How Identity Influenced a Worldwide Public Sector Marketing Leader's Career at Amazon Web Services

There are many interesting opportunities and challenges that come with being a woman. Throughout my career, I've had various mentors and sponsors of different genders who have advocated for me. In turn, I have continued to advocate for all women.

At the end of the day, there's still a pay gap. There are also workplace issues that men don't experience, simply because we are women. Sometimes we walk into the boardroom as the only woman present.

I've served on boards where this has been the case. Therefore, I've always strongly believed in helping to pave the way for others and lifting them up with me, especially women.

For example, I was the youngest president of the Public Relations Society of America Silicon Valley chapter. During my term, I built the team up to 25 members. This was significant because I brought on former PRSSA student presidents from San Jose State University and included them on my board. They were amazing talents. My board also included individuals up to the CMO level.

The people I had on my board have gone on to achieve great things. One even became the president of the San Francisco chapter. It's incredible to see what happens when you nurture people and let them spread their wings. Giving away the keys is something I've always taken to heart.

Along the way, I've had different bosses, of any gender, who have been supportive and opened doors for me. Especially at IBM, I had several women managers who truly opened up floodgates of opportunity for me. I love being able to give back and do that whenever I can for women, because it's so imperative.

There's still animosity against us, or people are still intimidated by us. They'll say things to us that you would never say to a man. It's important for all of us to be advocates and bring other women up with us.

I know from some of my mentors that they faced much worse conditions. They paved the way for those of us who are still experiencing remnants of those challenges. It's still a process of working through and powering through.

My hope is that the next generation, or even 50 years from now, little girls who want to be in corporate America won't have to deal with everything that my mentors, predecessors, and all of us have. It's imperative for all of us to continue being advocates whenever possible and bring other women along with us.