Meet Heather (Nonnis) Pillay - Product Manager for aiEazyFuel®
Tell us about your journey with The ai Corporation and what made you choose to work in the product space?
I joined ai in October 2024 as aiEazyFuel® Product Manager. What truly drew me in was the intersection of user-centred design and AI-brilliant products, where human insight meets machine intelligence to create ethical, impactful products. I chose this field because it embodies innovation and aligns with my values: continuous learning, experimentation, and building innovative, future-ready solutions.
How has your team developed in your time at ai?
The team has undergone a meaningful transformation, both in terms of structure and approach to product delivery. One of my first initiatives was to embed Agile processes into our day-to-day operations—moving away from traditional delivery models toward a culture of iterative development, rapid feedback loops, and continuous improvement. A major focus was also on developing and validating end-to-end user journeys to ensure we were solving real problems in ways that felt intuitive and valuable to our users.
What does a typical day look like for you?
A typical day for me involves a balance between strategic planning, team collaboration, and hands-on problem-solving, internally and externally. I start by reviewing key metrics and progress updates to ensure we’re on track with our goals. Then, I attend daily stand-ups with cross-functional teams to align on priorities and address any blockers. Throughout the day, I collaborate closely with engineers, designers, and stakeholders to refine requirements, review user feedback, and make decisions that keep the product moving forward. I also dedicate time to roadmap planning, backlog prioritisation, and preparing presentations for leadership. No two days are the same, but staying flexible and focused on delivering value is always at the core.
What are the dynamics in your team?
Our team is globally distributed, with a strong mix of onshore and offshore members, enabling continuous delivery and diverse perspectives. We maintain a healthy gender balance and value cultural and professional diversity, which enhances collaboration, innovation, and inclusive decision-making. Clear communication, shared ownership, and agile practices underpin a high-performing, empowered, and customer-focused team.
How do you ensure you keep your training and knowledge up to date?
Regular training, attending conferences and constant research.
What is the best part about your job?
The best part of my job as a Product Manager is seeing an idea go from concept to reality, especially when it’s rooted in real user needs and delivers measurable impact. I enjoy being at the intersection of technology, design, and business, where I translate complex challenges into solutions that genuinely improve customer experiences.
How do you see the current state of gender representation in the tech industry, and what role do you personally play in supporting women in technology?
I believe we’re making progress, but there’s still work to do. Representation matters—not just in numbers, but in ensuring women have a voice in shaping the future of technology. I’ve made it a personal priority to mentor and support other women in the industry, helping to create environments where they can thrive, lead, and be recognised for their contributions.
What is your proudest moment at ai so far?
Delivering product features under tight deadlines was my proudest moment. Despite technical complexity and high delivery risk, we embedded agile practices, applied strong product frameworks, and aligned global teams. The successful launch was a testament to both the product impact and the team's growth.
What do you think of the culture at ai?
The culture at ai is collaborative, innovative, and fast-paced. It values diversity and fosters open communication, empowering teams to take ownership and experiment. There is a strong focus on continuous learning and agility, which enables us to adapt quickly and deliver impactful solutions together.
How would you describe ai in 3 words?
Diverse, Fun and Innovative.
What do you enjoy most about working for ai?
We have a great team of people who are dedicated to success.