From Neuroscience to Product Management: Transforming Expertise into Leadership and Innovation
Some career paths are mapped out step by step; others shape themselves through unexpected twists and turns. For Nina, now Tribe Lead for Customer & Developer Experience at Signicat, it’s been the latter—a dynamic, self-driven story fuelled by curiosity, passion, and determination. Here’s how it all came together.
–“Be very selective with your negativity, because it has a cost for everyone around you.”
From a Global Childhood to Calling Oslo Home
Growing up, Nina had anything but an ordinary childhood. Born in the U.S. and raised between Norway and South Korea, her early years were spent skipping across borders and cultures. “It was definitely a pretty ‘busy’ childhood,” she recalls, laughing about how all those moves shaped her perspective. Thirteen years later, Oslo has become the place she proudly calls home, serving as a stable backdrop to her latest adventures.
–“I eventually realised that I wanted something where I could have a more immediate impact on the world.”
From Lab Coats to Login Screens
Not every career plan sticks, and that’s okay. When Nina set out to pursue a Master’s in Neuroscience, her sights were firmly set on becoming a researcher. But as with many journeys, clarity arrived along the way. “I eventually realised that I wanted something where I could have a more immediate impact on the world,” she shares.
That realisation sparked a pivot, leading to a career in technology, data privacy, and—unexpectedly—a deep love for 'wallet ecosystems.' It wasn’t an obvious shift. Instead, it unfolded naturally as she worked as a consultant specialising in privacy. Diving into how technology could empower individuals to own their data, Nina discovered an area of work that sparked both curiosity and action. “I became very passionate about being able to control my own data, and how technology could support that,” she explains.
Her advocacy didn’t stop at professional projects; she also collaborated with civil society groups and even launched one herself to champion privacy rights. These efforts ultimately connected her to Signicat in a way that felt right.
–"I was pretty determined to work at Signicat, since Signicat seemed out of all Norwegian organisations to be the best placed to participate in the wallet ecosystem."
“Why Signicat? For Me, It Felt Intuitive.”
When the opportunity to join Signicat arose, Nina didn’t hesitate—especially after a series of conversations at tech networking events made an impression. "I was pretty determined to work at Signicat, since Signicat seemed out of all Norwegian organisations to be the best placed to participate in the wallet ecosystem," she shares confidently.
She joined, dove into exciting new challenges, and over time, she grew into a leadership role. Looking back, it’s easy to see how her focus on purpose guided her choices—and how those choices ultimately paid off.
–"In CDX, it is our privilege, but also our burden perhaps, to act as a watchdog for many other teams, to point out if something isn’t working, and suggest changes. I’m very lucky to work with very competent people, who are observant, patient, structured, and have creative solutions."
The Excitement (and Responsibility) of Leading a Tribe
For Nina, the role of Tribe Lead represents both an adventure and a balancing act. Her team handles the vital “front door” to Signicat, managing key platforms like the Dashboard, Documentation site, Demo platform, and Marketplace. “We focus on the overall customer experience—drawing people in, showcasing our products, and onboarding customers,” she explains.
But being a Tribe Lead is not all structure and routine. It’s about spotting issues across the organisation and solving them collaboratively. "It is our privilege, but also our burden perhaps, to act as watchdog for many other teams, to point out if something isn’t working, and suggest changes. I’m very lucky to work with very competent people, who are observant, patient, structured, and have creative solutions," she reflects.
Through daily problem-solving, the work remains dynamic and rewarding—but not without moments of challenge. Thankfully, Nina has embraced the lessons that come with leadership.
–“Many people are able to point out problems and criticise, but that is only the first step. Developing a solution and making others accept it is 99% of the battle. And also, kindness is very important.”
Key Lessons in Leadership
Over the years, two leadership mantras have stayed with Nina: selectivity and kindness. “Be very selective with your negativity, because it has a cost for everyone around you,” she advises. Some people are quick to point out a problem, but for Nina, that’s only half the battle. “Many people are able to point out problems and criticise, but that is only the first step. Developing a solution and making others accept it is 99% of the battle. Also, kindness is very important. These were lessons I had to learn, the hard way.”
It’s advice worth remembering—for aspiring leaders and teams alike.
Finding a Rhythm, at Work and at Play
Work isn’t everything. Nina makes room for hobbies as a way to recharge. Whether it’s organising social adventures like the “Let’s Eat Weird Food Together” office events (spoiler alert: surströmming and smalahove are on the menu) or scrolling through Instagram guilt-free, downtime keeps her balanced.
"Making Surströmming for the Oslo office. I am outside, my colleagues are inside protected from the stench by a layer of glass."
Strength training, gardening, carpentry, arts and crafts, and even skydiving also round out Nina’s personal life. “It’s important to do something fun and useless to avoid feeling trapped in a joyless existence focused only on work or self-improvement,” she shares—a piece of advice anyone can take to heart.
–“It’s important to do something fun and useless to avoid feeling trapped in a joyless existence focused only on work or self-improvement."
"I don’t usually skydive, but when I do I make sure to document it. If you zoom in on my face, you’ll see I was utterly terrified."