Sharren Bates
About Sharren Bates
Sharren Bates is the Head of Product Management Transformation for North America at ThoughtWorks, where she has worked since 2021. With extensive experience in product management and service design, she has held various leadership roles in organizations such as Lifion by ADP, the New York City Department of Education, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Current Role at ThoughtWorks
Sharren Bates serves as the Head of Product Management Transformation for North America at ThoughtWorks. She has held this position since 2021, contributing to the company's focus on product management and transformation strategies. In addition to her current role, she also operates as a Principal Consultant in Product and Technology Strategy, a position she has maintained since 2016. Her work at ThoughtWorks emphasizes human-centered design and lean value-driven digital transformation.
Previous Experience in Product Management
Before joining ThoughtWorks, Sharren Bates held several significant positions in product management. She was the Senior Director of Product Management at Lifion, by ADP from 2015 to 2016. Prior to that, she served as the Executive Director of Product Development at the New York City Department of Education from 2007 to 2009. Additionally, she worked as a Senior Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation from 2010 to 2013, where she focused on product development initiatives.
Background in Education and Early Career
Sharren Bates studied at The College of New Jersey, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in English and Elementary Education from 1992 to 1996. Her early career included roles such as Product Specialist - Global IT at KPMG from 2002 to 2005 and Director of Product Implementation at The Grow Network / McGraw-Hill from 2005 to 2007. These experiences laid the foundation for her expertise in product management and service design.
Expertise in Service Design and Digital Transformation
Sharren Bates possesses a strong background in service design, focusing on the organization of people, infrastructure, communication, and materials within services. She specializes in human-centered design, ensuring that solutions meet the needs of end-users. Her deep expertise in lean value-driven digital transformation allows her to optimize processes for maximum value delivery. She is also known for designing workshops that foster team collaboration and innovation.
Public Speaking and Thought Leadership
Sharren Bates engages in public speaking and presentations, sharing her insights on digital product strategy and transformation. Her ability to communicate complex concepts effectively contributes to her reputation as a thought leader in the field. Through her presentations, she aims to inspire and educate others on best practices in product management and service design.