Draft:Benjamin Soto

Benjamin Soto, known as Benji Soto, was born on born March 30, 1993. He is a Puerto Rican American product leader at Google, specializing in cloud platforms and AI products. Soto's career trajectory demonstrates a focus on technological innovation, social impact, and fostering growth within the tech industry. He is a prominent figure in AI-driven software development, sharing his expertise at conferences like Google Next, judging AI hackathons at MIT and Harvard, and mentoring aspiring product leaders. Soto has also organized non-profit events attended by notable figures, including New York State Senator Cathy Young and New York Assemblyman Andrew Goodell.

Early Life & Education

Benji Soto's journey began in Dunkirk, New York, a city experiencing economic challenges. His parents, Luz and Ismael Soto, emigrated from Puerto Rico to the United States in pursuit of opportunity. Soto's upbringing was marked by his family's financial constraints, which included reliance on government assistance and multiple employment.

Despite these circumstances, Soto excelled academically and displayed leadership potential. At Dunkirk High School, he actively participated in various extracurricular activities, demonstrating an early interest in media and communication. He co-founded the student-run "Marauder News Network," a television news program that aired across the Dunkirk City school district.

Soto continued his education at the State University of New York at Fredonia, seeking to broaden his horizons while remaining connected to his community. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, specializing in Management, and a second degree in Leadership Studies.

During his time at SUNY Fredonia, two programs significantly influenced Soto's leadership approach and commitment to social impact, the Educational Development Program at Fredonia and the Enactus program.

The Educational Development Program (EDP) provided support and a sense of community for students from underrepresented backgrounds. Soto attributes the program with equipping him to succeed in a university setting, and supporting him financially when he won the Ralph Wilson scholarship.

Additional, his early involvement in Enactus, an a social entrepreneurial organization focused on business skill development, kicked off his work in using entrepreneurial solutions to address societal and economic issues. As President of Enactus Fredonia, Soto led a large team in organizing impactful initiatives, garnering recognition from local and national figures.

Personal Life & Philanthropy

Beyond his professional endeavors in technology, Soto enjoys outdoor activities, fitness, and spending time with family. He maintains a personal interest in AI, experimenting with technologies like AI agents and Large Language Models (LLM) in his own projects.

Soto is committed to community engagement, influenced by his upbringing and involvement with Enactus Fredonia. He has played a significant role in organizing impactful events, such as "The Vine Experience," a fundraiser for the United Way of Northern Chautauqua County. The event fostered collaboration between local businesses and community members, attracting attention from government officials including New York State Senator Catharine Young and New York Assemblyman Andrew Goodell.

Soto's journey has included challenges related to navigating representation. A SUNY Fredonia university recruitment video he participated in sparked discussion about authenticity and the portrayal of diversity due to the use of a voiceover that differed from his own. During this time, Soto participated in a TV commercial which was aired during the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres half time shows, but due to community uproar, the commercial was taken down.

Career

Soto possesses a career in product management, marked by a progression through leadership roles at prominent technology companies. His experience spans over a decade, encompassing positions at Google, Wayfair, and Walmart Labs. He specializes in the intersection of cloud platforms and e-commerce, demonstrating expertise in a variety of technologies including Customer Relationship Managers (CRM), machine learning models, large language models and AI products.

Soto began his career at Walmart Labs, where he rapidly advanced within their technology project management team. He was recognized for his aptitude and dedication, leading to increasing responsibilities and exposure to product management. He later joined Google, where he currently serves as a product leader specializing in AI applications within software development. He is a prominent speaker at Google Next, a prominent cloud computing conference hosted by Alphabet, where he has delivered keynotes on the potential of AI tools like Gemini for streamlining application management and troubleshooting (Keynote Video) and the polarities of buy versus build in the world of observability (Keynote Video).

Publications

Beyond his technical expertise, Soto actively promotes knowledge sharing and a culture of learning within the product management community. He is a regular contributor to The Product Insider, a platform dedicated to elevating product management practices. His articles emphasize a practical and hands-on approach, providing insights and guidance for product managers at all levels. Some of his notable articles include: [4]

• Four Must-Haves When Launching a Start-up
• Why All Product Managers Should Master the Design Sprint
• How to Position Your Product Teams for Success and Speed
• 7 Learning Opportunities I Gained From Launching a Tech Startup
• The Art of Product Journaling: Investing in Your Product Management Career
• How to Break into Product and Work for Google

Soto is recognized for his willingness to share lessons learned throughout his career, coining the art of Product Journaling, offering valuable advice on entering the field of product management and navigating the interview process at major tech companies such as Google.

AI Hackathons

Soto's passion for AI extends beyond his professional work. He actively participates as a judge at AI hackathons at renowned institutions like MIT and Harvard. He sees these events as opportunities to nurture the next generation of AI innovators, providing guidance and feedback to students developing cutting-edge solutions. One such project he judged, and won first place at the event, "Enlight," aimed to empower visually impaired business owners through conversational data analytics, highlighting his commitment to leveraging technology for positive social impact.