Holly Hester-Reilly is a seasoned product management expert, founder of Product Science Group, and host of the Product Science Podcast. With a unique background that spans over 17 years in product development, science, and coaching, Holly combines practical strategies with a deep commitment to fostering innovation in high-growth companies. As a former Columbia University research scientist, she draws from a blend of analytical rigor and real-world experience, guiding startups and established companies alike toward actionable growth.
Product Science Group, founded in 2017, is Holly’s response to a critical need she identified in the product management field: a structured, data-driven approach to high-growth product discovery and development. Through her consulting and coaching, Holly helps founders, product leaders, and their teams make informed, data-backed decisions and cultivate a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Her signature approach, the Product Science Method, is a framework designed to unlock the strongest opportunities for product growth, ensuring both strategy alignment and tangible market impact.
Throughout her career, Holly has led pivotal initiatives at high-growth and Fortune 500 companies, including FalconX, MediaMath, Shutterstock, Unilever, Fitch Solutions, Capital One, Novartis, and Weight Watchers. Her work with clients extends beyond product strategy to encompass company culture, operations, and talent development, ensuring that teams are not only meeting market demands but also thriving in an environment that supports sustainable success. Holly’s coaching integrates lean and agile methodologies with data science, emphasizing long-term vision combined with outcome-driven, small-step roadmaps.
Holly is also an adjunct professor at NYU Stern School of Business, where she teaches product management principles to the next generation of industry leaders. Her influence extends to public speaking and thought leadership, having presented at prominent events such as the Annual Women in Product Conference, Lean Startup Summit Europe, NY Product Conference, and INDUSTRY: The Product Conference. Her insights are rooted in real experience, and she frequently speaks on topics like continuous discovery, product leadership, and building high-growth teams.
In addition to her executive roles, Holly serves on advisory boards for startups like Octane11 and Ergatta, where her expertise in strategic product development and customer alignment continues to shape innovative product solutions. She brings a unique perspective on modern management, coaching leaders to support their teams as they navigate the complexities of product-market fit. Marty Cagan, a well-known product management thought leader, praised Holly’s expertise, noting her in-depth understanding of advanced product topics and commitment to excellence.
Holly’s professional journey is complemented by her academic background in chemical engineering from Columbia Engineering, where she earned both her BS and MS. She was actively involved in various leadership roles, including founding the Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Association. Her research contributions include a published study on imaging contrast in the Journal of Magnetic Resonance, underscoring her analytical skills and dedication to data-driven insights.
A strong advocate for work-life balance and women in technology, Holly balances her professional endeavors with personal passions. She has a background in competitive figure skating, continues to skate, and is an avid gamer who once developed her own strategy game. Holly’s dedication to the people behind products, as well as those using them, drives her mission to create high-impact, meaningful products that serve diverse audiences and industries.
Holly’s extensive expertise spans across product management, user experience, coaching, consulting, and strategic customer development. Her clients benefit from her insights on workflow management, engineering leadership, and agile web development. Known for her strengths in empathy, analysis, and strategic thinking, she continues to lead Product Science Group toward new opportunities for innovation and growth in sectors like B2B SaaS, FinTech, Health & Wellness, Ad Tech, E-commerce, and Ed Tech.
Character:
Holly embodies integrity, resilience, and a commitment to empowering teams and clients alike. She is dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment that balances innovative thinking with actionable, results-driven practices.
Knowledge:
With a scientific foundation and extensive experience, Holly brings a structured, data-informed approach to product management. Her expertise combines research with practical methodologies, offering clients a rigorous yet adaptable framework for achieving growth.
Strategic:
Holly’s approach centers on sustainable growth, guiding companies to align product vision with clear, measurable outcomes. She leverages agile and lean practices to help businesses scale effectively and unlock long-term market potential.
Communication:
Holly is a clear, engaging communicator, adept at breaking down complex concepts into accessible, actionable steps. Her empathetic coaching style ensures that product teams and leaders feel supported as they navigate challenges and build toward shared goals.
