Long-Form

Over the last 3,000 days in Google Cloud, I watched our cloud security group evolve from a scrappy outpost under the K8s org into a multi-billion-dollar engine for Google. We shifted from enabling cloud migration—where PRDs cited astronomical revenue unblocking figures—to driving revenue as a globally trusted security brand. We built that reputation through partnerships with Mandiant and Wiz, and by delivering GovCloud-level capability by default across GCP. Invisible security has helped enable Apple, among the most privacy and security sensitive organizations on the planet, to adopt Gemini for Siri.

Personally, it's been a journey from a goofy L5 IC to a podcasting Group Product Manager. For years, my mind was consumed by the ladder: which projects, lateral moves, or bets would move the needle for the jump to the next level. Today, that ambition sits firmly in the backseat to the arrival of my daughter and holding her on leave.

These days I am realizing I might, in fact, be cultural ballast rather than a source of organizational DNA CRISPR change. Steve Benting, I really meant that phrase as a compliment back in the day! Part of that cultural ballast job now is existing openly as a bisexual man in today’s environment.

My greatest joy, even more than hearing Sundar mention a product I launched during an earnings call, has been helping my friends and colleagues ladder transfer to PM and mentoring new PMs at Google. Just as meaningful have been the quiet 1:1s that come with that visibility—helping other bi men navigate what it means to be out at work and confidently bring their full selves without having to compartmentalize. Hearing promotion success stories, PM conversion wins, and comings-out at work is truly heartwarming, and I would not be where I am today without the support and mentorship of people who pushed me to be this version of myself.

The podcast has allowed me to scale that mentorship in ways I never anticipated. I’ve lost count of the folks I’ve met in hallways, cafes, and conferences who said the show helped them prepare for their Google interview or ease their pivot into security. Anton, thank you for nearly 300 episodes of pure joy.

I’ll be back at Google right at 8 years and 6 months. During the time away, I have welcomed my daughter to the world, learned how to fly tailwheel, and played way too much with Antigravity. I am looking forward to taking Cassidy to meet her family in Hainan and Cape Cod.

None of this would be possible without the mentorship and guidance of my many (too many?) wonderful managers and mentors over the years inside and outside of Google. So thank you to Allan Friedman, PhD, Marc Hansen, Shuman Ghosemajumder, Shreyas Doshi, Jess Leroy, Kathryn Shih, Vijay Ganti, Kurt Spoerer, Payal Chakravarty, Spencer Lichtenstein, Chris Corde, and of course Sunil Potti.

I suppose to really become part of the Borg collective I’ll switch my sentimental updates to base2. That means another reflection at 4096 days!