top of page
Sarah, Worldwide Public Sector Marketing Leader at Amazon Web Services: Advize Career Interview
A journey from leading a $12 million nonprofit as a paid student body president to becoming a Worldwide Public Sector Marketing Leader at Amazon Web Services, this individual's career path is anything but linear.
The interview reveals a dynamic professional who built a successful career leveraging skills honed through diverse experiences, from global communications and in-house PR roles to a six-year tenure at IBM. This leader's expertise centers on overarching marketing strategy, specifically targeting senior executives with tailored content and managing large-scale initiatives like a vodcast reaching 84 million views and the AWS Behind the Cloud podcast.
The interview highlights the importance of "soft skills," strategic thinking, and strong writing, while emphasizing the rewarding aspects of collaboration and the ongoing need for continuous learning in a fast-paced industry.
Aspiring professionals will find inspiration in the advice to remain flexible, embrace diverse opportunities, and understand that there are many pathways to success, regardless of formal training or background.
The discussion also underscores the significant impact of undergraduate leadership experiences and the challenges and triumphs of navigating a corporate career as a woman.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Sarah Storelli
Worldwide Public Sector Marketing Leader
Amazon Web Services
Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
N/A
English, Writing & Education
Technology
Communication and Marketing
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path of a Worldwide Public Sector Marketing Leader at Amazon Web Services
Sarah's career journey, beginning with a unique experience as a paid student body president running a "$12 million 501c3 nonprofit corporation," transitioned from a global comms tech PR firm, through an in-house PR role at an ad tech company, and a six-year stint at IBM where they pivoted to marketing, culminating in their current role as a Worldwide Public Sector Marketing Leader at Amazon Web Services, where they launched a successful vodcast garnering "84 million views."
Main Responsibilities of a Public Sector Marketing Leader at Amazon Web Services
Sarah's role as Worldwide Public Sector Marketing Leader at Amazon Web Services centers on "overarching marketing strategy," specifically targeting "very senior level executives" through tailored engagements and thought leadership content. This includes managing agencies, creating the AWS Behind the Cloud podcast, and driving promotional strategies both internally and externally to maximize impact.
A Day In The Life Of A Worldwide Public Sector Marketing Leader At Amazon Web Services
A day in the life of Sarah, a Worldwide Public Sector Marketing Leader at Amazon Web Services, is highly variable, depending on location and current marketing activations. The role centers on collaboration—"shepherding a lot of folks, getting them aligned and taking ownership and executing to deliver results"—through meetings with executive relations and public relations teams, strategy development, content creation, and event oversight.
Skills for a Public Sector Marketing Leader at Amazon Web Services
Sarah, a Worldwide Public Sector Marketing Leader at Amazon Web Services, emphasizes the importance of "soft skills," particularly "emotional intelligence" and strategic thinking, as crucial for success in their role, highlighting the evolution of strategic capabilities over a 13-year career. Strong writing skills are also deemed essential, as "content is king and queen," a skill honed by their English degree and valuable across PR and marketing.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Public Sector Marketing Leader At Amazon
Sarah, a Worldwide Public Sector Marketing Leader at AWS, finds the most rewarding aspect of her role to be "the people," thriving on collaboration and the diverse perspectives encountered while working with "a hundred different people around the world." This aligns perfectly with their extroverted personality and the collaborative nature of marketing, communications, and sales.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Worldwide Public Sector Marketing Leader at Amazon Web Services
Sarah, a Worldwide Public Sector Marketing Leader at Amazon Web Services, finds the biggest challenge in her role to be "people," despite considering them "the greatest asset." This challenge stems from the need for constant alignment across diverse departments and personalities, highlighting the importance of emotional intelligence in navigating varying strategic perspectives.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Marketing Industry As A Public Sector Marketing Leader At AWS
Sarah, a Worldwide Public Sector Marketing Leader at AWS, finds the most rewarding aspects of her industry to be "the people and also the strategy," particularly appreciating the strategic, revenue-generating nature of marketing compared to her earlier PR experience. This allows Sarah to "learn more of the business and be that marketing partner" with a company-wide perspective, leveraging skills to strategically impact the business.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Marketing According To A Marketing Leader At Amazon Web Services
Sarah, a Worldwide Public Sector Marketing Leader at Amazon Web Services, highlights a need for "continuous learning and curiosity" in the fast-paced marketing industry, noting that while many successful professionals are extroverted and possess high energy, introverted individuals with a talent for deep data analysis also play a critical role.
What a Marketing Leader at AWS Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Marketing Industry
Sarah, a Worldwide Public Sector Marketing Leader at AWS with an English degree and no formal marketing training, advises aspiring professionals that a background in marketing is not a prerequisite for success in the industry, emphasizing the importance of "constantly learning and evolving." The interview highlights a pivotal moment in Sarah's career where remaining flexible and open to opportunities, rather than immediately pursuing a new role, ultimately led to a series of promotions and a significantly impactful career trajectory.
Entry-level Positions for Aspiring Marketers at Amazon Web Services
Entry-level marketing and PR roles abound for undergraduates, with opportunities in "design to events, to content, uh, you know, there's just so many different digital," including social media; a junior-level position, either in-house or at an agency, provides a foundation for senior-level growth, reflecting the fact that "none of us got to where we are by already being, you know, the expert in them."
Significant Career Lesson From A Marketing Leader At Amazon Web Services
Sarah's career journey highlights the value of non-linear career paths, emphasizing that "there are a million ways to get somewhere." Eight years in PR provided a strong foundation for their current marketing leadership role at AWS, showcasing the unexpected benefits of diverse experiences and offering a unique perspective combining both fields.
College Experiences That Helped A Worldwide Public Sector Marketing Leader At Amazon Web Services Succeed
Sarah's undergraduate experience was defined by significant involvement in student government, culminating in the student body presidency, and various other leadership roles across different colleges. This deep involvement fostered valuable skills in "people engagement, managing various personalities and dynamics," and built lasting relationships with alumni, all of which continue to benefit their career as a Worldwide Public Sector Marketing Leader at Amazon Web Services.
How Identity Influenced a Worldwide Public Sector Marketing Leader's Career at Amazon Web Services
Sarah's career journey has involved both opportunities and challenges as a woman, including advocating for other women and experiencing situations unique to their gender in the workplace; this led Sarah to actively mentor and sponsor others, "paving the way for others, but bringing them up with me," ultimately aiming to improve the experience for future generations of women in corporate settings.
Advizer Personal Links
My LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahstorelli/
bottom of page