David Vilf is a prime example of how adaptability, resilience, and a technical generalist skill set are becoming increasingly important in today's fast-paced, technology-driven job market. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and new products like ChatGPT, many industries are seeing a significant shift in the skills and knowledge required to succeed. After graduating with a degree in Chemistry from Imperial College London, one of the most prestigious universities globally, Vilf has successfully navigated several different roles and industries, showcasing his ability to adapt and learn quickly.
Vilf's early career began in the financial sector, working for Morgan Stanley in one of their most profitable business units. However, he quickly realized that his true passion was to build and work with those who create impactful technology products that improve millions of people's lives, so far specifically within fintech. From banking, he transitioned to Cytora, a fast-growing insurtech startup, where he pivoted his career to product management.
Eventually, Vilf discovered a passion for the digital identity and cybersecurity field and joined Onfido, a fast-growing scaleup and a market leader in this space. As Group Product Manager at Onfido, Vilf is currently responsible for the company's Data Verification Suite, and his work helps thousands of online businesses globally to be regulatory compliant when servicing existing and new markets. Onfido provides low-friction onboarding experiences to millions of end-users that want to access online services securely and safely.
One of the biggest challenges that Vilf has faced in his career is the rapid pace of technological change, though he also believes this to be a great opportunity. As an industry leader in the digital identity and cybersecurity field, he has seen firsthand how artificial intelligence (AI) and new products like ChatGPT are disrupting traditional business models and changing the skills and knowledge required to succeed.
Vilf believes that to stay relevant in today's job market, individuals must be adaptable and willing to learn and evolve constantly. Acquiring new skill sets is important, but beyond this, individuals must also develop a growth mindset, seeing change, challenges, and even failure as opportunities to develop. And it's not just about responding to change but also seeking it opportunistically. On a technical level, he is a firm believer in the power of machine learning and its impact on industries and is always looking for ways to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to new technologies.
In addition to his role at Onfido, Vilf is also deeply involved in the startup community, both as an angel investor and product mentor for several technology businesses. He believes that by supporting new and innovative ideas, he can help grow the technology ecosystem and create a positive impact on society.
David Vilf's experience in the technology industry has taught him that being a technical generalist can be the key to success in today's job market, though not to the exclusion of developing some specialist skills and expertise. By having diverse, high-quality skills and knowledge, individuals can be more versatile and adaptable to the rapidly changing landscape of technology.
His mindset aligns well with the values of many millennials, the majority of whom have high demands on their employers beyond salary and job security and now also demand purpose, impact, and great role models from whom to learn. This is why he is an active mentor and advisor to young startup founders, passing on his learnings and experience to help them succeed in the industry, and he maintains a close personal nexus to the newest and most exciting developments and ideas.
As a digital identity and cybersecurity leader, Vilf is also well-versed in identity fraud and enjoys sharing his insights and expertise with others in the field. He recently published this article on how to design smart and secure eKYC (=electronic Know Your Customer) products and was also featured on the payments show podcast, where he discusses the impact of digital identity products on online payments and e-commerce businesses.
Overall, David Vilf's story should inspire anyone looking to navigate the rapidly changing job market. His career success underlines the importance of developing an ability to adapt, learn quickly, and stay ahead of the curve regarding new technologies. He would encourage anyone seeking to pursue a similar trajectory to really acknowledge the potential of change to turn into stellar growth opportunities if approached with a dynamic yet focused mindset. David will be following the same strategy in all of his pursuits, both professional and private, and would be delighted to connect with anybody who shares his aspirations.
Media Contact
Company Name: Group Product Manager, Startup Mentor, and Angel Investor
Contact Person: David Vilf
Email: Send Email
Country: United Kingdom
Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidvilf/
