Hope Bovenzi
Hope Bovenzi
 

Hope Bovenzi

Head of Product Management @ Enel X Way
CA
hmbovenzi@gmail.com
Close Up Navigating Obstacles Career Pathway Q&A

Two Sentence Story

I'm a passionate and experienced leader in product management, currently serving as the head of product management at Enel X Way. With a career dedicated to driving innovation and excellence in technology, I've led numerous projects that have made significant contributions to sustainable energy solutions and smart Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging. Being a product manager means being at the intersection of technology, business, and design. It involves understanding the needs of users, working with engineers to create solutions, and collaborating with designers to ensure a seamless and enjoyable user experience. It's about being a problem solver, a communicator, and a visionary who can see the big picture while paying attention to the details. For young women and teens exploring careers as engineers, it's important to know that your unique perspectives and creativity are incredibly valuable. Engineering is about building the future, and as a product manager with engineering degree, you get to shape that future by bringing together diverse teams and ideas to create products that make a difference in people's lives. Believe in yourself, stay curious, and never stop learning. The tech world needs your voice and vision!

Close Up

What I Do

A product manager's day-to-day activities involve a mix of strategic planning, team collaboration, and user-focused tasks. I work to prioritize product and product features, review roadmap timelines and goals, and ensure products align with the overall company vision for growing EV Charging adoption. I regularly meet with cross-functional teams, including engineers, designers, and marketing, to discuss progress, resolve issues, and gather feedback. Additionally, I analyze market trends and user data while collecting direct feedback from customers to make informed decisions, prioritize features, and adjust the product roadmap. Communication is key, so I often engage with stakeholders to update them on progress and gather input. Ultimately, a product manager ensures that the product development process runs smoothly and delivers value to users.

Why STEM?

Starting in grade school it was obvious that I was a builder and creator. I loved to draw, paint, and do arts and crafts. But when my dad gave me my first junior circuit board, a new type of creating was introduced in my life. As I grew older, I also developed an interest in math and science and by the time I enrolled in my first physics class, I could finally apply math to science and understand how to create things. Naturally, the delight I found in creating combined with my passion for math and science pushed me towards engineering.

School Days

I did my undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering at University of California, Davis. I also have an MBA from UCLA with a specialization in Technical Management.

My Day At Work

Most of my days are spent aligning on:

  • the status of various products (example: is testing going well, are there bug fixes needed, is there a delay in manufacturing), 
  • one-on-one's with my team members to determine where they need help and how I can help support them
  • prioritization and product strategy planning for executive alignment

Best Part

I get to get make new products that people interact with everyday!

Proud Moments

My proud moments have been seeing customers using my product out in the world. Whether seeing my product on a billboard or an online advertisement, I always feel a sense of pride knowing that me and my team made that product a reality.

Challenges

I have been rejected by schools and jobs, I’ve had to work with difficult managers, coworkers, and customers. I’ve spent hours in the lab trying to figure out the smallest issue that is stopping the whole design from working. I’ve faced sexism many times in this male dominated industry but through it all I’ve taken it one step at a time. Just like with an engineering problem, sometimes you have to just have to take a step back and think, “Ok, that didn’t work, but what is the next step that I can try?” It’s also important to ask for help!

My Family

I married my husband in September 2015 and we currently have three dogs. We were introduced by a good friend of ours (and fellow electrical engineer) in our last year of undergraduate school. My husband is a Mechanical Engineer and also works in the automotive world. My dad and brother also studied engineering!

Dreams and Goals

Career-wise I love product management and want to continue building cool products. I'd love to continue growing in this field and take more products with complex problems to solve. 

Inspirations

Many people have helped encourage me and mentor me over the years. My dad has probably been the person that has helped influence my career choices the most, doing whatever it took to introduce me to people and career options. My mentors in high school and college have also had a great influence on my views and opinions of the world. I still appreciate the encouragement and advice from them. Additionally, in my career I have always sought out the mentorship to help guide me through my current and future roles!

My Advice

Just because you might not fit the stereotype of what a “typical engineer” is doesn’t mean that you can’t be an engineer. Don’t be afraid to be smart, take risks, try something new (that’s what engineering is all about!), and learn how you learn!

Hobbies

Outside of work I like to volunteer, travel, play with my dogs, paint, crochet, and do yoga.

Volunteer Opportunities

I am willing to be contacted by educators for possible speaking engagements in schools or in after school programs or summer camps., I am willing to serve as science fair judge or other temporary volunteer at a local school., I am willing to be contacted about potential job shadowing by interested students., I am willing to be interviewed by interested students via email.

Engineering Careers

Electrical and Electronics Engineers

Engineering Career Fields

Electrical

Areas Of Interest

Energy Environment Transportation & Travel

Navigating Obstacles

Addressing disrespect or harassment, Accessing insider knowledge, Overcoming doubt and discouragement/Imposter Syndrome, Discovering optional career tracks, Making connections, Building a community, or Finding mentors, Acting as an ally for those with less power

Addressing Disrespect or Harassment

It's unfortunately that there are still times when underrepresented folks in STEM careers will face overt or covert disrespect and harassment. Two pieces of advice I give are: 1) establish a network of allies and mentors. These people will get to know you and your character and can help you through these difficult challenges 2) Speak up. As isolating as it may be, bringing to light harassment will hopefully allow it to be address, but if anything, help those who come after you.

Accessing Insider Knowledge

This is a tough thing because often times it's tough for underrepresented folks to feel included, and shouldn't be on them to figure out how to become an insider. Ally's play a key role in this inclusion role. Regardless, I think building 1:1 relationships with people have insider knowledge is key to getting their perspective on cultural differences. Building 1:1 relationships with many folks helps a person paint a mental model of "why" the culture is the way it is. It's always a way that a person can develop an ally on the team.

Overcoming Doubt

Most everyone suffers from imposter syndrome at some point, and once I figured that out, I felt comforted by how common it actual is. If you have questions or are unsure about something, that doesn't mean you aren't intelligent or capable, it could be that something is inherently not clear or wasn't explained in a way you're used to. Speak up and ask the question!

Discovering Optional Career

As an engineering student, I had no clue that there were other types of jobs that need engineering degrees but don't get classified as "engineers." Program managers, marketing managers, product managers, testing, quality, etc. are all types of roles that engineers can move into with a technical degree. When I was making the switch from engineering to product management, I faced challenges because I had years of experience as an engineer but not the title of "Product Manager." I had to identify transferable skills that were applicable in both engineering and product management, and with the help of mentorship from product managers, I was able to make the career switch successfully.

Making Connections

Find someone who you look up to who has characteristics and skills that you're looking to develop. Sometimes they are in roles that you'd like to grow into or they may have a few more years of experience than you. Regardless, find someone who inspires you. When asking if they'd be your mentor, I think there are two main ways: 1) Be BOLD and ask! Its ok to say "hey I admire your skills and achievements because those are areas I'd really like to grow. Do you mind mentoring me with those specific growth goals in mind? 2) Sometimes it happens naturally. Building a relationship with someone who may have a different experience (they don't always have to be senior to you!) can inevitably lead to someone whose guidance and opinion matters to you. Either way, foster your relationships because these will be key people that help you grow.

Acting as an Ally

It's important for folks who reap the benefits of systems that were inherently built for them (typically white, cisgender, heterosexual, men) to recognize that they benefit from these systems. For any of us who benefit from these privileged attributes, it's our responsibility to learn and lift up those who don't benefit from that same privilege. We also need to recognize when we get things wrong (because we will!), but coming from a place of humility and accountability means that we can further support those who've historically had less power and be a better ally to amplify their voices.

Obstacles Helpful for Youth

There are many obstacles you'll face in your academics and career. Life happens. Sometimes you will face difficult times with your family, your health, and in your career. Keep in mind that your academics and career are important, but it shouldn't be the MOST important thing in your life. Finding a balance is key and it's important to practice self-care.

Companies Mitigate Challenges

I don't think there is one policy that can systemically change an organization but I think there are a few key criteria orgs should consider: 1. Prioritize underrepresented voices: - Listen to ideas and feedback from underrepresented groups and use that to shape the policy within the org. - Build policies that provide equitable support for underrepresented groups. These groups are often starting at a disadvantage because they don't have representation at the top of companies, in their direct orgs and sometimes even directly on their teams. Giving them extra support through mentoring and resources helps set them up for success. 2. Transparency: Organizational report cards on DEI is great but key things like pay transparency allows are what will really close the pay gap. Transparency around how much time spent recruiting from diverse colleges and funding for DEI programs also allows individuals to understand where orgs true priorities reside. 3. Accountability: Orgs should be held accountable when their DEI initiatives fail or don't meet their targets. Oftentimes there will be big momentum behind movements and then when the momentum fades, there isn't follow-up to goals that were previously set.

Career Pathway

K-12 STEM Opportunities

Engineering or technology class, AP STEM class

Undergraduate Certification

A Bachelor’s Degree

Undergraduate Field

Engineering

Associate Bachelor Major

Electrical Engineering

Graduate Degrees

Master’s degree

Graduate Field

Technology, A non-STEM field

Previous Role Employed

Engineer, Manager

Login

Recover Password?