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Becoming AWSome

AWS Twitch Podcast where Amazon Insiders introduce you to The Humans of AWS

Becoming AWSome
"Becoming AWSome," hosted by Ray Thomas & Jenna Lass, is a live weekly show on AWS’s Twitch Channel (www.Twitch.tv/AWS), which premiered on Feb. 7th, 2023. On April 24th, 2024, their program scaled, multicasting to both AWS's Twitch Channel and AWS Careers YouTube Channel (YouTube.com/@awscareers). It offers viewers an unscripted, behind-the-scenes insight into AWS's culture and opportunities. Distinctively, it's the first Talent Acquisition-focused podcast on the AWS channel, carving out a unique audience niche amidst other tech-centric shows centered on AWS’s services.
Diving deep into professional experience and personal interests, Amazon insiders introduce audiences to the "Humans of AWS," showcasing the brilliant minds and passionate hearts that power AWS. It's a rare glimpse into the personalities and innovators shaping the future of cloud computing.

Meet your Hosts 🎤

Ray Thomas the happy go lucky guy at AWS known for his custom AWS swag including high top sneakers and sourcing chops. He's been a technical recruiter for over 25 years, currently at AWS for 5. Ray initially joined to build the Solutions Architect organization within the Worldwide Specialist Org (WWSO) and Worldwide Public Sector (WWPS). He recently joined AIS (AWS Infrastructure Services) building out SDE teams within Perimiter Protection. But guess what? He’s got a super cool side too! Ray is a WWE Superfan, alongside his 14 year old daughter, Leah! Imagine a room filled with shiny wrestling belts, autographed photos, and loads of cool figurines - that's Ray's world! When he's not cheering on the wrestlers at live shows with Leah, he's chilling in the middle of the ocean, fishing rod in hand, enjoying the sunrise. Oh, and he also loves his camera, freezing memorable moments in time whenever he can.
Jenna Lass the Principal Recruiter at AWS who's been rocking it at Amazon for over 10 years. Jenna isn't just great at her job and enjoys setting up great hiring processes for success; she's a superstar mentor, guiding and inspiring others to aim high. But there's so much more to her! Jenna's a free spirit at heart, soaking up the beauty of nature in upstate New York. She's all about finding her zen with yoga and unwinding at spa retreats. Family means the world to her, and so do her adorable dogs, each named after guitar brands (how cool is that?). Jenna’s life? It's a wonderful blend of nurturing careers, embracing the outdoors, and living every moment with love and laughter!
If you have any ideas, suggestions, comments, feel free to email us.

Schedule

Come learn live with us as we meet incredible HUMANS at AWS for the first time as well! We stream every Tuesday at 2:30pm ET.

Episodes

EpisodeGuestTitleDateLink to Show Notes
S08E03Harith GaddamanuguSr. Specialist Solutions Architect, Edge Services, AWS2024-07-16Show Notes
S08E02Purva UpasakPrincipal Customer Solutions Manager2024-06-25Show Notes
S08E01Raian Osman, Marcellus Martin - BENterns Co-foundersSolutions Architect, Partner Sales Manager NPO2024-06-18Show Notes
S07E04 AISKristina BartleyData Center Operations Cluster Manager2024-07-09Show Notes
S07E03 AISLarkland Brady, Ashia OgunladeLead Data Center Electrical Engineer AIS, Associate Solutions Architect, AWS, UK2024-07-02Show Notes
S07E02 AISLes Williams, Adhish BhobeSr. Infrastructure/Interconnection Business Developer, Sr. Product Manager, Tech, Amazon Route 532024-06-04Show Notes
S07E01 AISJess Szmajda, Sarah McComb, Maria Papaleo: Network EngineeringGM AWS Firewall Manager, Principal Backbone Developer, UX Manager2024-05-28Show Notes
S06E07David RyderSpecialist Solutions Architecture Manager, SLG/EDU, AI/ML2024-05-21Show Notes
S06E06Mony KiemPrincipal Solutions Architect, Global Financial Services2024-05-14Show Notes
S06E05Shirin BhambhaniSenior Solutions Architect, AWS Industries, Telco2024-05-07Show Notes
S06E04Faisal FareedPrincipal Solutions Architect, Global Financial Services2024-04-30Show Notes
S06E03Daniel RhimSoftware Development Manager, Amazon Connect2024-04-23Show Notes
S06E02Darko MesarosPrincipal Developer Advocate and Host of Build On2024-04-16Show Notes
S06E01Scott D. Epter, Ph.D.Senior Analytics Solutions Architect Leader2024-04-02Show Notes
S05E04Natalia Basante, Shwetha Radhakrishnan & Racquell FullerSolution Architects, Women in CSA, Women's History Month2024-03-26Show Notes
S05E03Arianna Burgman & Shantel JohnsonSolution Architects, Women in CSA, Women's History Month2024-03-19Show Notes
S05E02Rachael Wang & Bianca BuckrideeAWS Gen Ai Innovation Center, Women's History Month2024-03-12Show Notes
S05E01Shalu Nigam, Alysha Perisho, Aisha Lawrey, Christina MitineWomen at Amazon, Women's History Month2024-03-05Show Notes
S04E08Darius Robinson, Cash Ashley, Matthew RuitersBlack Employee Network, BEN Tech & Ben-DMV2024-02-27Show Notes
S04E07Swapnil SinghSolution Architect, Govtech Women at Amazon & Game Day2024-02-20Show Notes
S04E07Dave OrwickMigration & Modernization, Partner Leader, Americas2024-02-13Show Notes
S04E06Jim KimSr. Manager, Product Acceleration, EdTech & GovTech2024-02-06Show Notes
S04E05Harrison SherwinTechnical Instructor and Team Lead2024-01-30Show Notes
S04E04Yudhajeet DasguptaSolutions Architect Manager, Space & Satellite2024-01-24Show Notes
S04E03Alioune ThiamSr. Systems Development Engineer & BR2024-01-16Show Notes
S04E02Laura WattsPrincipal CSM & BR2024-01-09Show Notes
S03E29Sara KleimanSr. Program Manager & BR2023-12-19Show Notes
S03E10Andrew Greaves & Mary NielsonSr. Managers, Solutions Architecture, SLG/EDU2023-09-05Show Notes