Anna Donovan: Product Manager

Anna Donovan

MA International Cultural Policy and Management, 2016

Based in: New York

First job:

My first job was as an office manager at an architectural visualization agency. It was a great first role to learn about the operations of a small business, and it was an introduction to the tech world.

Ambitions for the future:

I want to continue working in mission-driven tech, and civic tech is an area I'm particularly drawn to because I think there's a lot of potential for product thinking to drive real change at a community level. I'm also passionate about empowering more women in tech and hope to play an active role in that as my career progresses.

Advice for current students:

Always keep learning, regardless of your role or where you are in your career.

Product Manager, Togetherhood

Describe your current role and what attracted you to it.

I'm a Product Manager at Togetherhood, a marketplace that connects schools with vetted independent enrichment instructors, making it easy for communities to offer high-quality after-school programming in the arts, sports, and STEM. I knew I wanted to keep working in small tech startups, but I wanted to move into something more mission driven. What I love about Togetherhood is that the work is always grounded in real impact, so everything we build is focused on creating a positive experience for children, instructors, and schools.

What’s your favourite part of the role?

I'm the first Product Manager at Togetherhood, which means my role goes beyond improving the product and communicating roadmap and strategy – it's also about establishing processes and helping the team scale from a scrappy startup into a truly product-focused organisation.

What are the key skills you learnt at Warwick that have helped you with your career to date?

Although my degree wasn't directly related to tech or product management, my time at Warwick allowed me to develop key skills that I use every day at work. Working with the international student community on my course taught me how to navigate diverse perspectives and collaborate across cultures. This has been critical in all of my jobs in tech, as I’ve worked at global companies and with international development teams in Nigeria, Portugal, India, and Latin America.

Did you have a specific career path in mind when you chose to study at Warwick?

The career path I initially had in mind was in arts administration, where I hoped to work in galleries and museums. While I've always had a strong personal interest in art, when the opportunity to join a tech start-up came along, I saw it as an exciting new challenge in a successful and growing industry. That first start-up role led to other jobs at interesting tech companies and has allowed me to move to New York City.

What has been your greatest career challenge to date and how did your experience and skills help overcome it?

One of my biggest challenges has been operating in a tech space without a formal technical background. This shows up when making product decisions that have real technical implications, where you need enough understanding to weigh trade-offs and make the right call. To navigate this I've focused on close collaboration with my team, asking the right questions, and consistently learning from the engineers around me. Over time that's allowed me to contribute meaningfully to technical discussions and make more confident, well-informed decisions.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given in relation to your career?

The best advice I've heard about my career is to be myself. In competitive work environments, it can seem like there is only one way to be successful and that you have to fit in a certain way to get ahead. But success comes from building genuine relationships, being honest, and working collaboratively.

What top tips do you have for Warwick graduates who would like to work in your sector?

The tech industry is incredibly broad, offering opportunities for people from all backgrounds. If you don't have a tech-specific degree or much experience in tech, focus on showcasing your transferable skills, your curiosity, and your drive to tackle new challenges. Those qualities matter more than you might think.