True Edge Tuesday with Angelo Kristo

When a major software issue surfaced just days before a planned release, Angelo didn’t panic—he pivoted.

Instead of relying on assumption-based debugging, he pushed the team to validate the problem through real-world testing, quickly organizing an Airbnb deployment to recreate the conditions consumers would face. That decision not only uncovered the root cause but also exposed critical gaps in traditional lab testing. From that turning point, Angelo pioneered a new approach to consumer validation—bringing prototypes into real homes to observe how they performed. By establishing in-home trials as a new standard, he transformed the way SharkNinja collects insights and ensures product quality.

 
But Angelo didn’t stop there. Even before officially transitioning into Product Development, he had already taken full ownership of both Consumer Insights and PD responsibilities, ensuring a seamless and impactful shift. His leadership sparked a cultural transformation within the App & Software teams, where he managed four concurrent programs and introduced the “gating until proven innocent” approach—ensuring every app release is backed by data and directly aligned with consumer needs. He championed a mindset of rapid iteration and real-time feedback, pushing teams to demo, test, and release faster, without waiting for unattainable perfection. Thanks to his influence, the App release team shifted from assumption-based decisions to a proof-first, insight-led approach that now defines how we build and launch software.

Angelo is known for bringing teams together and making even the most complex challenges approachable. He supports new team members with structure and encouragement, building a culture of trust and collaboration. Angelo doesn’t just solve problems—he transforms how we work together, spots issues before they escalate, and consistently pushes SharkNinja forward.