On Tuesday, October 15, AWS Innovation Strategy leader Chiara Longhi will join a panel of industry experts at a special Women Love Tech event at SXSW Sydney. Chiara will be joined by Rebecca Zeus, CEO of BizCubed and Myles Lawlor, General Manager of Technology and Product at Alternaleaf.
Chiara Longhi has spent more than a decade shaping the digital landscape across the world, including the United States, Asia-Pacific, and Australia. Currently serving as the Innovation Principal at Amazon Web Services (AWS), Chiara will be bringing her wealth of knowledge and passion for mentorship to SXSW Sydney 2024. She will be one the of the inspiring leaders on the Women Love Tech panel, to discuss innovation, emerging technologies, and career advice for aspiring professionals in the tech industry.
Chiara’s journey to becoming a leader at AWS is a testament to her drive and adaptability. She began her career in New York City at AOL after earning her degree in Economics from Bocconi University and a Master’s degree from New York University. This foundation laid the groundwork for her future success in tech. Her early experiences in digital advertising set the stage for a globe-trotting career and led her to LinkedIn in Hong Kong, where she supported the company’s expansion into Japan and Korea. Since then, Chiara has emerged as a trailblazer in launching and expanding digital businesses, including leading the launch of Amazon in Australia and Singapore between 2017 and 2019.
Currently, Chiara works closely with executive leaders across the Asia-Pacific & Japan region, helping them leverage Amazon’s innovative tools to bring new ideas and products to market. As part of her role, Chiara is not only an innovation strategist but also a mentor and educator – a true leader, having trained thousands of individuals across the globe. Her efforts have also earned her numerous accolades. These include recognition as one of the “10 Most Empowering Women in Business to Watch”, being selected as a member of the Rare by Google Leadership Program, and becoming a finalist at the “Australian Small Business Awards” with her company “The Moonshot Company”.
Empowering emerging entrepreneurs
With her extensive experience in product development, business expansion, and leadership, she will be addressing some of the most critical questions facing the tech industry today within our panel discussion at SXSW Sydney. Alongside other industry leaders, Chiara will provide insight into how enterprises can stay ahead of the curve in innovation, foster environments of inclusion, and nurture talent within their teams.
As someone who has seen the rise of digital businesses across multiple continents, Chiara is no stranger to challenges. Her career has spanned some of the most complex and fast-moving environments, including launching Amazon in new markets and supporting LinkedIn’s growth in East Asia.
An inspiring leader for women in tech
A frequent speaker, Chiara is known for her emphasis on mentorship and the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) in leadership. She has become a role model for women in tech through her work at AWS, inspiring the next generation of leaders to embrace both their technical skills and their capacity for empathy. Chiara’s interest on the importance of EQ is evident: she enrolled and graduated from the InnerMBA program, the first credited program fully focused on EQ- related skills, has been selected for the Rare By Google Leadership cohor, and has been acting as an Innovation & EQ Evangelist at AWS since 2021, training thousands of individuals from hundreds of companies worldwide. Recently, Chiara has also launched “The Moonshot Company”, a side project whose goal is to help shape the next generation of leaders, supporting individuals in reaching their moonshot, whatever that might be. Chiara’s holistic approach to leadership – one that marries hard skills with emotional intelligence – has become a hallmark of her work at AWS. It is a role that has also seen her interview over 380 candidates as an Amazon Bar Raiser, helping countless individuals realise their potential.
The WLT panel at SXSW Sydney will offer a platform for Chiara to discuss one of her greatest passions: empowering women in technology. As an industry that has traditionally struggled with diversity, tech is in need of more leaders like Chiara. Those who are actively working to bridge the gender gap through mentorship and advocacy. On the panel, Chiara will share her journey, offering practical career advice for women looking to break into the tech industry or climb the corporate ladder.
Chiara knows firsthand what it takes to succeed in environments that demand constant innovation, agility, and leadership. Her work has spanned various stages of business development, so, whether it’s discussing how she launched Amazon in Australia or providing insight into AWS’ innovation frameworks, Chiara’s advice will be grounded in personal experience and offer invaluable direction to anyone seeking a foothold in the tech world.
Watch Chiara Longhi Speak at SXSW Sydney 2024
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Chiara Longhi speak at SXSW Sydney 2024. This panel is sure to be an enlightening and inspiring session for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, innovation, and leadership. You can secure your tickets with a 10% discount using the following link: SXSW Sydney 2024 Tickets.
