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Alum of the Month - March 2024

Gaia Ginevra

The academic environment and the emphasis on critical thinking at LSE equipped me with analytical skills and a strategic mindset that are invaluable in the dynamic landscape of technology and cloud services.

alumni of the month

 

  • Programme studied: MSc Economics & Management
  • Year of Graduation: 2020
  • LinkedIn profile

After graduating from LSE, Gaia followed her interest in cloud technology by starting a career in sales at Amazon Web Services (AWS). As an Account Manager, she now manages the growth of 12 Large Enterprise Customers across the Italian market.  

 

Current job title and description of what this role entails:  

In my role as an Enterprise Account Manager, I actively support the digital transformation and integration of cloud services for enterprise accounts in the retail industry. My responsibilities encompass leading existing and new business development initiatives, fostering collaborative endeavours with technology partners, and managing the complete lifecycle of cloud projects. This includes intricate collaboration across diverse functions, engaging with marketing, cloud specialists, and solutions architects. An important part of my job is developing strategic account plans and conducting business reviews, leveraging these processes to analyse market insights and discern data trends for informed decision-making. 

Tell us about your career journey since graduating from LSE?   

Since graduating from LSE, my career journey has been a dynamic exploration of diverse roles within the corporate landscape. Beginning with a Digital Trading internship at Burberry, where I gained insights into the intersection of technology and commerce. 

Subsequently, my entry into the AWS Commercial Sales Graduate Programme marked a pivotal transition, propelling me into the realm of cloud technology. I started out as a Business Development Rep in the Small and Medium Business (SMB) segment for the Italian market, after 1 year, I got the chance to work as an ad-interim Territory Manager for Central Italy.  

Developing my experience with Spanish businesses (and following my love for the Spanish culture), I took on the role of Enterprise Business Development Representative, focusing on the Spanish Financial Services Industry (FSI).  

Currently, I work as an Enterprise Account Manager for the Italian market. I manage 12 large Retail and Fashion accounts. Most of my customers conversations are around cloud migrations, IoT, Machine learning, Generative AI, Sustainability and Data Analytics.

How has the programme you studied helped your career since you graduated? 

Studying at LSE has been a transformative foundation for my career, especially in my current role at AWS. The academic environment and the emphasis on critical thinking at LSE equipped me with analytical skills and a strategic mindset that are invaluable in the dynamic landscape of technology and cloud services. Moreover, the programme's emphasis on global perspectives and understanding diverse economic landscapes has proven particularly beneficial at AWS, where I navigate international markets and collaborate with a wide array of customers. LSE's commitment to excellence has instilled in me a drive for continuous improvement – something that in AWS we call “Insist on the highest standards”. 

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve received? 

The best piece of career advice I've received is the undeniable importance of mentorship and to not be afraid to ask for help and support. I think it is crucial to seek out mentors who have walked a similar path to you before, drawing from their experiences and insights. In this world, the importance of role models cannot be overstated. In an industry that has traditionally been male dominated, having visible and inspirational figures who defy stereotypes and break barriers is crucial. A woman in the industry that I look up to is Veronica Diquattro. She is the President of Consumer and Supply Business for Europe at Omio, and previously worked at DAZN, Spotify and Google. 

What’s the greatest challenge you’ve had to overcome? 

Not sure if I would call it the greatest challenge but, the tech sector has historically been male-dominated, and breaking through gender stereotypes required not only proving my technical competence but also challenging preconceived notions about women in technology.

Gaining customer trust meant continually expanding my knowledge base and staying ahead of industry trends. Overcoming this dual challenge required perseverance and continuous learning. The journey, though demanding, has been immensely rewarding, reinforcing the belief that diversity in knowledge and perspectives contributes not only to personal growth, but also to fostering a more inclusive and innovative tech landscape. 

What are your hopes for the future? 

Looking ahead, I'm eager to continue riding the wave of innovation. Especially nowadays, with the rise of GenAI, I hope to increase my expertise, staying at the forefront of technological advancements. My biggest hope is to become a future role model for young women in tech. I would like to inspire and pave the way for the next generation of female leaders, showcasing that the tech industry is a place where diverse voices, including theirs, can thrive and shape the future.  

Share with us your fondest memory of the Department of Management. 

‘LSE Chill nights’ with my guitar were magic, creating unforgettable moments during an open-mic event inside the campus. However, the diverse friendships formed with classmates from around the world were the heart of my experience—learning not just from books but from each other!

If you would like to be our Alum of the Month or if you would like to nominate a Department of Management alumni, please email dom.alumni@lse.ac.uk.