Product All-Star: 5 questions with Donna Cordes
Building products is an adventure. That is what makes it the best job in the world. But this role is not for everyone — true product success requires decisive action, continuous effort, and the relentless pursuit of value.
We have the honor of being connected to companies and product experts who go boldly and bravely. And we are asking folks to share their knowledge with you in the hopes it will inspire you in your own product career.
Donna Cordes is a Lead Project Manager at Cat Digital and product owner of their Aha! software account. Based in Illinois, she has built her career on improving processes and helping teams adopt new ways of working. Most recently, she launched an adoption program to help colleagues get the most out of their product management tools, including Aha! Roadmaps — starting with a maturity assessment, then organizing deep dives to build knowledge and confidence. She also set up an internal support system, complete with learning resources and product champions, to keep momentum going.
Outside of work, Donna enjoys spending time with her family. She especially loves vacations by the ocean — swimming, relaxing, and exploring the Caribbean coast.
Keep reading for Donna’s reflections on product work and what keeps her motivated:
What was your first product role?
I began my career at Caterpillar in 1996 as a legal assistant. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I was given the opportunity to attend Caterpillar’s coding bootcamp. This training led to my first product role as an IT Analyst III and Certified Six Sigma Green Belt. I was responsible for mainframe development and support for shop floor applications.
That work involved analyzing longstanding processes and tools, listening to users, and identifying their challenges. I would then delve into the code to solve issues at the root. This combination of empathy and analysis shapes the way I approach every role that has followed.
Over time, I advanced into more senior positions, earned my Six Sigma Black Belt certification, and eventually moved into product leadership. Today, I focus on helping teams onboard effectively to both the tools and the processes that support them.
Related: How do product managers work with other teams?
What are the most important traits for a product builder?
Innovation, critical thinking, clear communication, translating technical requirements into business language, and a solid understanding of the product development lifecycle. You also need technical aptitude and a problem-solving mindset.
Everyone has a job to do — it is important to be empathetic and help customers resolve issues in an organized and supportive way.
Translating technical information into business terms can be especially challenging. It requires balance — being clear enough to be understood, but not oversimplifying to the point of being misleading. To me, understanding the underlying technology is the foundation for all of these skills.We
What would you recommend not doing when starting out in a product career?
Avoid trying to solve problems on your own or relying on assumptions. Listen to your team — architects, developers, business analysts — as well as your customers. Involve them early and often.
This focus on collaboration has carried through my career. For example, when onboarding new teams, I make sure every workspace has a designated champion who can attend champion meetings and share knowledge back with their team. It is a “train the trainer” model that encourages collaboration and keeps learning continuous.
Related: How product managers should collaborate with business stakeholders
How do you stay motivated when complex challenges arise?
Complex challenges actually motivate me. It is gratifying to face an issue and see it through to resolution.
Finding that resolution sometimes requires trade-offs. It may mean adjusting service levels, reallocating resources, or changing processes entirely.
But every problem is solvable if you stay open to innovative solutions and different ways of thinking.
What is the most exciting aspect of your current role?
In my current role as a digital product owner and team lead, I focus on exploring new tool capabilities, refining governance processes, and supporting teams with training and education. Onboarding new teams is one of the most rewarding parts of the job — I get to learn about different organizational processes and suggest ways to improve them.
It's immensely satisfying to help teams streamline their workflows and resolve issues by giving them the right structures and support.
We also hold quarterly champion meetings, where representatives share how they are using tools to enhance their work. These sessions not only showcase new possibilities, but also foster a culture of continuous improvement and shared learning across the organization.
Read more of the Product All-Star series.
Know an inspiring product builder? Nominate them to be featured in an upcoming post. They simply need to be doing quality work and using Aha! software.
