Neural networks, robots, drones, and other marvels of modern civilization may seem commonplace today, but it’s important to remember that behind these incredible innovations are real individuals whose work deserves our utmost admiration and respect.
Valeriia Verkhovykh, a Master of Space Science and Engineering and a graduate of the Stanford Executive Program, stands out as an exceptional product leader. Her contributions have brought forth some of the most valuable innovations, with her analytical abilities, a unique creative approach to projects, and a deep-seated love and understanding of deep tech and science all playing significant roles in her success. Let’s explore her journey step by step.
Successful product leader
Valeriia Verkhovykh was born into a family where the pursuit of knowledge and science was held in the highest regard. Her grandfather, the renowned professor Boris Gelfand, made significant contributions to the field of chemical physics. Her father was deeply involved in the world of programming. It was hardly surprising when the young Valeriia, having devoured the entire home library of science fiction, chose to pursue a career in astrophysics.
Valeriia Verkhovykh’s first major project as a product leader took place at Dauria Aerospace, a global company specializing in satellite services, micro- and nanosatellite production, as well as the development of intermachine wireless communication technologies and Earth observation. These satellites played vital roles in monitoring vegetation for precision agriculture, traffic control, and tracking urban management dynamics.
Notable achievements
In collaboration with the transnational company Yandex, Valeriia Verkhovykh enhanced the widely-used Yandex Maps by creating a user recommendations and corrections system, significantly improving the accuracy and detail of maps. She contributed to was the Yandex Maps Editor, which allowed everyday individuals to contribute street photographs to the map, which resulted in 12% increase in edits among new users.
Valeriia Verkhovykh also played a significant role in the development of Yandex Auto, a platform supporting various Yandex services within automotive software in thousands of vehicles Russia, as well as 10,000 vehicles within the Yandex car-sharing system. This media info system provides people with an intelligent system for managing their vehicles, access to maps, information about gas stations, music, and voice assistants.
One of Valeriia Verkhovykh’s most ambitious and fascinating projects, according to her, was the launch of the world’s autonomous delivery robot, Yandex Self-Driving Group. Her work resulted in the development of a successful delivery system using autonomous robots that operated in the United States, Israel, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. Under her leadership, in collaboration with Grubhub, robotic parcel delivery systems have been deployed at universities in Ohio and Arizona, delivering hundreds of orders per day.
Another notable project in Valeriia Verkhovykh’s portfolio is Nimb Ring, which includes a danger alert feature. Initially designed with only one button, it evolved into a comprehensive alert system, capable of monitoring an individual’s well-being.
“As a business leader, I prioritize honesty and take a long-term perspective on the impact of the technology I develop, which will change the world. My belief in being truthful, transparent, and having a long-term perspective is rooted in my understanding that these values are critical for building strong relationships with people and leading sustainable innovation that will affect lives worldwide. For me, it’s not just a priority; it’s a moral responsibility,” Valeriia Verkhovykh says.
Her mindset is deeply rooted in her scientific education and her experience within the product development community. Honesty is a core value in her profession because errors can have serious consequences, even life-threatening ones. In today’s fast-paced business world, shortcuts and bending the truth for short-term gains can be tempting, but Valeriia Verkhovykh recognizes that honesty and transparency are essential for building trust in any successful relationship.
Future prospects and unique perspective
Today, Valeriia Verkhovykh resides and works in the United States. As part of the Oxygen team, she is involved in creating financial products that simplify and streamline money management for everyone.
Valeriia Verkhovykh also runs an educational project for graduate students. Her educational course on commercializing technological ideas imparts unique knowledge about developing commercial products based on advanced technology.
This article only scratches the surface of the fascinating projects Valeriia Verkhovykh is involved in. All of her goals as a successful product leader are exceptionally ambitious and deserving of our admiration.
Valeriia Verkhovykh has chosen to be a catalyst for innovation, and her project management expertise allows her to achieve new heights. Her dedication to integrating new devices and programs into people’s lives knows no bounds. Challenges only fuel her determination to pursue her dreams and attain success. We applaud her for this!
