In this month’s profile we hear more about the career of a Senior Account Managers based out of our Seattle HQ. What does she like about Amazon, what’s the best part of her job and who is Mondo?
How would you describe yourself in 2-4 sentences?
I am an 8th generation Californian, who after a four year stint in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, is loving being back on the West Coast in the great PNW. I spend most of my time with my partner of 11 years, Micah, and my French Bulldog, Mondo. I’ve enjoyed a diverse career in sales and business development, working for both small and large organisations alike, but what I remember most about each role is the relationships I took with me. I love games of any kind (cards, dominos, mahjong, etc.) and despite my competitive nature, I do like just getting to play more than winning. I hope the lasting impression I leave people with is my enthusiasm, passion, and grit.
Tell us about your time at Amazon so far.
I joined Amazon in January 2019 as a Senior Account Manager. My role is to help our enterprise merchant customers grow with Amazon Pay, and represent their needs and goals with internal stakeholders. Late last year I transitioned into a people management role, and I am really enjoying the opportunity to develop others and see them grow and succeed.
What about your work prior to Amazon?
Prior to joining Amazon I spent time at both start-ups and larger companies in the SAAS space, always in client and partner facing roles. Having worked with small businesses throughout my career, I’ve developed an affinity for how to find ways to demonstrate value and help them solve their business challenges.
What does a typical day look like for you?
My days vary quite a bit, especially in the past few months, given the new normal we are all living in. Generally, I try to start my day doing something active, and succeed about 50% of the time. Then, it’s meetings with merchants, cross-functional teams, my directs, and trying to get work done in between. A good upside of being home is getting to take Mondo for a mid-afternoon walk each day with my partner. It’s been a nice break in the day and has become our routine. Once the workday ends, I usually cook dinner, and (I’m embarrassed to admit) decompress watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy every night.
What is one of the reasons you enjoy working at Amazon Pay?
I have always hoped to work in a startup environment within a big company and Amazon Pay is exactly this. We are less than 300 globally and everyone is able to bring ideas to the table and if they are good enough, the team will decide to invest in them.
What do you enjoy about the Amazon culture? Or what’s one thing you’ve learned since your time at Amazon?
What I enjoy most about the Amazon culture is the belief and investment in ongoing learning and personal development. Whether through the various courses that are offered, support around career mobility, or adoption of methodologies like StrengthsFinder, I appreciate the encouragement to invest in developing ourselves. Since learning about StrengthsFinder, I find I apply it almost daily when interacting with my customers or colleagues. My top five strengths are; Relator, Positivity, Adaptability, Activator, Communication.
What is your favourite leadership principle and why?
It is difficult to pick just one since they really work in concert with each other, though if forced to choose I’d say Bias for Action. When it comes to work decisions, one can tend to overthink and reevaluate, so I appreciate the one-way vs. two-way door concept to speed decision-making and encourage calculated risks.
What is one of the reasons you enjoy working at Amazon Pay?
Hands down, the people! Amazon Pay has cultivated an amazing community of people that I feel privileged to work with each day. My Amazon Pay teammates are both supportive and encouraging, while also pushing me to stretch, and learn.
How does Amazon support your career goals?
I appreciate that Amazon supports us with the tools and resource to be our own career captain. We have opportunities to take on projects, experience new roles or teams, take courses, etc. This really allows a person to be in the driver’s seat of their career development and goals.
What’s the best thing about coming to work each day?
My team!
Is there a “perk” to your job that might surprise people?
I find many of the campus activities to be a big perk, and try to make time for them when I can. A few of my favourites are: Makers Mornings, Author Fishbowl, AmazeCon. It is a great way to get to know other Amazonians, experience outside speakers and more opportunities I may not have exposure to otherwise.
What are some of your passions or something that excites you outside of work?
My #1 interest outside of work is my French Bulldog, Mondo. Aside from trying to spend 100% of my free time with Mondo, I like to try and cultivate new hobbies. I’ve tried my hand at everything from marathon running (completed 5 full, 10 halves), learning to play the violin, knitting, woodworking, glassblowing (when in Rome, right!?), jigsaw puzzles, standup paddle boarding, sprint triathlons, and mahjongg club. Some stick… some don’t, but I always enjoy trying to learn something new!