable for my… Show more At TQL, I provided a premium logistics service to manufacturers, growers, and distributors; taking out the time and stress of covering loads, tracking freight, and dealing with the multitude of issues that may arise during transit. My goal in doing so was to free up my customer's time to focus on more pressing issues within their company. I specialized in time sensitive full truckloads ranging from produce to oversize machinery, and Hazardous Materials. And, to help keep costs affordable for my customer, and rates fair to drivers, I used my knowledge of the market as leverage to negotiate rates. Within TQL, I was responsible for building my own book of business, from start to finish. The most important aspect of that for my customer was that I was able to provide them a single point of contact for all steps of doing business, from tracking shipments to accounting and paperwork. All the resources of a billion dollar company with the attention to detail and personal service you'd expect from a boutique-style company. Show less
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Education
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2016 - 2017
Wake Forest University School of Business
Master of Business Administration (MBA) -
2020 - 2021
Tech Elevator
Full Stack Java Development Bootcamp, Java Web Application Development Bootcamp -
2018 - 2018
Y Combinator
Startup School -
2017 - 2017
Wake Forest University
Certificate in Design Thinking for Innovative Problem Solving -
2007 - 2013
Clemson University
Microbiology B.S., Biomedicine Concentration
