Oscar Ibars
Building systems where AI amplifies human judgment
After 15 years leading transformation at ADP, Kaiser, Optum, and beyond, I've learned that the best AI disappears into the background—amplifying human decisions, not replacing them.
What I Believe
On AI
AI shouldn't be a black box that mystifies—it should be a transparent tool that amplifies. I build systems where humans stay in the loop, not locked out.
On Healthcare
Healthcare UX is life-critical. Every friction point has a patient cost. I design for the stakes, not just the screens.
On Transformation
The hardest part of digital transformation isn't the technology—it's earning the trust to use it. I lead with outcomes, not features.
The Backstory
From enterprise transformations to AI platform building—a journey of learning what works.
After 15 years leading technology initiatives across healthcare, travel, and financial services, I've learned that the best systems are the ones users don't have to think about. My expertise spans from enterprise environments like ADP, MasterCard, and Kaiser Permanente to founding Product Leader Academy—an AI-powered EdTech platform serving 1,000+ members.
I combine strategic vision with hands-on technical execution, having built production AI systems including multi-model integration (35+ LLMs), intelligent automation pipelines, and cross-platform mobile applications. My approach focuses on measurable business outcomes: $50M+ in product value delivered, 90% defect reduction, and significant engagement growth across every initiative.
AI should amplify human judgment, not replace it. I build systems where humans stay in the loop—transparent tools that make better decisions possible.
Scale isn't about more features—it's about fewer friction points. I've led transformations at ADP, Kaiser, and Optum by focusing on what users actually need.
Mobile is where users live. Native or cross-platform, the question isn't which technology—it's which experience gets out of the way fastest.
Customer experience is retention in disguise. Every engagement metric I've improved (52% lift, 12% retention, 7% ARPU) came from removing barriers, not adding features.
Professional Experience
A track record of success across enterprise and consulting environments.
Symplast
Head of Product
2024 - Present
Lead product strategy, UX design team, and AI integrations for a specialty EHR platform serving plastic surgery and medspa clinics nationwide. Directed migration from native iOS/Android to React Native hybrid framework. Oversee P&L for product-led growth initiatives supporting sales, marketing, and CX retention for top-tier aesthetic medical practices.
Key insight: Healthcare UX is life-critical—every friction point has a patient cost.
Product Leader Academy
Founder & Principal Engineer
2024 - Present
Built a full-scale AI-powered EdTech platform from concept to production, featuring an AI Coach with multi-tier memory systems, 35+ LLM integrations, intelligent content generation pipelines, and a complete community platform. Deployed 433 lessons, grew community to 1,000+ members, and created monetized SaaS products including a recruiter portal and resume optimizer.
Key insight: The best AI coach is one you forget is artificial.
Truckstop
Director, Mobile Platform
2023 - 2025
Designed and launched an AI-powered load matching system that improved recommendation accuracy by 35%, leading to a 22% increase in user engagement, 15% reduction in churn, and 18% decrease in empty miles; drove 12% growth in active carrier users within six months. Led international product expansion into the Spanish-speaking market, managing end-to-end localization, go-to-market strategy, outbound sales campaigns, and customer experience support.
Key insight: Marketplaces die without trust—AI can build or break it.
PwC
Senior Product Manager — HealthTech Practice
2015 - 2023
Led digital health transformation engagements for major health systems. At Kaiser Permanente, designed HIPAA-compliant in-app messaging reducing physician response times by 40% and developed AI-driven triage improving care coordination by 20%. At UHG-Optum, served as strategic advisor for the Mobile Center of Excellence, architecting consolidation of 12+ apps into a flagship Optum mobile platform. Redesigned UI/UX for a consumer healthcare app with 3M+ monthly active users.
Key insight: 3M users taught me that accessibility is not optional—and patient trust is earned through transparency.
ADP
Sr. Product Manager
2018 - 2021
Led AWS SaaS platform build for ADP's $3.2B health benefits business, integrating 32 healthcare carriers and 2 brokers. Revolutionized benefits selection with AI-powered personalization tools, achieving 30% increase in enrollment completion and 40% faster decision-making. Developed vision AI and RPA solutions for data auditing, supporting $50M in projected product value.
Key insight: $50M in value starts with one question—what would the user actually want?
Spirit Airlines
Product Advisor
2019 - 2021
Advisory engagement driving mobile engagement and monetization growth. Launched MyTrips feature (+12% retention, +7% ARPU) and implemented mobile defect scoring framework reducing production defects by 90%.
Key insight: Quality governance isn't bureaucracy—it's the foundation of user trust.
Open English
Product Advisor
2015 - 2019
Advisory engagement for language learning SaaS platform. Led B2B segment growth to $3M+ annual revenue, achieving 86% course completion rate. Spearheaded Salesforce Cloud transformation with DocuSign API integration, delivering 17% revenue growth.
Key insight: 86% completion came from listening, not launching.
Mastercard
Program Manager
2010 - 2015
Developed revenue forecasting and Tableau analytics across 44 countries in LATAM, enhancing financial decision-making. Implemented Quality Improvement Framework and PM SaaS platform, boosting project delivery speed by 43% while enabling contactless payment innovations and advanced security features.
Key insight: 44 countries taught me that local nuance beats global standardization.
Ventures & Tools
Active projects and platforms I'm building—proof that I still ship, not just advise.
AI-powered platform for PTs—automates note transcription, gamifies patient adherence, and keeps the entire care team informed throughout the recovery journey.
halopt.com →The anti-tracker fitness tracker that uses chat-based AI to bridge better fitness and diet aherence than traditional tracking apps.
In developmentThe GitHub for product managers and builders to showcase their work and get feedback from the community.
foliohub.pro →Reverse-engineers production code into Figma designs—perfect for legacy projects and vibe-coded solutions that skipped the design phase.
In developmentSynthetic user testing to validate your build before launch—catch UX issues and validate problem-solution fit without needing real users yet.
In developmentAI-powered career coach for aspiring PMs—433 lessons, 1,000+ members, multi-LLM coaching architecture to build skills and grow careers.
See in Experience →Trusted by leaders at
What Colleagues Say
Recommendations from leaders I've worked with across organizations.
"Oscar is a thoughtful, strategic, and execution-driven product leader who played a key role in transforming Truckstop's mobile experience into a high-value e-commerce platform. His ability to align product strategy with business growth and drive cross-functional success makes him an invaluable asset to any team."
SaaS Product Leader, Platform Specialist
"Oscar is an incredible product leader and an equally great team leader. He led a number of efforts for Spirit within the mobile app space, including localization, accessibility, and personalization. His ability to break down problems into actionable steps empowers his team with confidence. Oscar might have the most impressive executive communication skills I have seen."
User-Centric. Mobile First.
"Working with Oscar as a Product Manager was a standout experience. Unlike many PMs, Oscar has a strong grasp of technical concepts and strikes a rare balance between engineering, architecture, and user experience. His leadership created an environment where both product and engineering thrived."
Software Engineering Manager
"I worked closely with Oscar on a number of initiatives, and relied on him to bring energy, passion and vision to a range of the challenges and opportunities created by our growth. He is a relentlessly entrepreneurial thinker who brings intensive focus resulting in great outcomes."
Product @ Deluxe | AI & Fintech Leader
"Oscar was able to establish deep trust and relationship with the team and key stakeholders in a very short time. He is highly organized with a sharp focus towards customer experience—highlighted in all aspects of his work whether wire-framing with UX, architectural approach with engineering, or shaping product vision with business leaders."
Cloud Transformation | AI/ML Solutions
"Working with Oscar Ibars was an inspiring experience. His mobile-first innovation strategy and seamless platform coordination accelerated value delivery for carriers. His creativity in Spanish localization ensured high-quality experiences on time, despite backend constraints. He's a visionary product leader who turns ideas into impact."
Principal Product Manager @ Truckstop
Perspectives
Weekly insights on AI, product strategy, and digital transformation.
SwiftRecap Newsletter
Weekly analysis of AI trends, product strategy, and leadership lessons from the trenches.
Subscribe on LinkedIn →Medium Archive
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Read on Medium →X / Twitter
Daily thoughts on AI, product, and the intersection of technology and human judgment.
Follow on X →Case Studies
Explore some of my most impactful mobile app projects and their outcomes.
Mobile Maturity Model Implementation
Optum
Contributed to the Mobile Center of Excellence at Optum by developing Mobile Maturity Model standards and frameworks that established quality and experience baselines across the organization.
Challenge
Optum had dozens of separate mobile applications with inconsistent quality standards, user experiences, and development practices. Each business unit operated independently with different priorities.
Solution
Implemented best practices for A/B testing, feature flagging, accessibility, and localization. Led change management initiatives using tools like Branch.io, Launch Darkly, and Adobe Analytics to track and improve app lifecycle performance.
Results
- 52% increase in user engagement across key applications
- 35% improvement in development efficiency
- 40% reduction in quality issues
- 95% WCAG 2.1 AA compliance for accessibility
Freight Marketplace Platform
Truckstop
Developed a mobile marketplace platform connecting freight carriers with shippers, implementing sophisticated matching algorithms and location-based search functionality.
Challenge
The freight industry relied heavily on manual processes and phone calls to match carriers with available loads, creating inefficiencies and missed opportunities for both parties.
Solution
Created a mobile-first marketplace platform with real-time load matching, location-based search, and pricing transparency. Implemented features for saved locations, recent searches, and direct communication between carriers and shippers.
Results
- 35% improvement in AI-powered recommendation accuracy
- 22% increase in user engagement
- 18% reduction in empty miles for carriers
- 12% growth in active carrier users
Language Learning Platform
Open English
Led the development of a mobile language learning platform featuring live classes with native teachers, gamified learning paths, and personalized content.
Challenge
Traditional language learning apps lacked the human connection of live instruction, while in-person classes were inconvenient and inflexible for busy professionals.
Solution
Developed a hybrid platform combining on-demand lessons with scheduled live classes taught by native speakers. Implemented gamification elements like leagues, challenges, and achievement tracking to increase engagement and retention.
Results
- 200% increase in daily active users
- 65% improvement in user retention
- 4.8/5 average rating for live classes
- 32% higher completion rate compared to self-paced learning only
International Expansion & Vacation Bundling
Spirit Airlines
Led the revamp of Spirit Airlines' purchase experience for Spanish and international audiences, implementing localization efforts across the mobile app. Integrated the MyTrips experience with Expedia to enable bundled vacation purchases.
Challenge
Spirit Airlines needed to expand its international reach and increase revenue through vacation bundling, but their mobile app lacked proper localization and integration with third-party travel services.
Solution
Implemented comprehensive localization for Spanish-speaking markets and integrated with Expedia's API to enable bundled purchases of flights, hotels, car rentals, and destination excursions in a single transaction.
Results
- International bookings increased by 38%
- Generated $12M in vacation bundle revenue in the first year
- 92% satisfaction rating from Spanish-speaking users
- 25% increase in average order value through bundling
AI-Powered EdTech Platform
Product Leader Academy
Built a full-scale AI-powered EdTech platform from concept to production, featuring an AI Coach with multi-tier memory systems, 35+ LLM integrations, and intelligent content generation pipelines.
Challenge
Create a comprehensive PM training platform with personalized AI coaching, automated content generation, and community features—without relying on third-party community platforms.
Solution
Designed and built a complete platform with three-tier agent memory, multi-model LLM integration, pgvector embeddings for semantic retrieval, and intelligent automation for blog, social media, and personalized coaching.
Results
- 35+ AI models integrated with cost optimization
- 433 lessons deployed (100% curriculum coverage)
- 1,000+ community members
- 60-70% reduction in AI errors via Chain of Verification
AI Platform Architecture
35+
AI Models
433
Lessons
1,000+
Members
770+
Lines Memory Code
How I Think About...
Strategic perspectives shaped by 15+ years building AI systems, mobile platforms, and enterprise solutions.
- Multi-model LLM integration (35+ models)
- AI agent memory systems & embeddings
- Intelligent automation pipelines
- Predictive analytics & personalization
- Platform engineering at scale
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Process optimization & quality governance
- P&L accountability & vendor management
- Native iOS/Android & React Native
- Progressive Web Apps (PWA)
- Mobile platform consolidation
- Mobile DevOps & quality frameworks
- Customer journey mapping
- Retention & engagement optimization
- A/B testing & experimentation
- Accessibility & inclusive design
- Two-sided marketplace design
- AI-powered matching algorithms
- Supply & demand balancing
- Monetization & pricing strategy
- Legacy system modernization
- Cloud migration & SaaS platforms
- Change management & adoption
- International expansion & localization
Let's Connect
Open to executive advisory, board roles, and strategic consulting opportunities.
I'm available for strategic advisory roles, board positions, executive consulting, and speaking engagements. Let's discuss how I can help drive your organization's digital transformation, AI strategy, or mobile platform initiatives.
Engagement Types:
Strategic Advisory
Digital transformation, AI strategy, platform engineering leadership
Board & Advisory Roles
Technology strategy, product governance, growth optimization
Executive Consulting
AI & automation strategy, mobile transformation, operations excellence
Speaking Engagements
AI in product, mobile strategy, digital transformation leadership