In its commitment to empowering and upskilling women in the technology industry, Amazon hosted the 3rd edition of the AmazeWIT – Amazon Women in Technology Conference in Bengaluru. The day-long hybrid conference provided a platform for women to learn about innovative technologies, professional development, and exchange best practices, fostering a sense of inclusion and belonging.
Themed ‘Empowering Inclusion, Fostering Belonging’, the conference featured thought-provoking keynote addresses, technology talks by Amazon leaders and accomplished women in tech, insightful fireside chats, and networking opportunities. Topics discussed ranged from inclusion and belonging to cutting-edge innovations at Amazon, building inclusive tech teams, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and the technology behind Amazon Pay.
Amit Agarwal, Senior Vice President, Amazon India, and Emerging Markets, expressed enthusiasm for the digital transformation underway in India and praised the critical role women are playing in shaping it. He highlighted the inspiring stories shared by women technology leaders at AmazeWIT and praised the conference as a catalyst for ideation, knowledge-sharing, and inspiration as India’s digital transformation unfolds.
The conference brought together over 400 participants, including tech leaders, women in roles such as Software Development Engineers, Technical Program Managers, Business Intelligence Engineers, and selected women students from science and tech fields. Amazon’s latest projects, innovations, and technology visions were showcased through informational booths, allowing participants to engage with the company’s representatives and gain insights into their respective domains.
Deepti Varma, VP – People Experience and Technology, Amazon Stores – India, Japan, and Emerging Markets, emphasized Amazon’s commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. She highlighted the pivotal role women play in bringing diverse perspectives, creativity, and critical thinking to innovate products and technologies. AmazeWIT aims to empower and encourage women in the tech community by providing them with opportunities to learn, grow, and make a difference.
The conference featured prominent Amazon leaders and key industry figures as speakers, including Mita Mahadevan, Director of Search Relevance, Search Science, and AI at Amazon, Rajiv Chopra, VP of Pricing, Imaging, and CVNA, Gitanjali Bhutani, Director of Software Development, Liz Gebhard, Head of Inclusive Experiences and Technology at Amazon, and Shanti Kurupati, Senior Director of Engineering at Y Media Labs, among others. A special fireside chat titled ‘Breaking Barriers’ saw leaders discuss the emerging roles of women in leadership and technology.
Amazon’s commitment to championing women in technology was evident throughout the conference. AmazeWIT 2023 aimed to inspire women to excel in the world of technology and make a lasting impact on the tech community. With its innovative spirit and diverse team of creators, Amazon continues to provide straightforward solutions to challenging technical and commercial issues, enhancing the shopping experience for customers worldwide. As a leading development platform, Amazon continues to drive innovation and remains a center for bright minds from various backgrounds, specialties, and experiences to thrive.
Image: Gitanjali Bhutani, Director, Technology, CMT Systems, Amazon, Vaishali Kasture, Director, Commercial Business, India & South Asia, Amazon Web Services, Sandy Gordon, VP, People Experie
