HI NINA, CAN YOU TELL OUR READERS A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF?

Hi, I'm Nina! I'm a Product Owner at Essent. When I’m not in meetings or brainstorming with the team, you’ll probably find me moving...whether it’s playing hockey, joining a bootcamp session, or getting in a walking lunch or coffee break!

WHAT SPARKED YOUR INTEREST IN THE IT FIELD?

I’ve always been fascinated by the connection between business and IT, and how people make that bridge come alive. My first job was in consultancy, working on process mining. It didn’t exactly spark fireworks, but it did make me realise something: I’m a people person. That led me towards project management, and eventually, product ownership. These are all roles where collaboration and communication take center stage.

It’s been five years at Essent now. I started as an internal consultant in the Essent Business System, learning how the company is structured and advising teams. But after a while, I wanted to take ownership of something myself. That’s how I became a Product Owner—first for the chatbot and then as GenAI came up, expanding my scope with chatbot and GenAI with Agent Assist. Since July, I’ve taken on my current role as PO for the app team.

There have been a few colleagues at Essent who have helped me tremendously and whom I have learned a lot from in their approach and mindset.

HOW DID YOU END UP WORKING AT ESSENT?

I wanted to be part of a bigger company with a strong work and social culture. Essent stood out for exactly that reason...the people, the energy, and the sense of community are unmatched.

WHAT EXCITED YOU THE MOST ABOUT JOINING ESSENT?

One of the best parts of joining Essent was having the opportunity to learn and grow. There are so many experienced people here, and being able to get a sneak peek into different departments was a great way to understand the bigger picture of the company and the soul behind Essent.

COULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CURRENT ROLE AND YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES?

As Product Owner for the app team, my days are full of collaboration through daily stand-ups, team meetings, and aligning with stakeholders across projects and developments. It’s all about ensuring that we deliver maximum value for our customers through our app.

HAS YOUR ROLE EVOLVED SINCE YOU STARTED?

A lot! Our team is scaling up in individual ARTs (Agile Release Trains). In this process, we are onboarding one team from every ART on App development. Then they can focus on app development for their own ART. And we intend to become a platform team with a central focus. We have begun with the I Join ART. This shift has allowed us to scale and specialise, especially as the app becomes a central focus area.

CAN YOU HIGHLIGHT A SPECIFIC ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT YOU FEEL HAS BEEN PIVOTAL IN YOUR CAREER HERE?

Creating BOLT, our knowledge-based AI chatbot, was quite an accomplishment for our team. It started small and evolved into a major product that became the foundation for Agent Assist. Seeing it help customer agents so effectively, and even win an award, was an incredibly proud moment for us as a team.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CULTURE WITHIN YOUR TEAM OR DEPARTMENT?

It is definitely gezellig! We’re a nice, chatty bunch who strike the right balance between professionalism and fun. Everyone is genuinely supportive and willing to jump in when someone needs input or advice. It’s a team where people are not only committed to their work but also to each other. That’s what makes it such a positive and motivating environment to be part of.

WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU THINK ARE MOST IMPORTANT FOR SUCCESS IN YOUR ROLE?

Strong communication and stakeholder management skills are absolutely essential—not just for this role, but for thriving in a collaborative environment like Essent. As a Product Owner, you’re constantly bridging the gap between IT and business, translating complex technical details into clear goals and outcomes that everyone can rally behind. You need to listen actively, understand different perspectives, and find common ground. It’s a mix of empathy, clarity, and strategy. In the end, success often depends on how well you can connect people and keep everyone moving in the same direction.

WHAT ARE SOME KEY GOALS YOU HAVE FOR THE DEPARTMENT/ROLE FOR THE NEAR FUTURE?

Scaling the app team and moving toward an app-first strategy. The demand for the app is growing rapidly, and each ART will soon have its own app development team. Ultimately, we’re working toward having the app as a unified platform—a holistic, consistent experience for users.

WHAT PART OF YOUR JOB DO YOU FIND THE MOST REWARDING?

Working together toward a common goal is what truly energises me. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about seeing an idea evolve through teamwork, from the first brainstorming session to the final product that reaches our customers. Every time we launch a new feature or improve the user experience, and I hear positive feedback from both colleagues and customers, it’s a proud moment.

It reminds me that all the coordination, problem-solving, and alignment calls are worth it. Knowing that what we create genuinely helps people makes all the difference.

ARE THERE ANY HABITS OR ROUTINES YOU HAVE ESTABLISHED THAT CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR EFFECTIVENESS?

I’m big on continuous improvement. I like making things more efficient, streamlining recurring tasks and making way of working, so that everything runs smoothly. Zooming out to see how we can improve as a whole, rather than just focusing on my own tasks, really helps.

CAN YOU SHARE A FUN FACT ABOUT YOURSELF THAT NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW?

One of my passions is that I’m a bit of a travel addict! In fact, so far, I have visited 17 countries outside of Europe and I am keen on exploring a lot more of the world. My list of “next destinations” just keeps growing!

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF JUST STARTING OUT?

I would tell my younger self  to pay attention to the company culture, because that’s what shapes your day-to-day experience more than anything else. The right environment and team absolutely make all the difference.

When you find a team where you feel supported, challenged, and seen, it changes everything. In the end, it’s what makes work feel like home!

A heartfelt thanks to Nina for sharing her story and perspective with us!