Allison Velez

I attribute my success to the strong women in my life who have guided and supported me, especially my mother and the mentors I've found along the way. The biggest thing that helped me navigate male-dominated spaces like Amazon and casino gaming was having strong women around me and building a community around myself. I started reaching out and creating relationships that are impactful and meaningful with other women counterparts and getting involved in employee resource groups like Women at Amazon, Latinos at Amazon, Women at Light and Wonder, and Latinos at Light and Wonder. Talking to strong female presence is very important because it gives you direction and broadens your horizon. They're able to show you vision and focal points in your career that you may not see yourself. I also believe in doing your research, studying, and staying on top of trends. Furthering my education has been crucial - I'm the first in my family to get my Master's of Business Administration, and I pride myself on continuing to grow my family's legacy and our lineage. I think nobody can take away a degree from you - you earn that. I've also learned to believe in myself and have confidence, even when people walk into rooms and downplay you or judge you based off your looks before they've even spoken to you. It's very important to gain these assets that nobody can take from you and to have strong women in your life who will be your cheerleader and say you are doing amazing. As women, we need that because we do doubt ourselves or second-guess ourselves. Your inner voice needs to talk to you and say you can do it, and even if someone downplays you, you don't stoop to that level - you continue to show up every single day with confidence and courage. Age does not define your success. If you have something to say in the room, speak up. You matter, you have an important voice, you have a seat at the table. If they placed a seat at the table for you, you have a voice and you belong there. That's what I learned being a part of employee resource groups and having a mentor and that community base. What matters is that you're trying to make an impact - that's what counts, results and impact.

The best guidance I've received about my career has come indirectly through the example of the people closest to me, particularly my mother. Her story has been the most inspirational influence in my life and has shaped how I approach both my personal and professional journey. She came to the United States in the 1980s with very limited resources and no knowledge of English, carrying a strong vision of building a better life. After leaving a small French village in Switzerland and taking a leap of faith to pursue an opportunity abroad, she worked in the travel industry, where she met her best friend, who encouraged her to move to the United States. With courage and determination, she eventually relocated to Florida, learned English, and built a new life from the ground up.

Watching her navigate every challenge with resilience and independence taught me the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and self-belief. She ultimately became a stay-at-home mother to three daughters, and that role became one of the most impactful contributions in my life. Her strength, sacrifice, and dedication to our family continue to be a foundation for who I am today. Growing up in an all-women household, I was surrounded by examples of integrity, creativity, and resilience that taught me to think independently, solve problems confidently, and trust my own instincts.

My father also played an important role in my upbringing. He was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where he was raised by my grandparents who deeply believed in the power of education and instilled that value into every generation that followed. Carrying that foundation with him, my father left the island to pursue his own American Dream, earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Miami, and went on to build a distinguished career as a Federal Air Marshal before his retirement in 2019. Although he traveled frequently, his presence and guidance were always steady. The discipline, structure, and reverence for education he brought into our home were a direct reflection of what his parents poured into him, and those values complemented the strength and resilience I learned from my mother. The belief that education is something no one can ever take from you is a lesson that runs deep in my family, and one I carry with me every single day.

My husband, whom I met while working at Amazon, has also been one of the most influential mentors in my life. Working together on the same leadership team allowed us to grow both professionally and personally. One of the things he always told me was that nothing beats hard work, and that simple truth has stayed with me through every challenge and transition in my career. His support has helped me develop greater confidence, emotional resilience, and clarity in my own identity. He has encouraged me to challenge limitations, let go of external expectations, and fully embrace who I am without hesitation.

Overall, the best career advice I've received has come from witnessing the strength, sacrifice, and belief of the people around me. Their example has taught me to stay grounded, work hard, and define success on my own terms — while never losing sight of who I am or what I value.

My first piece of advice is to find a mentor. The biggest thing that helped me navigate those spaces was having strong women around me guiding me. Build a community around yourself. Start reaching out, create relationships that are meaningful and impactful with other women, and get involved. Being part of Women at Amazon, Latinos at Amazon, Women at Light & Wonder, and Latinos at Light & Wonder gave me access to strong female voices that provided direction and expanded my perspective. You may have a limited view of what your career can look like, but the right mentors can broaden that horizon for you.

Do your research, stay on top of industry trends, and invest in your education. I am the first in my family to earn a Master of Business Administration, and I take great pride in that in continuing and growing my family's legacy. A degree is something nobody can ever take from you. You earn it.

Believe in yourself and show up with confidence. There will be moments when people underestimate you or judge you before you've even had the chance to speak. That's exactly why it's so important to build assets — knowledge, credentials, community — that no one can take away. Surround yourself with women who will champion you and remind you that you are doing amazing work. As women, we sometimes doubt ourselves or second-guess our instincts, and we need that reinforcement. Train your inner voice to say: I can do this.

When someone tries to downplay you, don't stoop to that level. Continue to show up every single day with confidence and courage. And speak up, always speak up. Age does not define your success, and it does not determine whether you belong in a room. It doesn't matter if the person next to you is twice your age or a Senior Vice President. If you have a seat at the table, you have a voice, and you belong there.

I had to learn that myself. Early in my career, I would hold back because I didn't want to overstep and then someone else would say exactly what I had been thinking. I realized my title didn't matter as much as my impact. What counts is showing up, contributing, and making a difference. Results and impact, that's what matters. That's what I would tell my younger self, and that's what I'd say to every young woman stepping into this industry today: your voice matters, so use it.

Right now, I see this stage of my career as a meaningful opportunity for continued growth, learning, and expanded leadership impact. Transitioning into the autonomous vehicle industry with Motional represents one of the most exciting professional chapters of my life. AV technology is reshaping how people and goods move through the world, and being part of that mission in bringing operational discipline and project leadership to an industry built on innovation is something I don't take lightly.

The biggest challenge in this space, and honestly one of the biggest opportunities, is the pace of change. Autonomous vehicle development sits at the intersection of software engineering, hardware, regulatory complexity, and public trust. As a project manager, my role is to bring structure, clarity, and momentum to environments where the variables are constantly shifting. That requires not just technical fluency, but strong stakeholder communication, risk management, and the ability to align diverse teams around a shared vision skills I've spent my entire career building.

I also see a significant opportunity in the broader conversation around who gets to lead in emerging technology. Women and women of color are still underrepresented in fields like AV, AI, and advanced engineering. I believe strongly that diverse leadership teams make better decisions, build better products, and create more inclusive outcomes. Being intentional about mentorship, sponsorship, and community-building in these spaces isn't just personally meaningful to me, I think it's strategically essential for the industry.

Beyond my technical work, I draw deep motivation from my family, my community, and the values that have guided me throughout my journey. Those connections keep me grounded and remind me why the work matters. Looking ahead, I'm excited to continue growing in my career, deepening my impact at Motional, and using my experiences to open doors for others who are navigating their own paths in this industry. The milestones I've reached are worth celebrating but I'm most energized by what's still ahead.

The most important values to me are being a role model and provider, especially as a mother of three boys. Having kids changed my whole life and perspective - they brought me so much and changed my outlook on life. I really began to grow a voice with them to be the protector and provider, and that's what really changed me in the workplace too. When I see younger women or younger men or even all ages that need motivation or to be picked up or to grow into their roles, I want to be that person that can provide that for them and support them. Outside of work, I spend the majority of my time with my boys, my husband, and my stepson. They're at all different stages and walks of life, but I want to be that person that supports their growth and their journey. I'm very passionate about my family being international - my dad is from Puerto Rico and my mom's from Switzerland, from the French part. Having those two different cultures is the best of both worlds, and having that perspective and outlook from my mother and father and how I grew up really strongly impacted me on life. That's what I want to bring to my boys and my stepson as well. I also value continuous improvement - I want to continue to grow and continue to learn. After getting my Master's of Business Administration, I really think it's very important to continue to have continuous improvement, not only professionally but personally as well. I'm pursuing my law degree and studying for the LSAT now. The biggest thing I pride myself on is just continuing to grow, continuing to learn. I also value honoring my family and honoring who I am as a person. My mom always taught me to tell the truth, because if you tell the truth, they'll know that you're honest versus telling a lie where they can't trust you. I learned those small life lessons through her. I represent our household, I represent our stature, and I think that's the biggest thing - honoring that, honoring your family, honoring who you are as a person. I think those are the biggest keys to being a successful woman and a confident woman.