Our founder, Eleni Lialiamou, recently had an incredible Q&A session with Louron Pratt, the Editor at Mind the Product. They delved into the world of inclusive product leadership, community-driven learning, and empowering women for the future of product work.
Kimolian Academy, started by Eleni, began humbly with coaching sessions, shared Google Docs, and informal meetups. But now, it has blossomed into a thriving community for women in product.
Eleni, a product executive with a diverse background in engineering, business, and leadership across Europe, has turned her passion project into a powerful platform. Women from underrepresented backgrounds are gaining valuable product skills, building confidence, and launching successful careers in the field.
Their conversation was enlightening, discussing the origins of Kimolian Academy, what sets the program apart, and the exciting future of the product industry. Get ready to be inspired by their journey and the impact they are making in the world of product development!
Louron’s first question was, “How did Kimolian Academy come to life?” Eleni’s response was inspiring. She shared how she studied computer science and electrical engineering, gaining valuable experience in engineering-related roles before fully embracing product management. As she progressed in her career, she noticed the lack of women in her field. This realization led her to create weekend coaching circles where women could learn, practice, and explore product management as a viable career path. This initiative eventually evolved into the creation of Kimolian Academy, a structured program designed to empower women with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in product roles.
Curious to learn more about the program, Louron asked, “How would you describe the program to someone new?” Eleni enthusiastically explained that Kimolian Academy is a 12-week, hands-on group coaching program that goes beyond traditional training. Participants work in real teams, tackling real problems under real constraints. Each cohort consists of women from around the world who engage in a comprehensive product development cycle, from discovery to stakeholder presentations. The program also emphasizes the development of essential human skills such as collaboration, conflict resolution, adaptability, and self-advocacy.
Throughout the Q&A session, Eleni and Louron delved into the diverse backgrounds of community members, the strategic team structures and challenges within the program, the common barriers women face when transitioning into product roles, and the ongoing support provided to participants beyond the initial 12 weeks. The passion and dedication Eleni exudes for empowering women in the tech industry is truly inspiring!
Louron was eager to learn more about AI and how Eleni is empowering women to navigate the changes it brings to the product landscape. Eleni’s response was enthusiastic – AI is already revolutionizing product work, so they are integrating it right from the start. She highlighted that Kimolian Academy offers training sessions on cutting-edge tools like Perplexity, Dovetail, UI Wizard, Replit, and more. The focus isn’t just on knowing the tools, but on understanding how and when to use them effectively.
The conversation then shifted to the product job market, where Eleni shared her insights on the challenges women face. Hiring has slowed down, with a continued bias towards traditional candidates and linear CVs. This poses difficulties for women looking to pivot their careers or those from underrepresented backgrounds.
Lastly, they discussed the exciting plans for Kimolian Academy this year. Eleni emphasized the importance of building partnerships with companies and increasing community visibility. The ultimate goal is to reach more women and provide them with the support they need on their product journey. Exciting times ahead for Kimolian Academy!
To read more: https://shorturl.at/FfxGd
