About Oğuz (Oz) Sarkut

Product Leader | Educator | Community Mentor

I’m a product leader with over 17 years of experience spanning software engineering, digital marketing, and product management. At Lowe’s, I lead GenAI and visual commerce initiatives, launching tools like Style Your Space, PDP Visualizers, and the Segment Builder to transform the customer experience.

My Journey

I began my career as a software engineer, building CRM and CMS platforms, e-commerce solutions, and internal systems for both startups and enterprise organizations. From setting up dedicated servers to leading large-scale website projects, I developed a solid technical foundation early on.

Later, I moved into digital marketing, leading SEO and growth strategies for Postmedia and Lowe’s Canada, where I managed complex migrations, taxonomy optimization, and performance analytics.

That path naturally evolved into product management, where I now bring together engineering, marketing, and UX to deliver impactful, user-centered products.

Educator & Adjunct Professor

I’ve taught at Sheridan, Ryerson, and Conestoga, designing and delivering courses on:

  • SEO and Analytics
  • CMS and Web Development
  • Marketing Data & Digital Strategy

Teaching allows me to share what I’ve learned, stay sharp, and connect with the next generation of builders.

Mentorship

Through Temet Nosce and internal coaching programs, I’ve mentored over 65 university students and new grads, helping them grow with clarity and confidence.

What I Value

  • Building products that solve real problems
  • Teaching and mentoring with empathy
  • Bridging strategy, tech, and design
  • Creating meaningful experiences at scale

Journey Through Time

Curiosity sparked the journey, but each chapter taught me something new about building with empathy, leading with clarity, and living with intention. This is the path that shaped who I am—from building systems to building people. A career shaped not just by skills, but by roles that taught me how to think, teach, and grow.

The Engineer
Engineering Ideas to Reality

The Marketer
Bridging Tech and People

The Mentor
Teaching What I Learned

The Father
The Role That Grounds It All

Where It All Began

  • 1996

Language & Adaptation
Spent a full year in English prep class, learning not just a language, but how to unlearn and adapt.

  • 1997

First Radio Transmitter
At 15, while attending Haydarpaşa Anadolu Technical High School, I built my first radio transmitter, sparking an early passion for electronics and communication.

  • 1998

First Programming Language
I started programming with Visual Basic, then quickly moved on to understanding Op Codes, diving deep into how computers truly operate.

  • 2000

Computer Science & Engineering
I enrolled in Computer Science and Engineering, formalizing what I had already begun to build on my own.

  • 2002

Logic Design Excellence
I aced Logic Design with Prof. Ahmet Dervisoglu (A+), deepening my foundation in digital systems.

  • 2006

Master s in Information Systems
I earned my Master’s in Information Systems Management, graduating magna cum laude and merging business insight with technical depth.

  • 2011

Temet Nosce Program
I launched ‘Temet Nosce,’ a mentorship program built to empower youth to explore, question, and grow, just like I had to.

  • 2017

Canadian University Consulting
I began consulting and organizing workshops for Canadian universities, offering hands-on learning experiences that actually connected.

  • 2018

SEO Lunch & Learn
I led my first ‘SEO Lunch & Learn’ workshop at Lowe’s where I translated technical know-how into strategy people could act on.

  • 2018-2022

Game-Based Learning
I embraced game-based learning strategies to make mentorship not just effective, but fun.

  • 2020

Digital Marketing Certification
I founded a Digital Marketing Certification Program tailored for nonprofits around the world, helping organizations with few resources gain global reach.

  • 2023

U.S. University Expansion
I expanded my academic efforts to U.S. universities, bringing workshops and webinars to a wider audience hungry for change.

  • Always

The Father
Between late-night projects and early morning meetings, I’ve always made space for what matters most, my role as a husband and father. Every lesson I teach, every strategy I build, and every plan I lead is grounded in the values I live at home: patience, presence, and purpose

Fun Facts About Me

Beyond the professional journey, here’s what makes me tick

Big Sports Guy

From gymnastics and jiu-jitsu to soccer and beach volleyball, I’ve always believed movement sharpens the mind. (Yes, I still try to win every pickup game.)

Co-Foudner 2x

I’ve co-founded two startups! because solving problems and building from zero is my idea of fun.

Proud Dad

Raising two incredible kids who teach me more about patience, curiosity, and Minecraft than any workshop ever could.

Born & Raised Turkish

I carry my roots with pride… Flavored by tea, tradition, and a deep love for community.

Lifelong Gamer

A true World of Warcraft fan (For the Horde!), and always ready for the next raid or strategy session.

I’m Batman!

I’m a huge fan of Christopher Nolan, and his Batman trilogy holds a special place in my cinematic heart.

Professional Skills

Key expertise areas developed over 14+ years in the industry

Product Management
Digital Marketing
SEO
AI/Machine Learning