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Simona Turin
Product & Technology Executive, Board director
Professional Background
Simona Turin is a highly accomplished product and technology leader who has established a distinguished career spanning multiple industries and various organizational contexts, from agile start-ups to established large enterprises. With her extensive experience and a commitment to fostering innovation, Simona has consistently demonstrated her passion for identifying opportunities that not only solve genuine customer problems but also drive efficiencies and propel commercial success.
Throughout her career, Simona has excelled in a multitude of roles, showcasing her ability to break the mold and lead the development of game-changing products. Her innovative mindset allows her to foster creativity and inspiration within teams, ultimately delivering exceptional experiences that resonate deeply with customers. This approach has made her a catalyst for change in the organizations she has worked with, earning her respect as a forward-thinking leader.
Education and Achievements
Simona's educational background is another testament to her dedication to personal and professional growth. She has pursued various advanced studies to hone her leadership and technical skills:
- Senior Leadership at the Center for Creative Leadership: Through this program, Simona enhanced her leadership capabilities, equipping herself with the skills necessary to navigate complex organizational landscapes.
- Executive Education - Investments and Securities at The Wharton School: This prestigious program provided Simona with a solid grounding in the financial world, enhancing her ability to drive business decisions backed by strong financial acumen.
- MBA in Information Systems and Finance at Rutgers University: Simona’s MBA has armed her with the knowledge to merge technology and business, a crucial combination in today’s data-driven landscape.
- BA in Information Systems and Finance at Tel Aviv University: Her undergraduate studies laid the foundational knowledge that has supported her throughout her remarkable career.
Career Journey
Simona Turin's career path has seen her assume key leadership positions across prominent organizations, thereby garnering a wealth of experience and insights that she brings to her current role:
- Executive General Manager - Business Products at Xero: In her current role at Xero, Simona leads the charge in enhancing business products, capitalizing on her robust product management expertise to drive growth and user satisfaction.
- Non-Executive Director at Nomos One: Her strategic insights contributed to governance and performance oversight within the organization, allowing her to leverage her vast industry experience to aid decision-making processes.
- Executive General Manager, Customer Acquisition and Revenue Management at Xero: Before her current role, Simona's stewardship in customer acquisition strategies significantly boosted Xero’s market presence and revenue streams.
- General Manager, Digital Strategy, and Capabilities at Air New Zealand: Here, she was pivotal in steering digital innovations, elevating the overall customer experience and optimizing operational capabilities.
- Head of Software Delivery at Spark Ventures New Zealand: At Spark, Simona honed her focus on software delivery processes, enhancing team performance and product quality.
- Director WEX New Zealand / Country Manager at WEX Inc.: Simona's acumen in managing international platforms and delivering strategic initiatives contributed substantially to WEX’s market expansion efforts.
- Manager Technology Services at Tenzing Ltd: She played a crucial role in refining technology services, maximizing the synergy between technology and customer-centric solutions.
- Director, Web Technology at Depository Trust & Clearing Corp (DTCC): Simona’s expertise in web technologies enabled her to drive technological advancements and optimize web services, significantly benefiting the organization.
- Sr. Software Engineer/Architect and Sr. Financial Analyst at various firms: These early roles allowed Simona to build a strong technical foundation, which has been essential as she transitioned into leadership.
- Combat Unit Sergeant at Israel Defense Forces: Simona's leadership journey began in her service as a Combat Unit Sergeant, where she developed critical skills such as teamwork, resilience, and strategic thinking under pressure.
Achievements
Simona’s career is characterized by numerous accolades and accomplishments that highlight her commitment to excellence and customer-centric innovation. Her ability to lead high-stakes projects and create value-adding solutions has set her apart as a premier leader in her field. Some notable achievements include:
- Transforming product lines at Xero to fuel significant revenue growth and enhance market competitiveness.
- Developing customer acquisition strategies that have greatly improved customer retention rates and overall satisfaction.
- Spearheading digital transformation initiatives that have redefined customer experiences at Air New Zealand.
- Leading cross-functional teams to successfully deliver complex software projects, significantly improving delivery timelines and efficiency.
- Implementing strategic changes across WEX Inc. that resulted in enhanced platform capabilities and increased user engagement.
Simona's multifaceted background and transformative leadership style position her as a highly sought-after figure in the technology and product management landscape. Her passion for creating value through innovation, along with her extensive experience across diverse sectors, ensures that she will continue to make a significant impact on the organizations she serves.
Simona Turin embodies the spirit of modern leadership — adaptable, forward-thinking, and dedicated to excellence in delivering customer-centric solutions. Her career journey, marked by substantial achievements and an unwavering commitment to innovation, reflects her role as an influential leader in the industry.
