Leading Product Through Different Stages of Growth

In this episode of Between Product and Partnerships, Cristina Flaschen speaks with Mike Gelber, Chief Product Officer at Impiricus, about his career path and the experiences that shaped his approach to product leadership in healthcare. Mike’s background spans finance, ad tech, and healthcare, and his move into product reflects a steady pull toward roles that combine technical depth with proximity to real users. Throughout the conversation, he shares how those experiences influenced the way he approaches product decisions, partnerships, and growth in a regulated environment.

From Finance to Product Thinking

Mike began his career at JP Morgan, where he quickly gravitated toward building tools that made work more efficient. Teaching himself to automate tasks introduced him to software development and revealed the leverage technology could provide. That curiosity led him into ad tech, where working closely with customers helped him connect system design with real usage. Over time, product became the natural intersection between building technology and understanding how people actually work.

Why Founding a Company Accelerated His Growth

Starting a company brought Mike closer to customers and everyday decision-making. Choices carried immediate consequences, which sharpened his sense of focus and sequencing. The experience also exposed him to areas of the business that are often distant from product roles, shaping a broader understanding of how products are built, sold, and sustained over time.

Lessons from Building and Exiting Lasso

Mike reflects on building Lasso and guiding it through growth before its acquisition by IQVIA. A defining lesson from that journey was the importance of validating demand early. Proving value through direct execution helped guide product direction and informed how he now thinks about product-market fit. That experience reinforced the importance of grounding decisions in real usage rather than assumptions.

Joining Impiricus

After the acquisition, Mike joined Impiricus as Chief Product Officer. He initially questioned whether SMS could be an effective channel in healthcare. Spending time with the product in real-world settings changed that perspective, particularly as he observed how clinicians interacted with it during day-to-day work. Those experiences helped clarify the product’s role in supporting healthcare providers.

Defining Success in Healthcare Product

Mike describes success at Impiricus through outcomes and experience. Pharmaceutical partners measure impact through prescribing behavior, while healthcare providers encounter fewer barriers when supporting patients. The most meaningful signals come from moments where the product quietly fits into existing workflows and reduces friction without drawing attention to itself.

Timing, Integration, and Relevance

The conversation returns often to timing. Mike explains how Impiricus uses data and integrations to engage healthcare providers when support is most relevant. This approach allows the product to fit naturally into clinical workflows, which is critical in environments where attention is limited.

Looking Ahead

Mike shares what’s next for Impiricus, including the launch of a new product called Ascend and continued momentum following recognition on Deloitte’s Fast 500 list. As the company grows, the focus remains on staying close to healthcare providers and maintaining the product principles that shaped its early success. Cristina closes the episode by reflecting on how Mike’s journey illustrates how product leadership evolves inside regulated industries.