Member Spotlight: James Rizzo

Say hello to our latest member spotlight, James Rizzo. He leads product management for Lyft Concierge, an enterprise product that allows companies to request Lyft rides for their customers, employees, patients, and more. James is responsible for communicating a clear vision and strategy, interpreting customer and product feedback, and creating a strong cohesion amongst cross-functional teams. He’s also an avid hip-hop fan.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I grew up in Burbank, CA, where most of the entertainment industry is headquartered. Warner Bros, Disney Studios, Nickelodeon, and ABC were all a short bike ride from my house. My mom was a violinist in the studios (Titanic, Star Wars, Schindler’s List) and my dad was a composer and guitarist (The Tonight Show, In Living Color, The Wayans Brothers). Growing up, I wanted to be a pilot or a lawyer. I got my pilot’s license when I was 17 and studied political science/pre-law in undergrad. But then I decided to pursue a different direction in tech, which led to a full-time role in operations and strategy and eventually a lateral move into product management. That said, I’m still an active private pilot and really enjoy flying.

What inspires you the most being a part of Lyft Healthcare?

I love solving difficult problems alongside smart and passionate people. Every day I’m inspired—and fulfilled.

What’s your favorite part about your job?

I like learning how things work. In my current role as a product manager, there’s unlimited potential to learn. From diving deep on Lyft’s technical architecture to learning how our customers operate to understanding our unique regulatory constraints, there’s a lot of worthwhile stuff to dive into.

Tell us something most people would be surprised to learn about you.

I’m a huge hip-hop fan. My favorite albums include Graduation (Kanye West), good kid, m.A.A.d city (Kendrick Lamar), Call Me If You Get Lost (Tyler, the Creator), and many more.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Many pre-existing molds, boxes, and categories are arbitrary. No one should feel the need to fit neatly into one to be successful.