Attend our AGM on June 18th and cast your vote for our new board! More info here (PDF)
VOLUNTEER
The TPMA offers a volunteer program that allows individuals to contribute their expertise and help build Toronto’s largest product community. The volunteer program is designed to connect local product management professionals and individuals looking to start their product management careers or to enrich their knowledge of the profession.
Committed volunteers get access to the following perks:
Free membership and access to TPMA monthly in-person events
Opportunity to work with and learn from product leaders
Contribute to building the 3rd largest tech hub in North America
We are growing and are searching for passionate volunteers to embark on a journey with us. It's the spirit and dedication from our volunteer community that fuels all the great initiatives we put forward to the product community.
Are you passionate about making a difference and looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity? We'd love to hear from you! If you're interested in applying for any of our open volunteer roles, simply send an email to volunteers@tpma.ca. In your message, please share why you're interested in TPMA and why you're enthusiastic about the specific position you're applying for. Don't forget to include a link to your LinkedIn profile as well. We're excited to learn more about you!
To ensure the success of our programs, we require a strong commitment from all our volunteers. By signing up, you agree to volunteer for the entire duration of the program term.
Edwar is currently a Customer Success Specialist managing a portfolio of clients for a B2B SaaS company. In his day-to-day job, he explores ways of cultivating relationships with clients and growing their accounts while maintaining outstanding retention rates. Prior to this role, he was the co-founder and product manager of a B2C ed-tech startup where he led the product from ideation to implementation. That role was a turning point for his career as that is where he discovered his interest in product management. Outside of work, you will find Edwar hiking, playing basketball or exploring new places.
I started out as a regular member of the TPMA and loved connecting and networking with other product professionals. Seeing how the TPMA events and programs were meticulously planned and run has inspired me to become one of the volunteers. Volunteering at TPMA allows me to give back while continuing to grow both personally and professionally.
Volunteering at TPMA is meaningful because it allows me to contribute to a community that supports continuous learning, collaboration, and career development in product management. The TPMA has proved itself as one of the strongest product communities in North America. This achievement is a result of the hours of work that volunteers and board members put behind the scenes. Beyond networking, being part of a volunteer team made up of driven, like-minded individuals that brings real value to others is truly rewarding.
Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and try something new. Volunteering is a great way to grow your network, build new skills, and gain experience in areas you might not get exposure to in your day-to-day job. If you have a particular skill that is valuable, whether in marketing or event management, then putting it into use as a volunteer will give you a sense of purpose. Be open-minded, proactive, and ready to contribute and learn from many other incredible people!
Kevan is a senior product manager at the Government of Ontario’s digital team, where he has helped deliver pivotal public services like the Verify Ontario app during the COVID-19 pandemic. While he initially studied to be a journalist, he later pivoted into policy and service design, channeling storytelling into public service. Out of the office, Kevan used to spend most of his time on the rugby pitch, but after sustaining a career-ending injury in Amsterdam, he now fills his time playing volleyball, tennis, and ultimate frisbee.
Product management is a very nascent discipline in the public sector—there aren’t a lot of us, so I initially came to the TPMA to connect with other product practitioners and build out my network of peers in Toronto. It only took one or two events for me to really see the value in creating this kind of community in our city, and so when there was an opportunity to help build it out further as a volunteer, I knew I had to jump in and be a part of it.
The TPMA does a lot of different things, from program and event management to balancing the needs of sponsors and industry partners. As a volunteer, you gain a new perspective on just how much the TPMA is doing for its members, and get to connect and learn from the other volunteers and board members who are putting so much of themselves into making the TPMA what it is.
Do it. As a volunteer-run organization, there are countless opportunities for anyone with the time and energy to contribute. There are so many ways for people with different skills and backgrounds to make a real impact, and you’ll meet a ton of talented and supportive people along the way.
As someone who is always looking for a better way to do something, digital product management was the perfect profession that gave Jessica the creative problem solving space to develop solutions to meet customer needs. During the pandemic, Jesscia helped bring a booking tool to market that enabled access to vaccines - this tool is still being used across Loblaws and Shoppers Drug Mart pharmacies to book multiple health services. Jessica currently works at Manulife on the Global Digital Acceleration team, leading the strategy, planning, and delivery of core digital capabilities across Manulife's products.
I’ve found that the most successful people regularly make the time to build connections and community, and always think about how they can add value. This principle has served me well in my personal and professional life.
TPMA is a place that brings passionate product people together to talk about ideas, challenges and learnings in an ever-evolving profession. As a naturally curious person, this opportunity to grow excites me! Being a volunteer also allows me to play an active role in growing the community, and giving back.
Always start by thinking about how you can add value. Think about what you are good at, what time commitment is realistic for you and then follow through! This approach allowed me to meaningfully contribute to the TPMA community, which in turn, has expanded my network, added new skills to my product toolkit, and opened up the doors to even more opportunities for growth.
Taqee is a Product Owner who found his way into product management after starting out in Mechanical Engineering. His career spans digital health, SaaS, 3D printing, and construction — each requiring curiosity, agility, and adaptability. His time in healthcare product ownership sharpened his ability to navigate change, and he developed a passion for solving meaningful problems with lasting impact. Outside of work, you’ll likely find him devouring poetry, open mics, watching Formula 1, or exploring Toronto’s food scene — always with a cup of tea in hand.
When I first stumbled into product management, I felt like an outsider. Without a traditional product background, I wasn’t sure I belonged. That changed when I found the amazing folks at TPMA. From my first event, I could tell this was a welcoming space where product people from all backgrounds could learn, share, and grow. That sense of belonging made me want to get involved and contribute to a growing community.
For me, volunteering at TPMA is all about community and connection. The diversity of people and ideas makes every event and project exciting, and working on the sponsorship team has been especially rewarding. Building partnerships with companies that believe in TPMA’s mission has given me a whole new appreciation for the work behind the scenes. I’m grateful to Aaron Mohammed, a brilliant mentor, and the TPMA team for trusting me.
There’s never a perfect time to volunteer — so just jump in! It’s incredibly rewarding, whether you’re brand new to product, exploring a career shift, or simply curious to meet others in the field. Your unique perspective brings value to the community. Volunteering at TPMA lets you learn alongside experienced product people, and lets you be part of a supportive community that makes your journey that much more wholesome.
Anita is a brand and digital marketer leading and executing successful national campaigns. Her expertise spans across, digital, creative and content strategy, with a focus on customer-centric insights and digital best practices. Anita crafts impactful campaigns that deliver unique, personalized experiences, using A/B testing and working towards CRO for landing pages. During her time as a Campaign Product Owner, it allowed her to be agile and quick to adapt in the planning and execution process, responding to change as new learnings or priorities shift. Beyond the office, Anita enjoys creating memories with her family, making slime with her daughters, sweet treat creations, reformer and yoga.
I was inspired to join the TPMA volunteer team because I was seeking a strong sense of community, enjoyed connecting with other people, and provided me the opportunity to work together with Barb Szreder who has been an inspiration in my professional career. The TPMA's reputation for fostering a supportive and collaborative environment was a major draw. I also wanted to deepen my understanding of product management beyond my current experience. Volunteering with the TPMA offers a unique opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals and gain insights into diverse product strategies and best practices.
Volunteering at TPMA is meaningful for me because, as the Volunteer Community Manager, I enjoy connecting talented individuals with each other and with product leaders. Seeing the spark when someone finds the right opportunity within our community is incredibly gratifying. Beyond my core responsibilities, I also find meaning in maximizing TPMA's reach and impact. Whether it's creating visually engaging infographics or developing KPI processes to measure volunteer success, I enjoy contributing to TPMA's growth and ensuring our volunteers have a positive and rewarding experience.
Volunteering can be an incredibly rewarding experience, connecting you with new people, broadening your perspective, and giving you a sense of purpose that goes beyond your day-to-day routine. Even in the smallest interactions, you can make a difference while also with the opportunity to learn new approaches in your professional development directly or transversal.
Mahak Gupta's career is a testament to her innovative spirit and strategic prowess. From a foundation in Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Mahak leaped into entrepreneurship, founding a consulting firm that thrived under her leadership. This experience paved her way to an MBA at Ivey Business School, enhancing her leadership skills and propelling her into product management. Now at TELUS, and as TPMA’s Marketing Content Lead, Mahak shapes compelling narratives that resonate widely. Beyond her professional ventures, she leads E-commhers Mentors, and in her downtime, enjoys baking, art, hiking and hot yoga.
Joining the TPMA team was driven by a blend of personal and professional goals. Engaging with expert product managers has advanced my industry knowledge and professional growth. Beyond keeping up with trends, refining my writing skills through TPMA's content initiatives has sharpened my ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, enhancing every aspect of my communication. Most fulfilling, however, is the chance to give back to a community that was pivotal in my career, enabling me to support others just as I was supported.
Being the Marketing Content Lead has been uniquely rewarding because it allows me to amplify the voices of our authors, transforming their complex narratives into clear, impactful messages. It’s incredibly gratifying to see an author's genuine voice shine through their refined work. Working alongside a team that’s as dedicated to innovative ideas and community growth as they are to delivering quality content lets us take creative risks.
If you’re considering volunteering, know that you’re entering a vibrant ecosystem rich with knowledge and experience. This is a prime opportunity to tap into the collective wisdom of peers who may be walking paths you aspire to follow. Embrace the dual roles of contributor and learner. You'll discover that volunteering not only empowers those around you but also catalyzes significant personal and professional development. Dive in with an open heart and mind, and the rewards will be immeasurable.
A.J. is a product owner at Bell Media, where he leads the delivery of core video solutions. He wrote a civics textbook with a friend, entitled Canadian Political Structure and Public Administration (2023), and, when he’s not reading, he walks everywhere and often.
Before I started in product, I directed communications for the RCMP member association amid their (now) successful unionization campaign. That experience taught me how the selfless efforts of a few can raise the quality of life for all. Joining the TPMA volunteer team is a chance to do right by that example while also helping to build a better community of practice.
Connecting with the many members of our community remains very meaningful to me—and volunteering is an accelerated way to do that—but, lately, leveraging those connections to introduce members to one another has taken that experience to a whole other level. Additionally, I am grateful for the opportunity to help launch a bursary in honour of TPMA founder Alan Armstrong. That will be very meaningful to all of us, the community he founded in 2001, and our (as-yet determined) inaugural recipient this Fall.
You are always welcome to reach out and help us refine a core competency or experiment with a new way to deliver value for our membership. As everyone in product knows, delivering the results you want to see means supporting your team and being willing to lead the charge.
Elena is a product designer currently working at the TMU's Microcredential unit, designing educational products. She also creates virtual simulation games for educational institutions across Ontario. Her specialties include UX, UI, and 3D design. When not designing, she freelances as a DJ, studies, and volunteers extensively.
As a former small business owner, I recognize the importance of aligning product design with business strategy. This led me to explore the field of product management further, which inspired me to join TPMA’s volunteer team. TPMA offers an excellent platform to connect with the local product community.
Volunteering allows me to make a tangible impact on the growth of the product management community in Toronto. I've had the chance to work with talented individuals from diverse backgrounds.
My advice would be: don't hesitate! Volunteering at TPMA is a rewarding experience that offers numerous benefits, both personally and professionally. It's a chance to give back to your community, learn from others, and expand your network.
Toronto Product Management Association (TPMA) is a community focused on development, growth and networking of Product professionals in the Greater Toronto Area.
