Warwick MBA - focus: Strategy, Finance, IT, Data & Analytics
candidate AI Product Manager with OpenAI certification
SAFe Product Owner / Product Manager, Behavioural Practitioner
Professional Scrum Master
Lecturer for Innovation Management / Adult Educator (SVEB1)

Michael Hänni

Product leader at the intersection of digital transformation, AI, data, and delightful execution
Motivation: I'm driven by turning challenges into opportunities through innovative technology solutions.
→ AI Projects
Mission: Generating edge-giving insights about markets, customers, and technology possibilities, then transforming them into impactful and delightful services, channels, and experiences.
USP: Holistic product risk management, guiding companies through strategic advising and end-to-end execution across customer, technology, and business domains.
Awareness: The aim is to create the conditions for good ideas to emerge.
Connect on LinkedIn
Turning challenges into opportunities
through innovative technology solutions
What is the one thing that matter most to you?
I'm a hands-on product/project leader, business analyst and lecturer for innovation management with deep experience in digital transformation, applied AI, and data value creation, based on human centered design, innovation, and data-driven product development.
What defines my work is making advanced technology impactful and delightful—for customers, for organizations, and at scale. Teams I was part of won 11 awards over 7 years.
I lead cross-functional teams with field expertise, methodological knowhow, energy, and empathy. From strategy, discovery, delivery to GTM and lifecycle.
Comfortable in both leadership and individual contributor roles, with more than a decade of digital transformation experience.
The aim is to create the conditions for good ideas to emerge.
Operating at the intersection of technology, complex regulation, and commercialisation is exactly where I create the most value. Whether it's modernizing legacy platforms, embedding AI into customer-facing products and integrating seamlessly with existing systems, or aligning cross-functional teams around shared outcomes, I bring strategic clarity, pragmatism, and a relentless focus on delivery.
Experienced and adept in corporate, SMB, and startup environment.
Product strategy and execution:
Running marathons in life and business
My USP: Expertise in holistic product risk management, guiding companies through strategic advising and end-to-end execution across three key domains below. Combined with an obsession for customers and execution, for an extraordinary start and finish.
Usability: Connect the solutions on the roadmap to the customers' needs? Identify problems worth solving. Ask "why".
Feasibility: Can our engineers build what we need with the time, skills, and technology we have?
Viability: Can we cost-effectively acquire and monetize customers? Is it aligned with sales, marketing, finance, legal?
Product sense.
Customer obsession
Behavourial practitioner
Execution obsession
Impact
Received awards
Behavioral science and artifical intelligence underpin every aspect of a great product strategy.
ML & AI Projects, since 2017
Developing expertise in applied ML & AI since 2017. Strong understanding of AI concepts and which AI tool to use for which use case. It is essential to recognize the opportunities of Applied AI as well as the resistance against it, and to adapt to it. Profoundly address resistance from users, legacy systems and institutional structures.
Milestone AI projects:
  • Going to production: Improved client search for a large Swiss bank using Elasticsearch with GenAI features delivering more accurate, faster, and scalable results (June 2025).
  • In production: Co-built a RAG system and knowledge graph for product info, empowering finance customer care advisors with instant, fact-based responses (2023).
  • In production: Collaborated with the Head of Business Analytics at Viseca and the Head of AI at Contovista to create new insights section ‘Analytics & Spending Target’ for card payment transactions in ‘one App’ (2020).
Continous AI work and education (in chronological order):
  • Hosting a webinar: Hands-on Vibe Coding for Product Managers, at online conference AIPMX.com (February 2026)
  • Created various automation workflows with Windsurf, n8n.io and MCP server connecting different tools (2025), e.g. turning Pinterest boards into an automated Linkedin carousel pipeline (2026).
  • Solving web/app issues with Windsurf, Cursor and Claude Code (checking out new tools) (2025).
  • Vibe-coding prototypes with Lovable and Bolt (2025).
  • Earned the EPAM GenAI Foundation certification as part of the first batch of Product Managers at EPAM (globally 150k employees). This is an EPAM internal programme with hands-on experts as tutors and shows how EPAM is prioritizing (Gen)AI adoption at scale (June 2024).
  • Worked on advancing the reservation engine of a global online travel agency using prompt-only approach (probabilistic vs. deterministic) in a multi-agent architecture (2024).
  • Early and intensive user of MS Copilot or other internal Copilots in EPAM and in a large Bank (since 2023). Adept with MS Copilot enablement preparations with tenant readiness check, Microsoft Entra ID (identities, roles, conditional access), access & authorization concept, Microsoft Purview and data classification (sensitivity labels).
  • Created the ‘Left to spend’ and ‘Insights’ functions for Finnova's mobile banking app as part of the Contovista team (machine learning algorithms on payment transactions, 2021).
  • Launch of automated categorization of card payment transactions in ‘one App’ of Viseca, based on machine learning (2017).
The key question becomes: When can an AI system act on its own and when must it stop?
What to expect when working with me
Clear strategy in complex situations
I cut through ambiguity to identify what matters most. My approach brings structure to complexity, enabling teams and stakeholders to align quickly on priorities and move forward with confidence.
Strong bias toward execution and learning
I believe in shipping early and learning fast. Perfect is the enemy of progress—I prioritize rapid iteration, validated learning, and continuous improvement over prolonged planning cycles.
Calm, pragmatic collaboration
I collaborate with composure and realism, especially under pressure. My working and leadership style emphasizes transparency, empowerment, and sustainable pace, creating environments where teams can do their best work.
Focus on outcomes, not buzzwords
I measure success by impact, not activity. My communication is direct and jargon-free, focusing on what we're trying to achieve, why it matters, and how we'll know we've succeeded.
What I stand for
Loving the problem and generating insights
I approach digital transformation and AI as product problems. That means starting from customer and business needs, using data and analytics to guide decisions, and shipping, learning, and improving continuously.
  • Customer-centric problem solving
  • Data-informed decision making
  • Iterative delivery and optimization
Impactful and delightful services, channels, and experiences
I'm comfortable working where many AI initiatives fail: large organizations with legacy systems, regulation, and multiple stakeholders. I know how to translate strategy into delivery, align business, tech, and design, and move initiatives from concept to production.
  • Enterprise-grade delivery
  • Cross-functional alignment
  • Regulatory compliance integration
Product sense: Making AI practical
AI only creates value when it is embedded into products, workflows, and decisions. I focus on applied AI and GenAI use cases that integrate into existing products and platforms, delivering clear outcomes instead of vague innovation narratives.
  • Real-world AI implementation
  • GenAI for knowledge and decision support
  • Integration with production systems
Where I bring the most value
My expertise spans the critical areas where AI meets product execution and organizational transformation. I excel in environments that demand both strategic vision and hands-on delivery, where technology must serve real business needs and scale across complex enterprise landscapes.
1
Builder at heart, delivering at scale
I provide end-to-end product ownership and cross-functional team leadership, while being familiar with enterprise and start-up environments. My approach emphasizes stakeholder alignment, clear accountability, and measurable outcomes, ensuring product initiatives deliver value across complex organizational structures.
  • Strategic roadmap development
  • Team building and mentorship
  • Executive stakeholder management
  • OKR framework implementation
2
Digital transformation & platforms
I lead platform modernization initiatives that evolve businesses without disrupting operations. My approach balances innovation with stability, transforming standalone solutions into integrated platforms while maintaining business continuity and managing risk effectively across enterprise environments.
  • Legacy system modernization
  • Platform architecture strategy
  • API-first product design
  • Migration and integration planning
3
AI-enabled digital products
I design and deliver AI- and data-driven product strategies that turn emerging technologies into competitive advantages. My work includes implementing GenAI for knowledge management, search, and decision support systems, as well as embedding analytics as a core product capability that drives continuous improvement and customer value.
  • GenAI product integration
  • Predictive analytics implementation
  • Data product development
  • ML operations and deployment
Selected experience: Hypotheses and bets
Michael has worked on digital products and platforms across banking, fintech, telecommunications, and eCommerce consistently delivering solutions that balance innovation with operational excellence. His track record demonstrates an ability to scale products, modernize platforms, and apply emerging technologies in highly regulated, customer-facing environments.
1
Swiss Bankers
Led product strategy and execution for payment and card solutions serving direct customers and Switzerland's banking sector. Managed complex stakeholder ecosystems while delivering regulatory-compliant, customer-centric financial products.
2
EPAM Systems
Applied GenAI to enterprise knowledge management and business processes. Led an AI product initiative that transformed how the organization access, synthesize, and act on internal knowledge, improving decision-making speed and quality.
3
Viseca Payment Services
Co-led Switzerland's most-awarded und second most-downloaded finance app (2014 - 2023), scaling it from scratch to over 2 million users. Drove product strategy for digital payments and card management, overseeing end-to-end product development in a competitive fintech landscape. 11 awards for the team in 7 years.
4
Yoodle.me App, start-up founder
Led a team of six specialists in developing a location-based messaging app, originating from the MBA thesis of Michael on messaging apps.
5
Sunrise Communications
Early digital product leadership with full P&L responsibility. Built and scaled digital products in a rapidly evolving telecom market, establishing foundational product management practices and driving revenue growth through innovation.
6
Futurecom Interactive
Understanding eCommerce: Worked on 30+ websites and eCommerce campaigns for clients like ZKB, Microsoft, Sunrise. SPOC for online launch of GE Money Bank website in Switzerland. Won four awards at the Swiss Direct Marketing Prize
Full career details, recommendations, and additional context available on LinkedIn.
Beyond delivery
In addition to hands-on product leadership, Michael actively contributes to the broader technology and innovation ecosystem. His work extends beyond individual product delivery to shaping industry thinking, supporting emerging companies, and developing the next generation of product leaders.
Investor & startup advisor
Active member of SICTIC, Switzerland's leading angel investor network, focusing on fintech ventures. Provides strategic guidance to early-stage companies on product-market fit, scaling strategies, and navigating complex financial services landscapes.
Lecturer & continuous learner
Guest lecturer on product management, innovation strategy, AI applications, and behavioral economics. Translates complex technical concepts into actionable frameworks for diverse audiences across industry and academia.
Speaker
Regular conference speaker committed to staying at the forefront of technology, business model innovation, and user behavior research. Actively engages with AI, product development methodologies, and the psychology of technology adoption.
What I'm looking for
I'm interested in senior roles where AI, data, and digital products are core to the business—not peripheral initiatives. I thrive in environments that value both strategic thinking and hands-on execution, where product leadership directly influences company direction and competitive positioning.
Builder Role
Shaping product vision and strategy, building high-performing teams, and driving business analysis and end-to-end execution strategy, as Product Leader, Individual Contributer, Project/Program Leader in growth-stage or transforming companies.
Digital transformation
Product positions with real delivery responsibility in organizations modernizing their technology stack, product portfolio, or business model. I excel where complexity is high and execution discipline is critical to success.
AI-enabled product development
Roles focused on building and scaling AI-first or AI-enabled products. I'm particularly interested in opportunities where GenAI, machine learning, and advanced analytics are central to the product proposition and business model.

Ideal environment: Organizations in transformation that value human-centric design, embrace data-driven decisions, and commit long-term to leveraging AI for competitive advantage through disciplined, customer-centric innovation and execution.
Let's connect
Based in Zurich, Switzerland
I'm open to conversations about product leadership opportunities, AI-driven product development, and digital transformation initiatives where execution and impact matter.
Whether you're looking to hire for a senior product role, seeking advice on AI product strategy, or interested in collaboration opportunities, I welcome meaningful conversations about building products that make a difference.
This site reflects my professional focus and experience as of 2025. For the most current information, project details, and recommendations, please visit my LinkedIn profile.