Walking away from what is expected of you and how people define you can feel scary, extremely overwhelming, but at the same time freeing.
If you have been following me for a while, you may have noticed that I am not as active as I was in the past. Part of this is because I've struggled to grow in the "box of expectations." I've been trying to figure out what is next…what makes me happy while being "X" person. I am letting that go, and letting God lead me.
I'm letting go of what is expected of me or how people have labeled me. Some people met me as a supply chain professional, some as a product leader, and others as the president of Amazon's Black Employee Network (BEN). Being recognized as one thing or having a highly coveted role can make you feel nervous or scared to move into something different. You worry if your network will change, if people will judge your decisions, and if pivoting will cause your career progress to slow or become stagnant.
A Lover of Many Things
Overthinking things made me hit a wall; it caused frustration and sleepless nights.
I am now embracing being multifaceted and am embracing this journey. I enjoy so many things and I am good at some many things. Each role and experience has shaped who I am. I struggle with titles because I don't there isn’t one specific thing that I enjoy doing…titles and job functions can be extremely limiting. It is okay to be a lover of many things and you should be proud and be celebrated for the many skills and talents that you have.
I love product management; I am a builder at heart. Being at the intersection of innovation between customers, business, and tech is exhilarating! I enjoy business development; I enjoy engaging directly with customers and identifying new business opportunities. I am strategic; creating a strategy is second nature to me, so much so that I often don't realize that I am doing it (my friends can attest to this). I get excited when I can work backwards from a problem and identify (and build) a solution.
Last, but certainly not least, my heart beats for my community and other underserved communities. I find the most joy utilizing my skills and expertise to make a difference. My time as the president of BEN was transformative for me. I am still heavily involved (I can never step away) and am now working with leaders to build inclusion into the work that I and other teams do within the business.
Breaking Free
So, what is the answer?
The answer for my life is to release control; I am taking leaps of faith, trying new things, and letting God lead me. I will not operate in fear. I will not limit myself. I will not try to overly control outcomes. All of the most monumental moments in my life were not planned by me, and instead they were all by His design. I am embodying faith + works (people often forget the ‘works’ part).
With that being said, I moved back to Seattle in April 2024. I needed to feel grounded; and I felt a pull to return to Seattle to do just that. My return to Seattle has felt like home, and a safe space to step into "what is next."
I pivoted to Technical Business Development in July 2024 with a continued focus on electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure! I would say I am more "product business development," merging my two worlds together, identifying scalable pan-Amazon solutions to meet customer and industry needs. Then earlier this year, I made another pivot into generative AI, focused on identifying ways customers can utilize generative AI in their business to help them grow and scale.
So many people questioned my decision to move away from product management; it is a role that so many people want to move into. I think great business development managers have product management experience, and have a special way of interacting with customers…and most importantly, this isn't a one-way door decision. I am an established product leader. I can always pivot back to product management. You don't know if something is right for you until you just do it.
The Journey
I am in an interesting and exciting [and overwhelming] season in my life. I am trying new things; I am learning and being curious and enjoying the ride.
I hope you will continue to follow me, and if you are new here, I hope you will stay awhile, as I try and learn new things, transition into business development (while still being heavily product focused), dive deeper into emerging industries (e.g. EV charging), and grow as a generative AI professional.
My journey has four core pillars:
AI and emerging technology: resources, things I've learned, and debunking things in the media (IYKYK)
Career transition(s): my transition into a new role and helpful tips along the way
Inclusive technology and tech for good: I have some things up my sleeve; excited to share, along with tips and resources for ways that you can drive tech for good
Living authentically: the things that bring me joy in this everchanging world
My Advice to You
Choose you, always.
Regardless if you decide to follow me on my journey, I encourage you to shed anything that may be holding you back. Do not let fear overcome your happiness. Choose you and live a life that is authentically you. Like Beyoncé said, Cowboy Carter isn't a country album, it is a Beyoncé album. You are not your titles; you are [insert name].
Stay tuned! Be sure to subscribe <3
P.S. This post was not written by AI :)
