Home: Seattle, WA. Birthplace: Loveland, CO. Profession: People-first software development leader. Organization: Amazon. Pronouns: She/Her/Hers. Alma mater: UC San Diego (BS, Computer Science).
Recent recognition: An employee has now followed me for the third time to a new role. Latest accomplishment: Removing BMI from Amazon’s life insurance underwriting. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Four huge improvements to Amazon’s benefits programs. Professional superpower: Hiring teams FAST. Hobbies: Orchids, cake decorating, knitting. Recent unique acquisition: Sigmatostalix radicans.
Personality profile: Authentic, inclusive, vulnerable. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Wise. How do you define a perfect friendship? Simple, deep, continuous. What is your guilty pleasure? Watching really terrible reality TV. How do you relieve stress? By making all kinds of things. What natural talent have you neglected? Singing. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Creating my indoor jungle. What is at the top of your bucket list? Taking my kids to see the world.
What was your first paying job? As an administrative assistant’s assistant. What was your favorite college course? Quantum Physics. What movie have you repeatedly watched? 12 Monkeys. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? A mounted staghorn fern. What’s the best advice you received in your career? Be generous, offer appreciation. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? James Wong. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Overcoming anorexia and taking my life back.
What is your big idea?
Technology to empower fat people to vote with their wallets easily.
What change would you like to see in the world? Eliminating fatphobia. What widely held belief do you reject? Fat people are unhealthy and unworthy. What mega-trend most excites you? The end of gender. What mega-trend most concerns you? Crypto currency’s impact on the environment.
What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Aidy Bryant. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? The first botanist president. After your loved ones, what object would you first save from your burning home? Nothing. I don’t place much value on material things. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Laying on the grass in Ireland, with my family. What advice would you give your younger self? No numbers can define your value. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My twenties.
Personal mission: Leading through vulnerability and authenticity. Personal motto: People first, employees second. Favorite quote: “When we liberate ourselves from the expectation that we must have all things figured out, we enter a sanctuary of empathy” (Sonya Renee Taylor, The Body Is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self-Love).
