Career Navigation and Leadership: Lessons from AWS Sales Leader Angie Perez Thomas

09/25/24 • 47 min

The "Dear Future CRO" Podcast by GrowthQ

Welcome back to the Dear Future CRO Podcast powered by GrowthQ!
In this episode, we sit down with Angie Perez Thomas, the North American Sales Leader for Enterprise Customers at Amazon Web Services (AWS). Angie, a powerhouse in the tech industry, shares insightful reflections on her career journey, from her childhood dreams of becoming an astronaut to navigating her role at AWS.

We delve into Angie's strategic approach to leadership, her outstanding communication skills, and her commitment to self-care and personal development. Discover how she managed a rapidly growing team amidst high-pressure targets and her advice for future Enterprise Sales Leaders on fostering growth and resilience.

Tune in as we explore Angie's robust career chapters, her transition from lab work to tech sales, and the significant impact of career coaching on her trajectory. With a rich background that spans various U.S. regions and cultural landscapes, Angie offers a unique perspective on empathy, diversity, and intersectionality within the corporate world.

Get ready for an inspiring conversation with Angie Perez Thomas on what it truly takes to succeed and lead in today’s dynamic business environment.

Timestamp Topics

00:00 Passion for technology, music, and space exploration.

05:27 Evolving communication skills became crucial in college.

10:27 Seattle diversity vs. Purdue's lack of diversity.

12:05 Empathy, perseverance, diversity, overcoming adversity, showcasing strengths.

14:46 Many Hispanic Americans don't speak Spanish, affecting inclusion.

18:20 Exploration of diverse cultural histories is fulfilling.

21:44 Transitioned from engineering to sales in manufacturing.

24:08 Hiring a coach built my career foundation.

29:05 Building newsletters, communicating effectively, and allocating thinking time.

30:49 Strategic vision essential for impactful business decisions.

37:08 Sales growth relies heavily on productive people.

38:10 Effective communication crucial for achieving team targets.

42:48 Continually build a supportive ecosystem for new challenges.

44:47 Act as if you're already in role.

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Get ready for an inspiring conversation with Angie Perez Thomas on what it truly takes to succeed and lead in today’s dynamic business environment.

Timestamp Topics

00:00 Passion for technology, music, and space exploration.

05:27 Evolving communication skills became crucial in college.

10:27 Seattle diversity vs. Purdue's lack of diversity.

12:05 Empathy, perseverance, diversity, overcoming adversity, showcasing strengths.

14:46 Many Hispanic Americans don't speak Spanish, affecting inclusion.

18:20 Exploration of diverse cultural histories is fulfilling.

21:44 Transitioned from engineering to sales in manufacturing.

24:08 Hiring a coach built my career foundation.

29:05 Building newsletters, communicating effectively, and allocating thinking time.

30:49 Strategic vision essential for impactful business decisions.

37:08 Sales growth relies heavily on productive people.

38:10 Effective communication crucial for achieving team targets.

42:48 Continually build a supportive ecosystem for new challenges.

44:47 Act as if you're already in role.

Previous Episode

How to Drive Change and Build Trust with CRO Denise Walter

Welcome to the Dear Future CRO Podcast powered by GrowthQ! In this gripping episode, host Esther goes deep with Denise Walter, the dynamic Chief Revenue Officer at Darktrace. Denise, a seasoned leader with a storied career in tech and sales, opens up about her relentless travels, transformative strategies, and the fine balance she strikes between long-term planning and tactical execution for public companies.

Denise takes us through her pivotal career moments, including her early misstep that set her on a path of leadership development and mentorship. Learn how she motivates her teams by understanding individual needs, the powerful role of tailored recognition, and the synergy of aligning personal and company values.

Dive into Denise's journey, from her roots as an individual contributor to scaling the heights of leadership at Cisco and now Darktrace. Get a candid look at her initial challenges in transitioning to her CRO role and the importance of embracing diverse skills for career progression.

Through her experiences in various business environments—from startups to realignment phases—Denise shares invaluable insights on driving transformation, culture, and people optimization. Join us for an inspiring conversation filled with actionable takeaways on leadership, learning, and creating a thriving workplace. This is an episode you won’t want to miss!
Timestamp Topics

00:00 Find strengths, embrace challenges, and pursue growth.

04:24 Great fit, felt like home, fantastic experience.

07:49 Career progression tied to diverse skills and experiences.

10:01 90-day role focused on people assessment and talent.

14:17 Constant change, optimization, and embracing opportunities.

16:27 Traveling and connecting with teams for change.

20:28 Reflecting on career success and meaningful relationships.

23:20 Took initiative, got a mentor, secured a leadership role.

26:26 Embrace your limitations and seek diverse expertise.

31:12 Align to core values, prioritize people intentionally.

Next Episode

Lessons from the 22 Women CRO's & Leaders of the Dear Future CRO Podcast

Introducing GrowthQ's First AI Podcast: 22 Women's Leadership Stories. This episode distills the wisdom of 22 inspiring female leaders from the "Dear Future CRO" podcast.

Authentic Leadership: Sharon Martin on aligning values.
Vulnerability: Allison West Hughes on authenticity. Rhonda Henley on resilience.
Strategic Leadership: Angie Perez Thomas on strategy & communication.
Mentorship & Sponsorship: Paula Hansen on mentorship. Debbie McClure & Elaine Mason on sponsorship as a career accelerator.
Diversity & Inclusion: Debbie McClure & Carolyn Henry on mitigating bias for better outcomes.
Career Growth: Lynne Doherty on unconventional paths.
Value of rotational opportunities (Debbie McClure).
Customer-Centricity: Gerri Elliott on prioritizing customers over revenue.
Work-Life Balance: Kathy Saye. Dr. Molly Maloof on well-being.
Networking: Marjorie Martin.
Career Ownership: Susan Rothwell.

This AI-generated episode synthesizes insights from Sharon Martin, Allison West Hughes, Angie Perez Thomas, Paula Hansen, Debbie McClure, Elaine Mason, Gerri Elliott, Dr. Molly Maloof, Carolyn Henry, Rhonda Henley, Lynne Doherty, Sandy Hogan, Shannon Redd, Denise Walter, Vanessa Smith, Kathy Saye, Kelly Wright, Susan Rothwell, Marjorie Martin, Ruba Borno, and Katharina Matsui, offering leadership lessons for Technology Sales Leaders, Sales Professionals, and Entrepreneurs.