About

I'm Heather Brinkhaus.

I've spent a decade turning ambiguous problems into products people actually use.

The Professional

I’ve spent the past 20+ years building digital products, with the last decade focused on scaling e-commerce and mobile ordering experiences that customers actually want to use. At Caribou Coffee, I led mobile ordering from the ground up - growing it into a meaningful share of the business and shaping it into a core part of the customer experience. I’m especially drawn to complex problems that sit at the intersection of customer needs, business goals, and technical constraints.

My background in consulting still shows up in how I work today. I like bringing clarity to messy situations, aligning teams around the right problems, and turning ideas into products that deliver real results. Whether it’s driving personalization, building experimentation practices, or exploring how AI can enhance the experience, I focus on creating products that feel intuitive to customers and measurable to the business.

I also care deeply about the people side of product - mentoring PMs, building strong cross-functional partnerships, and creating teams that do their best work together.

Areas of expertise

  • Product Strategy
  • Leadership
  • Data-Driven Personalization
  • CX Intelligence
  • Analytics
  • AI-Enabled Product Development
  • A/B Testing
  • Rapid Iteration
  • UX Strategy
  • User Research
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Team Development
  • Vendor & Partner Management

The Person

When I’m not working, I’m usually dreaming about or planning my next getaway. I love traveling, reading, and anything that gets me outside - especially hiking, camping, or spending time on the water. Whether it’s a new destination or a familiar trail, I’m happiest exploring and unplugging.

I live in Minnesota with my husband, two kids, and Sunny, our Bernese Mountain Dog who brings equal parts chaos and charm to daily life. Between family adventures and quieter moments at home, I try to strike a balance between movement, curiosity, and just enjoying where I am.