Reminiscing 2025 To Envisioning 2026 for Product Management
PDMA Seattle | December 17, 2025
Description
Attend PDMA Seattle's inaugural speaker series session to hear from Andrew Shaw (The Product Recruiter & Martyn Bassett Associates) on a year-end wrap for 2025, and his predictions for 2026 in the product management space.
Join an interactive interview to ask questions to learn on what trends to watch out for and strategically prepare yourself for 2026 job market.
Learning Objectives:
- Strategic Career Positioning: Learn how C-suites view the modern Product function and whether to focus on vertical expertise or horizontal scope in 2026.
- The AI Advantage: Discover which traditional PM tasks are being automated and how to demonstrate your unique, "AI-proof" human value in interviews.
- Market Forecast: Gain insider knowledge on rising niche roles, industries to watch, and specific hiring trends within the Seattle and Washington state markets.
About the Speakers
Andrew Shaw
Andrew Shaw is the Head of Executive & Product Search at The Product Recruiter and Martyn Bassett Associates, where he helps early-stage and high-growth tech companies build the leadership teams that drive scale.
With over 20 years of experience in executive search, leadership development, and talent strategy, Andrew has become a trusted advisor to Founders, CEOs, and investors looking to navigate the challenges of hiring in fast-moving product-led organizations. His work centers on helping companies identify, attract, and retain transformative leaders, from product and technology to go-to-market and operations, who can turn vision into execution.
Passionate about the intersection of people, product, and growth, Andrew approaches every search with strategic insight and care. He thrives on tackling complex business challenges and partnering with ambitious Founders, CEOs, and Investors to build lasting relationships that help companies reach their next stage of growth.
Heidi Ram
Heidi Ram is a strategic partner to Founders, CEOs, and CPOs building high-performing product organizations. With over 25 years of experience recruiting on behalf of VC-backed startups and scaleups, she brings a rare “recruiter’s-eye view” into the nuances of hiring and scaling product talent.
Heidi is the Product Practice Lead of The Product Recruiter, North America’s only executive search practice dedicated to Product Management, Product Marketing, and Product Design.
She’s a recognized voice in the product community; a frequent speaker at Product Leader Summit, Sidebar, Women in Product, and the Toronto Product Management Association, where she also served on the board (2022–2024).
Known for her market fluency and sharp insights, from the Maker vs. Manager debate to the evolving expectations of domain expertise, Heidi helps product leaders and founders make smarter, faster, and more future-proof hiring decisions.