The Future of Building Products: Where Do We Go From Here?
This panel brings together experienced voices from across the product ecosystem to explore how building products is evolving in today’s rapidly shifting tech and business landscape. From product managers and engineers to designers, data professionals, and entrepreneurs, the conversation will dive into the realities of building in an era defined by AI and emerging technologies.
Designed for product builders at every stage, whether you’re leading teams, coding prototypes, building data pipelines, designing user experiences, or launching startups, this event will offer insights into how product building is changing in the age of AI and beyond, and strategies for adapting skills to thrive in the next wave of product leadership and development.
Panelists:
Anir Dutta is an accomplished executive with more than twenty years of experience in driving business transformations, incubating technology-based startups, and fashioning business turnarounds, driving significant organic revenue and earnings growth.
Erika Motley is a Director of Product at Medable, bringing AI into clinical research safely. She led the delivery of Medable for Sites and now co-leads the Clinical Research Associate (CRA) Agent, advancing responsible, human-in-the-loop adoption in regulated settings. Her focus is reducing burden for sites and sponsors and improving data quality with transparent, auditable AI. Previously at Eli Lilly within Information and Digital Solutions, Erika led the Career Planning Conference (CPC) for three of her five years, expanding the pipeline of early Black career professionals. Her passion is where healthecare meets tech.
Shilpa Mohanty is a product leader who loves building at the intersection of payments, consumer products, technology, and customer experience. At Toast, she leads the Payments Processing team, helping restaurants move money faster and smarter while scaling a platform trusted by thousands of businesses. Before Toast, she drove consumer product innovation at PayPal, Mozilla, Highnote, and Groupon—launching everything from fintech products to marketplaces to cutting-edge developer platforms. Shilpa is passionate about taking the complexity out of financial systems and turning it into simple, empowering products that people actually love to use.
Run of Show
5:30pm-6:00pm - Networking
6:00pm-6:15pm - Intro from Black Product Managers and TechNexus Director
6:15pm-7:00pm - Questions for panelists and 10 minutes for audience Q&A
7:00pm - 7:30pm - Post-Panel Networking
Hosted By
BPM Product Community
BPM is building a world-class network of product managers who are setting new standards for innovation, leadership, and impact
https://www.blackproductmanagers.com/
TeamWorking by TechNexus
Nestled in the heart of Chicago’s tech ecosystem, TeamWorking by TechNexus offers more than just desks — it’s a hub for connection, creativity, and impactful gatherings. With 60,000+ sq ft of suites, offices, and shared workspaces and meeting rooms accommodating up to 175 people, our space is built to host events that inspire.
Community Partners
Chicago Product Alliance
Our mission is to elevate the general practice of product in Chicago to maximize the impact of those in product roles, accelerate our members' careers and become a tier 1 tech employment market. We organize keynote speakers, panels, workshops and meetups to augment and amplify work from other aligned Chicago groups.
http://chicagoproductalliance.com/
ProductTank Chicago
ProductTank provides an opportunity for Product Managers in Chicago to exchange ideas and experiences about Product Design, Development and Management, Business Modelling, Metrics, User Experience and all the other things that get us excited. Events include talks from guest speakers on topics around product management, networking opportunities, and a good old-fashioned chin-wag over a beer or two. We're open to companies big and small. We also welcome early-stage technology businesses looking to learn how to get their ideas off the ground. We also have a blog and encourage the community to get engaged by commenting on or writing new posts for http://www.mindtheproduct.com
Women in Product Chicago
Our mission is to equip women and non-binary folks to thrive in product management careers at all levels. We want all people to have equitable opportunities to build rewarding careers and shape the products of the future. https://womenpm.org/join-our-community/chicago/
Chicago Tech Collaborative
The Chicago Tech Collaborative (CTC) was founded to bridge gaps across the city’s tech ecosystem through volunteer-led programs, innovation, and meaningful connections. Our mission is to unite and empower Chicago’s tech community by creating an inclusive space to connect, learn, and solve citywide challenges together. We envision a sustainable, impact-driven community where founders, investors, and professionals collaborate on projects that make life in Chicago better for everyone.