Katrina Phiri

Background

Job Description

I lead business strategy and operations for an AWS team called Salesforce Success Central (SFSC). We are a dedicated, central team providing Salesforce expertise and managed services to help teams across Amazon accelerate their Salesforce journey, while raising the bar on security, compliance, operational excellence (OE), and financial responsibility. We help Amazon builders accelerate their time to market, lower costs, and improve security and operational excellence by harnessing the power of Salesforce.

Company Description

Since launching in 2006, Amazon Web Services has been providing world-leading cloud technologies that help any organization and any individual build solutions to transform industries, communities, and lives for the better. As part of Amazon, we strive to be Earth's most customer-centric company. We work backwards from our customers' problems to provide them with cloud infrastructure that meets their needs, so they can reinvent continuously and push through barriers of what people thought was possible.

Employment History

• Amazon Web Services (AWS) - Head of Business Strategy & Operations, SFSC | 2023 – Present (Seattle, WA) • Amazon – Sr. Product Manager, Global Risk Management & Claims Technology | 2019 – 2023 (Seattle, WA) • PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) – Sr. Associate Consultant, Cybersecurity & Privacy | 2017 – 2019 (Seattle, WA) • Seattle University – Full-time Graduate Student (MBA) & Genevieve Albers Graduate Fellow | 2015 – 2017 (Seattle, WA) • IQ Business, South Africa – Sr. Associate Consultant, Regulatory, Analytics & Sustainability Division | 2012 – 2015 (Johannesburg, SA) • Japan Exchange & Teaching (JET) Program – English Language Teacher | 2008 - 2011 (Matsuyama City, Japan)

Education

• PMP Certification (Project Management Professional) | 2020 • Professional MBA and Certificate in Business Analytics, Seattle University, USA | 2017 • PRINCE2 Foundation Certificate (Project Management), South Africa | 2012 • Bachelor of Business Science (B.Bus.Sci), Finance Specialization (Honors), University of Cape Town, South Africa | 2007

Mentoring Objectives & Scope

Mentees can expect: 1) career coaching, resume review, and personal branding guidance; 2) interview prep, including mock interview practice; 3) insights on working in tech or transitioning into tech with a non-traditional background; and 4) discussion of any other topics that are top of mind. I expect mentees to: 1) come prepared with what you'd like to discuss in each session; 2) take the lead in driving this experience as it is up to you to make it a success based on your stated goals and desired outcomes; and 3) be respectful of each other's time and communicate any schedule changes in advance (as will I).

When and where do you hold meetings with your students?

100% virtual. Mentees will be invited to the Amazon campus (South Lake Union) for occasional in-person meetings.

Additional Information

From her time as a graduate student to the present, Katrina continues to be an active member of the Seattle U community. In addition to being an SU Albers Mentor, Katrina leads the Amazon-SU affinity group for employees (2024 - Present). She is also a member of SU's Albers Marketing Department Advisory Board (2022 - Present). As a graduate student and alumnus, Katrina participated in student government, volunteer organizations, and held various leadership positions. Leadership roles and awards/recognition include: President of the SU International Student Alumni Chapter Board (2019 - 2020); VP of the SU International Student Alumni Chapter Board (2017 - 2019); President of Albers Graduate Student Association (AGSA, 2016 - 2017); Dean’s Honor List (2015 - 2017); Winner of the Genevieve Albers Graduate Fellowship (2016 - 2017); Winner of Albers Graduate Student Association (AGSA) Leadership Award (2017); Winner of SU ISC's Outstanding International Graduate Student Award (2017); Winner of the Albers Graduate Student Service Award (2016); Inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma (international academic honor society for business schools, 2017); Inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu (national Jesuit honor society, top 4% of each class eligible, 2017).