We are TDA

Leadership Development at PayPal HQ

TDA — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:49:55 +0000

50+ senior Product and Design leaders. One powerful theme: leading through change.

On May 15th, we partnered with PayPal and leadership coach Teresa Brazen to host one of our most impactful events yet: ‘Leadership Development: A Collaborative Approach to Inspiring Leadership and Driving New Technology Adoption.’

Held at PayPal HQ in NYC, we welcomed a powerhouse group of Product, Design, and Engineering leaders to explore what it means to lead with intention in the face of constant change.

What went down:

A hands-on coaching workshop with Teresa Brazen
A live panel featuring PayPal’s Mark Kozlowski, Nick Ward, and Richard Porter, Adobe’s TB Bardlavens and Rania Svoronou from Citi.
Big conversations around cross-functional leadership and tech adoption
Drinks, laughter, and new relationships that we know will last

A massive thank you to Teresa for the powerful facilitation, and to PayPal for being incredible partners and generous hosts.

Shout out to our very own Kim, Andy, and Gary for flying out and representing TDA in the best possible way.

And to all our guests, thank you for your energy, honesty, and wisdom. You turned this event into something truly special!

The Wrap-Up

This day wasn’t about name tags and surface-level chat, they were about creating real connections, sharing real insight, and pushing the boundaries of leadership and innovation together.

Stay tuned, we’ve got more events on the horizon!

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Product & Design Leaders Meet-Up at Sixpoint Brewery

TDA — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:03:28 +0000

Rain-soaked but unstoppable.

May 14th threw some wild weather our way, torrential rain, wild winds, but that didn’t stop 30 brilliant Product and Design leaders from showing up at Sixpoint Brewery in Brookfield Place.

This was a casual meet-up with a powerful impact:

Great people
Real conversations
A space built for connection

Our very own Gary Charles, Director of Product at TDA, helped kick things off and set the tone for the night. From Founders to Heads of Product to Design leads, the vibe was relaxed, authentic, and deeply energising.

Massive thank you to everyone who turned up, umbrellas, soaked shoes and all, for a night of meaningful conversation and community. You’re the real MVPs

The Wrap-Up

This night wasn’t about name tags and surface-level chat, they were about creating real connections, sharing real insight, and pushing the boundaries of leadership and innovation together.

Stay tuned, we’ve got more events on the horizon!

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Chief Innovation Dinner at Manhatta

TDA — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:06:25 +0000

There’s nothing quite like the magic that happens when the right people come together in the right room, and at this unforgettable night in New York City, that’s exactly what we created.

C-Suite conversations 60 floors up this was all about real talk, real connection, and real impact.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what went down at our Chief Innovation Dinner!

15 C-Suite leaders. 60 floors up. One powerful night.

What happens when you bring CTOs, CEOs, Founders, and Chief Innovation Officers together over dinner in the sky? You get an evening of bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and serious connection.

Hosted at the stunning Manhatta, our Chief Innovation Dinner welcomed leaders from some of the most forward-thinking companies out there, including Bark, US Chamber of Commerce, Victoria Beckham Beauty, Enfusion, Oliver Wyman, Bloomberg, Huge, and more.

This wasn’t your average networking event…

With expert facilitation from the brilliant Teresa Brazen, we created space for high-level, honest conversations about the challenges and opportunities innovation leaders are facing right now. From leadership coaching over starters to a curated seat shuffle mid-course (yes, we really did that), every detail was designed to build real, human connection.

A huge thank you to Teresa for guiding the room with such intention, and to all our guests for bringing the energy, openness, and vulnerability. You made the night unforgettable.

The Wrap-Up

This night wasn’t about name tags and surface-level chat, they were about creating real connections, sharing real insight, and pushing the boundaries of leadership and innovation together.

Stay tuned, we’ve got more events on the horizon!

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Cross-Functional Synergy: A Prelude to Optimizing Team Outcomes

TDA — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:08:52 +0000

We had an incredible time at our recent in-person workshop, hosted by Teresa Brazen, Leadership & Executive Coach and founder of Brazen Coaching & Consulting.

The session introduced us to the powerful principles behind the Optimize Cross-Functional Outcomes program, which focuses on building stronger collaboration across product, design, and engineering teams.

Together with a talented group of NYC leaders, we delved into the unique mindsets, strengths, and challenges of cross-functional roles. The interactive activities helped improve understanding and synergy among the teams, while also providing practical tools to enhance communication and foster shared ownership within our work.

The energy, insights, and connections made throughout the event were truly inspiring. A huge thank you to Teresa for leading such an engaging session, and to all the attendees for bringing their curiosity and passion to the table.

We’re excited to continue strengthening teams, enhancing collaboration, and achieving impactful outcomes. If you missed this event, be sure to stay tuned for more opportunities to join us—we’re just getting started.

Keep en eye out for our future events!

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Future Proofing Product Leadership: Strategies for Adaption and Evolution

TDA — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:09:54 +0000

Future-Proofing Design & Product Leadership

At TDA, we’re helping design and product leaders navigate the challenges of a fast-changing world. Our recent roundtable, led by leadership coach Teresa Brazen, explored key strategies for adapting to new technologies and evolving team dynamics.

When it comes to tech, leaders need to clarify vague executive demands and turn them into actionable plans. Not every new technology is a fit—evaluating risks and pinpointing where tech is most effective is crucial. Testing new tools through small, contained projects like Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) helps manage expectations before full-scale rollouts. Leaders also balance quick wins with long-term tech strategies, ensuring they fit within broader business goals and user experience plans.

Team dynamics are equally important. Clear roles and responsibilities reduce friction, while transparency fosters trust within teams. Regular alignment meetings ensure everyone is on the same page, and embedding team members across departments enhances cross-functional empathy. Finally, aligning reward systems with team success encourages collaboration and shared achievements.

These approaches help leaders stay agile, guiding their teams through the complexities of modern business and technology shifts. Stay tuned for more insights at our upcoming in-person and online events!

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Understanding the Confluence of Technologies: AI, Cyber, Data, and Regulations in a Sustainable World

TDA — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:11:44 +0000

Understanding the Confluence of Technologies: AI, Cyber, Data, and Regulations in a Sustainable World

Cristina Dolan, an entrepreneur and global exec technology & cyber leader, joins us to discuss how AI, cybersecurity, data management, and ESG considerations are shaping the future of technology.

Are you an Executive or Board Member that is:

Selling products and services to drive digital transformation?
Building products for the next wave of digital transformation?
Utilizing data and technology for a competitive advantage and increased productivity?
Delivering strategies on the adoption of advanced technologies for growth?

Cristina Dolan entrepreneur and global exec technology and cyber leader joined TDA to discuss how to navigate the complex tech landscape!

About

Are you ready to navigate the complex and rapidly evolving tech landscape? This introductory presentation offers insights to the critical areas shaping the future of technology: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cybersecurity, Data Management, and Regulations, all woven together with the ever-growing importance of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations. Many organizations are struggling to manage the accelerated pandemic-driven digital transformation. Harnessing the opportunities requires deeper understanding as leaders in the financial industry predict a seven to ten percent global growth rate in GDP from the advances in data-driven technologies which promise to redefine the landscape of our economy and society.

The acceleration of technology-driven innovation fueled by compounded data growth of 61% (IDC) has the potential to solve problems while changing the landscape of how we live and work. Past industrial revolutions introduced new products that were enabled by the confluence of new technologies, for example, Henry Ford’s profound impact on the social and economic landscape of the 20^th century. Predictions of seven to ten percent growth in global GDP growth are expected from the confluence of today’s evolving technologies, primarily driven by increasing data, growing compute power and new technologies. This introduces the opportunity to solve some of the world’s biggest problems, for example, healthcare, which is the third United Nations Sustainability Development Goal, as the number of healthcare professionals declines in many developed countries.

This whirlwind of new technologies promising to solve all the world’s problems as excitement builds about the potential of AI has also led to confusion and concern about the future. Data-driven innovation also creates risks which include cyber risk, which has been weaponized by nation-states while driving revenue for countries like North Korea. The regulatory landscape has also changed, as nations struggle to contain risks and set guard rails.

Join us to learn about the evolution of data-driven technologies that are launching Industry 5.0. Sustainability of organizations requires innovation and adoption, and organizations that do not embrace the opportunities of digital transformation will not survive. Organizations are still adopting to the accelerated transformations that were required by the pandemic, and the required speed of digital transformation has not slowed down.

Cristina Dolan is an award-winning cybersecurity executive, engineer, computer scientist, and entrepreneur, driving transformation in security, data, fintech, and telecom. She co-founded a groundbreaking cybersecurity startup, and is an advisor and board member of several companies including WiseKey (SWX: WIHN), SEALSQ (NASDAQ:LAES), and GRIID (NASDAQ:GRDI). Most recently, she has been the Managing Director for LatAm and Head of the Americas distribution channel, and the Head of Global Alliances for RSA NetWitness. Additum, an award-winning European health-tech company she co-founded, is utilizing value-based data to improve outcomes in Europe and Africa. In addition, she is a senior lecturer at Columbia University.

In addition to holding Executive positions at Disney, IBM, Oracle, and TradingScreen, Cristina co-founded OneMain.com, which became the tenth-largest Internet Service Provider after a successful IPO that surpassed Amazon’s and eBay’s respective IPO records. Her accolades include co-authoring ‘Transparency in ESG’ and launching the renowned ‘Dream It. Code it. Win it’ student coding competition, which garnered numerous honors.

Recognized as the “Coup de cœur” of the CEFCYS in Europe, alongside distinctions such as 100 Women in Finance, Cristina exemplifies visionary leadership. She holds a master’s degree from the MIT Media Lab and earned both a Master of Computer Science Engineering and a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering.

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Leading with Authenticity: A Fireside Chat with Andy Vitale

TDA — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:14:35 +0000

As the year draws to a close, what better way to end 2023 than with an enlightening fireside chat led by none other than Andy Vitale, the Chief Design Officer at Constant Contact?

Hosted on the 19th of December, this event served as a beacon of inspiration and invaluable insights into design leadership and innovation.

This event resonated with a global audience eager to explore the realms of authentic leadership, team growth strategies, and the challenges leaders face in today’s dynamic landscape.

Andy Vitale’s seasoned expertise shone brightly as he navigated a wide range of critical leadership topics, providing a wealth of practical advice and actionable takeaways.

The event was a resounding success, largely due to the active participation and engagement of the attendees. Your presence and enthusiasm fueled the vibrant discussions, transforming the Fireside Chat into a dynamic forum for shared learning and growth.

To all who took the time to attend, your contributions and eagerness to learn were instrumental in making this event a triumph, so thank you!

A special note of gratitude goes to Andy Vitale for graciously hosting an event that encapsulated inspiration. Andy’s expertise, drawn from years of navigating diverse challenges and spearheading innovation in design leadership, provided attendees with a compass to navigate their own leadership journeys.

The forum unveiled key discussion takeaways that resonate long into the upcoming year. From seamlessly integrating into new roles to tackling leadership challenges head-on, understanding C-Suite dynamics, fostering team growth, and maintaining authenticity as leaders, the insights shared by Andy Vitale were nothing short of transformative.

Andy’s profile as a Chief Design Officer at Constant Contact speaks volumes about his commitment to ensuring millions of businesses worldwide experience intuitive and delightful digital interactions.

His journey, spanning startups to Fortune 500 companies in various sectors, embodies the transformative power of design. His dedication to inspiring positive change is evident in his roles as a professor, advisory board member, podcast co-host, and international keynote speaker.

Finally, Andy Vitale’s Fireside Chat was more than just a collection of ideas; it was a celebration of authentic leadership and the power of design to shape meaningful experiences.

If you couldn’t attend the event, we have you covered! You can watch the full forum below.

As we say goodbye to 2023, let us carry the lessons learned from this invaluable event forward, armed with the wisdom to lead authentically and successfully in the year ahead.

As we embrace the upcoming year, filled with new opportunities and prospects, we invite all thought leaders in design to join us for our upcoming Future of Design Forums in 2024.

If you’re passionate about design leadership and eager to be part of transformative conversations, please fill out the form below.

And finally, from everyone at TDA, we wish you all a Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year.

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Designing Success: How to Succeed and Navigate in a Tough Market

TDA — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:16:33 +0000

In a world where design is constantly evolving, staying ahead of the curve is more crucial than ever. The year 2023 has presented unique challenges to the design industry, and we believe that now is the time to explore strategies for success.

To facilitate this discussion, TDA recently brought together a panel of thought leaders for an insightful discussion titled “Designing Success: How to Succeed and Navigate in a Tough Market“.

Scott Mackie, Product Design & Innovation Leader ex Indigo, hosted the conversation. Scott is known for building and leading teams from zero to 90 people at companies such as athenahealth, VP Experience Design at Quanttus and recently Indigo Ag.

Joining him were our esteemed panellists, Mansi Vora, Dmitry Nekrasovski and Joseph Williams.

Mansi, Director of Product Design at Manhattan Associates, has over 10 years of experience crafting transformative experiences and guiding teams to create impactful, profitable, and innovative SAAS solutions by employing effective design thinking strategies.

Dmitry, Senior Director of Product Design at Atlas, has over 15 years of experience and 8+ years of experience leading and growing world-class, globally distributed design teams at startups, scaleups, and enterprises.

Joseph, Director of Product Design at project44, has over a decade of experience and has worked in tech across the spectrum from cloud software at Google and Spotify to consumer-focused products at start-ups.

The format of the panel discussion was designed to maximise audience participation. Three pressing questions were put forth:

How does hiring change in a tough market, and what does that mean for how candidates should present themselves?
Can you share your thoughts on how to be an invaluable design leader when times are tough?
Can you tell us how design leaders can continue influencing innovation in this market?

Our panellists shared their insights on how, as a design leader, can you succeed and navigate in the tough market.

They focused on three key topic areas of:

Getting Hired / Hiring
Operating
Influencing

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Navigating Ethical Frontiers: Harnessing AI for Efficient Product Management

TDA — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:21:37 +0000

We recently collaborated with the team at Deeploop to host an illuminating lunch and learn forum.

This event brought together industry experts, thought leaders, and innovators in AI and product development, sparking a conversation about AI’s ethical and appropriate use in shaping modern businesses.

The forum delved deep into the critical question: “Is AI being used appropriately and ethically to develop products?”

It addressed concerns around limited datasets, potential biases, and challenges faced by product development teams leveraging AI.

Sade Amale, Co-Founder at Deeploop was our host, joined by our exceptional panellists Akin Akinwale, Data Scientist and Co-Founder at Deeploop, Daniel Neagu, Professor of AI at the University of Bradford and Steve Grout, Founder and Board Advisor at Coleville London.

Testimonials from our Esteemed Attendees

“I found it excellent. The inclusion of both academic and industry representatives added value, and the speakers were highly knowledgeable.”

VP of Product – FinTech

“Really enjoyed the discussion. It was super insightful and interesting to hear people’s takes on AI and the challenges we face from an ethical point of view. I’ll certainly be attending the next session.”

Head of Product – AI

Insights

Sade Amale, Daniel Neagu, Akin Akinwale, and Steve Grout shared their wealth of knowledge and experience in product innovation, AI, data science, and business strategy.

Their insights illuminated the challenges in product development and the transformative potential of responsible AI.

Key takeaways

Ethical AI Development: Deeploop’s commitment to responsible AI resonated strongly as they shared insights and best practices.

Representative Datasets: The importance of inclusive and representative datasets for AI systems’ reliability and accountability was underscored.

Ongoing Vigilance: Continuous testing and expert oversight for AI reliability emerged as critical aspects of a responsible AI journey.

Looking ahead

The success of this forum has invigorated our commitment to fostering meaningful discussions and collaborations. Stay tuned for future forums that will explore the evolving landscape of AI in product development.

Looking to the future

The event, in partnership with Deeploop, underscored the importance of responsible AI implementation in product development. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our speakers, attendees, and partners for contributing to this enriching dialogue.

We are immensely grateful for the encouraging feedback received from industry leaders, emphasizing the value and insights gained from our forum.

We welcome industry professionals passionate about shaping the future of product to join us as speakers in our upcoming forums.

Your expertise and insights are invaluable in driving meaningful discussions.

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Designing the Future: Human Centricity, Design, and Creativity in the Age of A.I.

TDA — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:22:26 +0000

If you couldn’t attend the live discussion, we’ve got you covered! Above you can access the full recording. Whether you’re steeped in AI discussions or just starting, this conversation is sure to spark thoughts and ideas.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), businesses have been focused on the operational impact of AI, however, understanding its implications for human-centric design and creativity is more crucial than ever for traversing the future.

To facilitate this discussion, TDA Creative recently brought together a panel of thought leaders for an insightful discussion titled “The Role of Human Centricity, Design, and Creativity in the Age of AI”.

Eelko Lommers, Experience Design leader at IKEA, hosted the conversation. Known for championing user experiences, Eelko kicked off the session with his views on the topic, setting a thoughtful tone for the dialogue to follow.

Joining him were our esteemed panellists, Anthony Reeves and Sara Keating. Anthony, Global Partner at Essence Media, is renowned for promoting a people-first approach amidst a technology-driven world.

Sara, the Global Head of Design at Phillips, combines creativity and business acumen, known for her impactful contributions like driving over $1 billion global growth with Crest/Oral-B 3D White.

The format of the panel discussion was designed to maximise audience participation. Four pressing questions were put forth:

What key challenges does AI introduce for teams and professionals?
Can AI truly become human-centred, inclusive, and empathetic?
What skills should professionals hone to remain impactful in an AI-dominated landscape?
What opportunities might a future with AI hold for the creative industry?

Our panellists shared their invaluable insights, emphasising the indispensable role of empathy, curiosity, and creative thinking in navigating the era of AI.

Their perspectives underscored the balance required between technology and a human-first approach, while highlighting the need to optimism from leaders in this new world order.

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