Influential Woman · Operations Management
Jessica Espinoza
Area Manager, Amazon warehouse
Chicago, IL 60609
Her Story
About Jessica
Jessica Espinoza serves as an Area Manager at an Amazon warehouse in the Chicago area, overseeing operations for a team of over 400 associates in fulfillment and same-day delivery. She began her career in sales at Nordstrom, advancing to assistant department manager, before transitioning to Amazon in 2021. Espinoza earned a bachelor's degree in accounting and marketing as a double major from Roosevelt University in December 2019 and is currently pursuing an MBA with a concentration in finance. She holds multiple certifications in leadership and escalation. Her professional focus includes operations management, leadership development, DEI initiatives, and employee engagement within the warehouse. Outside her role, Espinoza is actively involved in community efforts, serving as vice president of ALAS at Roosevelt University and volunteering with the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute to support higher education for first-generation Latinos. She has also established networks for donating warehouse items to local nonprofits. Espinoza attributes her success to hard work, proactivity, recognizing opportunities and privilege, and the strong support of her family. She advises investing in oneself and connecting with others who have navigated similar paths.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jessica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work, being proactive, and counting my blessings. There is a lot of adversity but also opportunity, and recognizing opportunity and my own privilege is key. My family is my backbone and support network, allowing me to do what I do. It's important to remain humble because there's always room to grow.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is that an investment in yourself is an investment well made. You can support anybody else if you're not doing well yourself. The more skills you acquire, the more you can teach and offer.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Get connected. There's somebody who has already done what you've done and done it really well. You can learn from those people or do it on your own which will take longer and be more frustrating. There are more people willing to help than those who are not.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In Operations Management there are very broad opportunities but the responsibility is just as big. Once you own something the more you want to achieve the more responsibility falls on your shoulders. It's important to understand what you're willing to put out and identify your priorities whether career development, family, or community.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
People and family are most important. Family is everything. My hard-working Mexican parents supported me and instilled the value that education is important and opens opportunities. Without them I wouldn't have the opportunities I have today.
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