Career Stories: Michelle Levine
For more than 50 years, our firm has been all about building careers: from opening doors of economic opportunity for women to, today, serving as an executive search and executive coaching resource. We’ve been told that we listen intently and ask good questions: an important part of helping individuals write their career story into the future. In this series of posts, we will highlight some of those stories, believing that others’ experiences may inform your career story, too.
A career ascent to and through through Amazon
What’s your career story, leading up to your current role as Principal, Strategic Alliances & Business Development, Retail Technology Innovation?
While studying marketing at Lehigh University, I secured an HBO advertising internship through family connections. Inspired to independently attain my next opportunity, I leveraged alumni contacts to secure an internship at News America Marketing. This experience was pivotal, cementing my career interest in sales and leading to an entry-level account executive role at The New York Post, their sister company. As one of the youngest salespeople there, I developed creative strategies to reinvigorate dormant accounts, earning three promotions. After five years, I transitioned briefly to another newspaper before being recruited by Amazon for Amazon Local. Hired as the first salesperson, I played a key role in shaping the business, hiring team members, and establishing meaningful relationships with leadership. My efforts led to international expansion opportunities and a promotion to sales team manager.
I’ve held various roles and received two promotions within Amazon over the last 12+ years. My career with Amazon has evolved over the years, from working with Prime Now on ultra-fast deliveries to joining the Alexa business development team. Despite the challenges of learning new technologies, my adaptability, reputation and relationship-building skills proved invaluable both in demonstrating success in my roles as well as leaning on internal networks to find new career opportunities within Amazon. My role transitioned from managing teams to managing partnerships, and eventually led me to explore the technical side of AWS. After taking some time away for maternity leave, I joined the Just Walk Out Technology team, applying my diverse experience to a strategic tech BD role. Most recently I have been overseeing an important partnership with a Fortune 500 company to help drive business development opportunities. It’s given me the opportunity to work cross functionally with a variety of people to navigate through ambiguity and solve unique challenges
What do you like most about the work you’re engaged in at Amazon? What’s been most rewarding?
The common thread woven through all my roles has been the rewarding process of cultivating productive and fulfilling business relationships with both team members and clients. Several of these professional relationships have even blossomed into enduring friendships. The opportunity to collaborate with intelligent, cooperative individuals has been a consistent source of inspiration in my various positions. Further enriching my experience has been the freedom to exercise creative autonomy, tackling problems independently and leveraging my unique skills and sense of humor to exceed expectations.
What’s most challenging?
Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to find satisfaction in my roles for extended periods. However, as a naturally curious person who has rapidly advanced in my career, I often find myself pondering the future and wondering when the time will come for my next transition. The thought of the years ahead can be quite daunting. Upon graduation, the vast array of opportunities and potential career paths can be overwhelming. But as you gain experience and refine your skills, your choices inevitably narrow. For me, it's crucial to remain relevant, versatile, maintain a strong professional reputation, and stay alert to potential opportunities around the corner. Meanwhile, I aim to stay present, focused, and content in my current role, striving always to perform at my best.
What lessons have you learned along the way?
Embrace Initiative - if you don’t ask, you don’t get: Opportunities are seldom handed out freely; they are seized by those who actively seek and shape them. If a desired opportunity doesn't exist, I firmly believe in forging a path towards it. In my experience, this proactive approach can empower you to open up the possibility of attaining what you want. The worst outcome is a 'no,' but more often, there's a way to achieve your objective if you're willing to ask and work for it.
Prioritize Communication: Ensuring that both colleagues and clients feel acknowledged is vital. Whether I have an immediate answer or not, I strive to keep communication lines open, regularly updating them about my progress. This builds professional respect, demonstrating commitment, diligence, and consideration.
What career advice would you give to others?
My paramount advice is to build and continuously expand your professional network. Keep in touch with intent. The value of my connections is immeasurable. Encourage a symbiotic relationship where you assist others and allow them to support you in return. I've found that the most successful individuals flourish, not in isolation, but through the support and belief of their established and growing networks. I advocate for engaging confidently with your network, introducing yourself, following up, and most importantly, reciprocating by assisting others when you can. This ever-expanding circle can serve as a consistent and reliable resource when you need it.
For further information about CFW Careers Recruiting and Career Coaching services, please contact Cynnie King cynnie@cfwcareers.com or Rachel Fagnant-Fassler rachel@cfwcareers.com.