Day One and New Beginnings

2020 was marked with unmistakable change and uncertainty for me personally and professionally. However, a remarkable thing happened during this stretch of physical isolation due to COVID and seeming stasis: connectivity grew, the pace of change accelerated, my appetite for learning increased, my curiosity for how technology can further customers goals continued to grow, and my sense of possibility was rejuvenated. Even though we were all quarantined, I believe we have also been unlocked and freed for creating the future we all need. 

Nothing will be as it once was (normal never was) and I hold my family, my friends, my communities, and the teams I am part of tighter than I did before. 2020 helped all of us figure out what was important and what we would carry with us going forward. We have all had to decide what habits we would bring with us into the future and which habits we would leave behind. I would encourage all of you to not let what you learned in 2020 to fade away. As we roar into the 20s, be turbocharged by your customers and be catalyzed by curiosity. Do not forget your success will be tied to your customers, your passionate, trust, ownership of the future, continuous learning, grace, and grit. 

Every year is a mirror for what came before and a window for what is next. Not every year will be 2020, but the lessons from 2020 should make us better every year going forward.  2020 forced me to reflect on what was next and what I wanted to bring with me into the future. It forced me to grow as a person, a parent, a friend, a community member, and a leader. It helped me decide to join an amazing company and amazing team @AWS while celebrating the journey and achievements of another amazing company and amazing team @Intel. Working @Intel was incredible with incredible leaders and incredible technology – they will always be my colleagues and friends. @Intel – thank you for 6 unbelievable years. @AWS – thank you for welcoming me! I am humbled and honored. 

To quote my alma mater @Intel, Robert Noyce: “Don’t be encumber by history, just go out and do something wonderful” followed by @AWS, Jeff Bezos “It’s always Day 1.”

Day 1 @AWS.