About Me
I'm Ani Achugbue — a product leader and builder based in Portland, Oregon.
I started writing code in 1999 and never stopped building. Over 25 years I've gone from developer to VP of Product, working across government tech, consumer platforms at Nike, hospitality at Vacasa, and regulatory SaaS at Clariti. The thread through all of it: taking complex, regulated industries and making the technology work.
I'm also deep into my next chapter — building domain expertise in clean energy and connecting with the PNW solar and storage community. The energy transition needs people who can build product organizations, navigate regulatory complexity, and scale technology in industries where getting it right matters. That's what I've done my entire career. I do both: help companies today through OM76, and build toward what's next in clean energy.
The Arc
Developer Origins
Started as a software developer building billing and ERP systems for local government. Over 13 years, grew from writing code to leading teams — learning how complex, regulated software actually gets built.
Product Management
Transitioned into product at Tyler Technologies, then Nike Digital — where I managed global product launches and learned what it means to operate at scale.
Building From Zero
Hired as the first product person at two scaling companies (Vacasa, Opal). Built PM functions from scratch — hiring teams, establishing practices, creating clarity where there was none. Promoted to Director within months at Vacasa.
Scaling Regulated SaaS
VP of Product at Clariti, a regulatory compliance SaaS company. Led a 40+ person product and engineering organization with a $5.5M budget — took a niche product and built the strategy to make it a category leader.
Clean Energy
The energy transition needs people who can build product organizations, navigate regulatory complexity, and scale technology in industries where getting it right matters. That's what I've done my entire career. Now I'm bringing it to clean energy.
Thinking
Writing on leadership, product, and the energy transition
Aware, Able, Capable, Willing
An evaluation framework I developed for assessing people and teams. Four dimensions that matter more than credentials or resumes.
From SaaS to Solar
What a product leader sees when they look at the clean energy industry — and why the transition isn't as far as it seems.
What Permitting Software Taught Me About Energy
Regulatory complexity isn't a bug — it's the terrain. Lessons from building compliance technology that apply directly to clean energy.
Let's Talk
Whether you need product leadership, guidance on applying AI in your products, or want to connect about the clean energy space — I'd like to hear from you.
ani@om76.co