Leslie Yake

About Leslie Yake

I\'m an even-keeled, reliable, and thoughtful leader who holds a career triple major in software product management, efficient operational execution, and creating organizational harmony. I thrive on transforming chaos into clarity, turning endless contemplation into action, bridging silos, and unlocking hidden value and opportunities. I also hold personal minors in dry humor; enthusiasm for wine, the wine business, and wine-focused travel; and solving complex jigsaw puzzles.Areas of Expertise:I exceed at diagnosing and resolving operational and process inefficiencies within software companies and organizations. I play a key role in improving product development processes, fostering better communication, raising accountability, and addressing skill gaps. I can quickly identify and prioritize challenges, which makes me a valuable problem solver within any organization.• Product Development: Optimizing and evolving product development processes and tooling• Problem Solving: Identifying and solving challenges within teams and across organizations• Process Improvement: Reducing friction and enhancing efficiency in processes• Goal Setting: Creating and implementing company and departmental goals• Business Metrics and Management: Defining and measuring business and team performance• Accountability: Fostering accountability within an organization• Communication Enhancement: Identifying and addressing communication issues• Team Meetings: Leading effective executive leadership team meetings• Team Structuring: Designing team structures that align with organizational needs• Stakeholder Trust: Building trust among internal and external stakeholders• Education and Coaching: Educating and coaching team members• Collaboration: Working effectively with cross-functional teams• Adaptability: Stepping in, filling gaps, helping teams and orgs adapting to changing needs• Client-Centric: Meeting clients where they\'re at and helping them get where they want to go

Experience

1. Principal Product Manager

   Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits

   Mar 2024 — Present · Denver, CO, US

Education

• Sonoma State University

  Wine Business Management Certificate

  2014 — 2014

• Indiana University Bloomington

  BS Business, Operations Management and Computer Information Systems

• University of Colorado Denver

  MBA

Skills

• Product Management
• Product Development
• Strategy
• Agile Methodologies
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Start-Ups
• Operations Management
• Product Lifecycle Management
• Cloud Computing
• Telecommunications
• Scrum
• Mobile Applications
• Saas
• E-Commerce
• Wineries
• Strategic Partnerships
• Process Improvement
• Leadership
• Business Development
• Entrepreneurship
• Enterprise Software
• Wine
• Wine Cellars
• Wine Tasting
• Red Wine
• Wine & Spirits Industry
• Program Management
• Wine Labels
• Wine Lists