Rotterdam, South Holland, Netherlands
I’m a Product Manager specialized in accessibility technology, dedicated to building software that removes barriers and enables people to participate fully in the digital world. Over the past 13 years in the accessibility industry, I’ve grown from developing add-ons and training individuals to leading product strategy and cross-functional software teams. For more than three years, I’ve worked in product management, guiding the evolution of some of the world’s leading screen readers and magnifiers—tools that help blind and low-vision users access information, work independently, and connect with others. My work bridges product management, user-centered design, and business strategy to make accessibility a driver of innovation. With a background spanning software development, UX, and an Executive MBA, I connect user insights, technical potential, and strategic direction. I collaborate across disciplines and cultures to make accessibility an integral part of how products are imagined and built.
Over the past three years, my role has evolved from feature-focused product ownership to shaping long-term strategy for a global accessibility software portfolio. Current focus: - Define multi-year product roadmaps and guide strategic initiatives across JAWS, ZoomText, Fusion, and related accessibility solutions. - Lead cross-functional collaboration between engineering, UX, marketing, and data teams to align innovation, accessibility standards, and business priorities. - Drive international product alignment and stakeholder engagement across the U.S. and European regions. - Support digital transformation initiatives, including subscription models and cloud-based accessibility solutions. Earlier focus: - Led feature development and release planning for major product updates, integrating direct user feedback to shape design decisions. - Managed market analysis and competitive research to strengthen product positioning and support AI-driven enhancements. - Collaborated on ARIA-AT standardization efforts to improve global web accessibility for screen reader users.
- Led research initiatives, usability tests, and coding efforts to develop high-functioning prototypes and production software, enhancing user experience and functionality. - Pioneered key features like the Voice Assistant in the Fusion Suite (Screen Reader & Screen Magnifier), contributing significantly to product innovation. - Established and enforced user experience standards and best practices across products, ensuring consistency and high-quality user interfaces.
- Conducted detailed analysis of user interactions with the Fusion Suite products, providing valuable insights for product enhancement. - Developed a proof-of-concept for an integrated voice assistant utilizing online services, laying the groundwork for future innovation in accessibility tools.
- Contributed to the "Mittelstand 4.0" project by conducting and analyzing interviews and workshops, developing a clickable prototype, and assessing its usability with users. - Developed a high-fidelity prototype of a progressive web app using Angular framework (v7), demonstrating skills in modern web development and user-centric design.
- Designed and developed user-specific scripts for the JAWS screen reader, enhancing accessibility and user experience. - Conducted accessibility analyses, generating detailed reports and providing expert consulting to improve product accessibility. - Developed an Outlook Add-In in C# to facilitate meeting scheduling via Braille display for screen reader users. - Created a Word Add-In in C#, which automatically assigns accessible names to form fields by analyzing document text, improving document accessibility. - Provided tailored training for visually impaired users on effectively utilizing the Screen Reader, Screen Magnifier, and internal company software.