Stu Heilsberg

The usual profile for me starts with something like “seasoned Business Development and Product Management executive, with experience in development and expansion of mobile products and services in the payments and healthcare markets in the United States, Europe and Asia”. In more simple english, though, I’m a guy that really enjoys focusing on end users (both consumer and business), understanding what they truly need, and getting new products and businesses started. And my passion is getting to know companies and teams, having them get to know me and the clients I work for, identifying our synergy, and then moving forward on something tangible.

I’ve learned that it’s important to make sure I identify why I do what I do. And that’s easy. About ten years ago after wrapping up a startup I got tired of guessing. It’s that simple. It so often felt illogical to me throughout my career that I’d create a business plan, sales pitch, or the like, and then go out and try to convince my target segments that I was right. The reality is that they know what serves them best. The trick is knowing how to ask the right questions, and more importantly, being willing to listen and accept what they tell me. So that’s it– I don’t like to guess, and I really enjoy engaging ecosystems to have them give me the answers.

I’ve created strategies for and developed businesses in mobile health, mobile commerce, indoor & outdoor LBS, mobile image recognition & search, mobile devices, and more. Along the way, I’ve been fortunate enough to develop and manage relationships with companies of all sizes, including Samsung, LG, Cisco, Wells Fargo, Verizon, Walmart, Target, Ceridian, Foxconn, Pfizer, HP, Bank of America, Merck, Novartis, and more. And some of my favorites have been early-stage and medium-sized companies.

I have an undergraduate degree from MIT in mechanical engineering and an MBA from The Kellogg Graduate School of Management. I believe these degrees, as well as the initial interest to get them, has been positioned me well to bridge the gap between technology and end users. I’ve done this when creating several businesses at Qualcomm, as well as Motorola, where I launched the StarTAC phone, and Intuit, where I managed the TurboTax product line. In 2013 I joined Medullan, a digital health innovation services firm. As a Partner at Medullan, I oversee all of our business with the pharma, biotech, medical device, mobile operator, and high tech clients. I currently do all of my work through Medullan. I am also fortunate to be able to speak at many higher education institutions, as well as mentor students at the undergraduate and graduate level on my approach and “not guessing.” This has led to engagements with Stanford University, as well as authoring the book The Answers Are Outside The Building.