Professional Growth and Certification: Lessons from the Top with Cynthia Petti

In this episode of Productside Stories, host Rina Alexin sits down with Cynthia Petti, Chief Operating Officer of Productside, to discuss the critical role of professional development and certification in a product manager’s career. 

Cynthia shares her inspiring journey back to Productside during a challenging personal time and how a supportive company culture fueled her growth into the COO role. Together, they explore key insights from Productside’s Certification Outcomes Report, including the value of professional learning, the tangible career benefits of certification, and how to strategically navigate promotions and raises. 

You’ll also hear Cynthia’s tips for building a personal board of directors, finding mentors, and setting yourself up for success in 2025. This is the perfect listen if you plan to upskill, reach your next career milestone, or bring more value to your teams. The stories you’ll hear are relatable, and you’ll come out of it with actionable tips to take home with you. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Why professional development should never stop 

• How certification drives promotions, raises, and recognition 

• Tips for negotiating raises with confidence 

• The power of mentorship and building a personal board of directors