Confidence isn't one bold move. It's speaking up before you feel ready, again and again, until courage becomes second nature.
Amanda Rodgers, MBA · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Amanda
Amanda Rodgers, MBA, is a global sales and go-to-market leader specializing in revenue growth, strategic partnerships, and building high-performing, scalable commercial organizations. She currently serves as Head of Sales and Go-to-Market Strategy at Kintsugi, where she is responsible for shaping and executing the company’s sales strategy, accelerating pipeline growth, and aligning cross-functional teams to drive ecosystem-led expansion. Known for combining operational rigor with a people-centered leadership style, she focuses on building strong, accountable cultures that deliver sustainable performance. Amanda began her career at Lenovo in 2007, where she spent approximately 11 years advancing through roles in inside sales support, field sales, and large enterprise account leadership. Over the course of her tenure, she progressed into sales operations and leadership roles, including Country Manager responsibilities focused on partner contracts and go-to-market strategy for multi-regional business operations. During this time, she also earned her Executive MBA from UNC Kenan-Flagler, strengthening her expertise in strategy, leadership, and enterprise transformation. She later led mid-market sales at Red Hat, driving strong revenue growth and team performance, before joining Avalara, where she built and scaled a global sales development organization before leading strategic partnerships and alliances, helping strengthen ecosystem growth and long-term business relationships. Throughout her career, Amanda has been recognized for her ability to scale teams, accelerate revenue performance, and develop future leaders across complex, fast-growing organizations. She is passionate about mentoring talent, fostering inclusive and high-performance cultures, and aligning organizations around clear, measurable growth strategies. Among her greatest professional accomplishments is seeing the people she has mentored grow into leadership roles, advance their careers, and achieve their own goals. Her work consistently reflects a balance of strategic vision and hands-on execution, with a focus on building durable business impact through strong teams and trusted partnerships.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Amanda
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a commitment to listening, continuous learning, and empowering others to develop their own problem-solving capabilities. Early in my leadership journey, I focused heavily on directly solving challenges for my teams, but over time I learned that greater impact comes from coaching people to think critically and equipping them with the tools to solve problems independently. My approach is centered on being a strong supporter and advocate removing barriers where needed while encouraging ownership, accountability, and growth so individuals and teams can succeed with confidence and long-term capability.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is the importance of staying open to growth, opportunity, and continuous learning while building confidence to take on new challenges. While I don’t point to a single defining piece of advice or mentor, I’ve been fortunate to learn from many leaders who reinforced the value of professional development, adaptability, and resilience throughout my career. Those experiences have shaped how I lead today encouraging others to step into stretch opportunities, stay curious, and build confidence through action rather than perfection. In turn, I try to pay that forward by supporting and mentoring others, especially women navigating their own career paths, so they feel equipped and empowered to grow.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to speak up, stay confident in your perspective, and never underestimate the value of your voice. Early in your career, it can be easy to hesitate or feel unsure, but your insights matter and deserve to be heard. In many cases, the most valuable ideas come from fresh thinking and asking questions that challenge the status quo. Don’t be afraid of judgment contribute, stay curious, and trust that your perspective adds meaningful value to every conversation.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now is the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and how it is reshaping the way work is done across sales, operations, and go-to-market strategy. While AI brings tremendous potential for efficiency, insight, and scale, many practical use cases are still evolving, and organizations are still learning how to apply it effectively and responsibly. At the same time, there is a growing need for professionals especially those early in their careers to understand how their skills align with this new landscape. The key is to embrace AI as a tool, stay curious, and actively build fluency, because it is not going away and will continue to be a defining force in how industries operate and grow.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, collaboration, continuous improvement, and a deep commitment to helping others succeed. I believe strong leadership is rooted in creating opportunities for others, prioritizing team success over individual recognition, and fostering an environment where people can do their best work. I also value hard work, accountability, and lifelong learning, as they are essential to sustained growth and performance. A key part of my approach is mentoring and empowering others particularly women in the workplace to reach their full potential and build confidence in their own leadership journey.
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