Elizabeth Alawiye

I attribute my success to who I am authentically, a people-first leader, friend, sister, and aunt. I've always had a passion for taking care of others and looking out for their well-being. For years, I assumed I had to work in healthcare to fulfill that calling. But what I've discovered in business is that you still have to take care of your employees and their well-being. it's just a different setting for the same fundamental purpose.

My career progression through diverse roles from Behavior Therapist to HR Auditor, Change Management Analyst, and now Operations Manager at Amazon reflects my ability to learn, adapt, and excel in different contexts. But the thread connecting it all is my ability to understand people on a global stage and my skill in observing and adapting to others. That's been my chameleon superpower in the corporate world.

This ability to meet people where they are has been invaluable in conflict resolution, networking, and providing accurate support to my team. Whether I'm leading 300+ associates through operational challenges or building partnerships with community organizations, I approach every interaction with genuine care for the person in front of me. That authenticity combined with data-driven insights from my organizational psychology background—allows me to create environments where people feel seen, valued, and empowered to perform at their best.

At the end of the day, operations and metrics matter, but people are what make everything work. When you lead with that truth, success follows naturally.

Three pieces of advice have fundamentally shaped my career. The first: "If you feel like you're the smartest in the room, you're in the wrong room." This taught me to always seek environments where I'm challenged and surrounded by people who push me to grow. It's why I value being around successful people doing amazing things and why I maintain a student mentality mindset. Growth happens when you're uncomfortable, not when you're comfortable. The second: "You don't get what you deserve, you get what you negotiate." This was a game changer, especially as a woman in a male-dominated field. I learned that advocating for yourself isn't aggressive, it's necessary. Whether it's negotiating salary, asking for opportunities, or speaking up in meetings, you have to be your own champion. No one is going to hand you what you've earned. You have to ask for it, negotiate for it, and stand firm in your value. And finally: "If you want to lead the orchestra, you must turn your back to the crowd." This reminds me that true leadership means making decisions that serve your team and mission, even when they're unpopular. You can't lead effectively if you're constantly seeking approval or trying to please everyone. Sometimes the right decision isn't the popular one, and that's okay. Together, these three pieces of advice remind me to stay humble and hungry, be bold and unapologetic about my worth, and lead with conviction rather than consensus.

My advice to young women entering operations: This is a male-dominated field, and I won't sugarcoat it. it can be intimidating. You'll walk into rooms where you're the only woman. You'll face moments where your confidence is mistaken for aggression, your assertiveness labeled as being "too much," and your leadership style questioned in ways your male counterparts never experience. The double bind is real: speak up and risk being called pushy; stay quiet and risk being overlooked. But here's what I've learned, your unique perspective is exactly what this industry needs. Don't shrink yourself to make others comfortable. Operations moves at lightning speed, and the urgency can feel personal, but it's the nature of the business. Develop thick skin without losing your authentic voice. Master the data to earn credibility, but never lose sight of the human element, that's your differentiator. You don't have to choose between being compassionate and being results-driven; the best leaders are both. Stand firm in your expertise, advocate for yourself and other women, and don't wait for permission to lead. The industry needs women who aren't afraid to take up space and ROAR. You belong here, now act like it.

Operations has always been about speed and precision, but we're reaching a critical inflection point. The relentless push for optimization driven by AI, automation, and real-time data analytics is creating unprecedented productivity gains, but it's also creating burnout, disengagement, and turnover. We're so focused on milliseconds and metrics that we're losing sight of the humans powering these systems. The challenge is figuring out how to maintain operational excellence while protecting the well-being and dignity of our workforce. You can't sustain peak performance if your people are running on empty.

The values that guide me are transparency, sympathy/empathy, a student mentality mindset, hard work, and resilience. I believe in always being ready to grow and know more because learning never stops. I prioritize my peace of mind and intentionally surround myself with successful people doing amazing things, because I know your environment shapes who you become. These values don't shift between boardrooms and living rooms. They're the foundation of who I am in every space I enter.