Product Leader & AI Strategist
Matthew McLaughlin
I help companies build smarter products by combining practical strategy with AI-powered execution.
Mission
About Me
I’m a Senior Product & Project Manager with over 23 years of leadership experience leading cross-functional teams, launching SaaS products, and driving innovation across AI, SaaS, education, and non-profits.I’m passionate about building products that matter — from AI-powered automation to tools that connect passionate communities. I’ve recently led the development of Astrobase, a platform for astronomy enthusiasts, and Thrift.IQ, a resale intelligence tool for secondhand shoppers. These were created fully with Ai tools and coding. I would love to share these in upcoming interviews and how Ai was utilized to dramatically speed up time to market, reduce development bottlenecks, and turn high-level ideas into working prototypes in days—not months.Whether it’s strategy, discovery, or scaling — I thrive at the intersection of vision and execution.
Vision
What I Do
🧠 Product Strategy & Vision⚙️ AI-Driven MVP Execution🧪 User Feedback & Iteration🛠 Cross-Functional Team Leadership📈 GTM & Growth-Driven Roadmaps
2025 to 2022
Randall Reilly
At Randall Reilly, I led strategic product initiatives within the transportation and recruiting technology space. I directed the development of enterprise-grade SaaS platforms that empowered Fortune 100 clients with actionable data, automated workflows, and scalable infrastructure.Highlights* Directed cross-functional teams across the U.S., India, and Latin America to deliver a high-impact recruiting product that supported a $3M annual contract.
* Spearheaded the integration of AI-powered job listing automation, increasing retention and engagement by 20%.
* Championed PLG experimentation and user feedback loops, driving product-market fit and roadmap clarity.https://randallreilly.com
2022 to 2021
Build Online
At Build Online, a B2B SaaS platform for the construction industry, I played a dual role leading both product strategy and agile project delivery. I bridged communication across stakeholders, developers, and end users to build intuitive, revenue-driving features.Highlights* Delivered key product updates that improved customer onboarding time by 40%.
* Implemented Agile workflows and sprint cadences to increase delivery speed by 25%.
* Translated complex client needs into clear user stories and feature requirements that aligned with business goals.https://www.buildonline.io
Proof of Concept #1
AstroBase
Astrobase is a web-based platform designed for astrophotography enthusiasts to upload, share, and explore deep-sky images. Built with AI-powered tools and community features, Astrobase simplifies the astrophotography workflow while fostering a vibrant space for learning and connection.Astrobase – POC Highlights
🚀 AI auto-naming + description of uploaded astro images
📸 Upload, explore, and comment on deep-sky photos
🌌 Plate-solving integration roadmap with celestial object ID
👥 Community-first features (likes, comments, profiles)
📚 Educational tools & future marketplace for gear
Proof of Concept #2
Thrift.IQ
ThriftIQ is a proof-of-concept web app designed for thrift store shoppers and resellers. It uses AI-powered image recognition to identify items and instantly display resale values across platforms like eBay, Poshmark, and Depop. Built to streamline decision-making at the point of discovery, ThriftIQ empowers users to buy smarter and resell faster.ThriftIQ – POC Highlights
🧠 AI-powered image recognition for thrift finds
💸 Resale value lookup across eBay, Poshmark, Depop
⚡ Instant item insights at point of discovery
🔍 Optimized for mobile, fast scanning in-store
📊 Future features: historical pricing, seller tools, alerts
Proof of Concept #3
GreatBenefitsGroup
GreatBenefitsGroup is a POC platform focused on modernizing the discovery and delivery of financial wellness tools — including life insurance, debt relief, and investment education. Built as a lead generation and client engagement hub, the site uses AI-driven automation to simplify product recommendations and streamline onboarding for both agents and clients.GBG – POC Highlights
📬 AI-assisted lead qualification and email workflows
📊 Insurance + finance education content system
🧠 Custom chatbot trained on product knowledge and FAQs
📅 Integrated scheduling and follow-up for agents
🛠 Built with PLG in mind to support scalable team onboarding
📈 Future roadmap: user dashboards, policy management tools
Proof of Concept #4
Shift.AI
Shift.AI is a concept site and service suite designed to help businesses harness practical AI without hiring a full-time team. The platform offers curated use cases, process automation strategies, and AI consulting tailored for operations, marketing, and customer service. Built for busy decision-makers, Shift.AI makes implementation as simple as “show and deploy.”Shift.AI – POC Highlights
⚙️ Personalized AI strategy generator for small teams
📝 Prompt and automation libraries for marketing + ops
📣 Client onboarding kit with embedded Loom walkthroughs
📦 Use-case templates for Notion, Zapier, GPT, and more
💬 AI chatbot integration for website & internal use
🔮 Future roadmap: client dashboard, ROI calculators, AI agent builder
Connect with Me
Let's Talk
I’m currently exploring product leadership roles that align with my passion for AI and impact-driven SaaS.* Let’s connect for a virtual coffee
* Download my Resume
* Reach me on LinkedIn
* Email me directly: [email protected]
* Check out my new startup -- www.shiftai.biz