Katayoun Shahrokhi
Katayoun Shahrokhi is a Senior Proposal Manager and Strategic Pursuits Leader at Amazon Web Services, where she leads high-impact, competitive pursuits across Latin America’s public sector. Based in Washington, D.C., she specializes in managing complex, multi-country proposal strategies, with deep expertise in Brazil and the broader LATAM region. Recognized for her ability to translate technical solutions into compelling, client-focused narratives, she has delivered transformational results, including securing landmark government contracts and significantly improving win rates and delivery performance. As a GenAI Innovation Champion and AWS Certified AI Practitioner, she is also advancing the integration of artificial intelligence into strategic proposal development.
Her professional journey spans approximately 20 years across international development, nonprofit leadership, and technology. She began her career focused on global development and social impact, working with organizations such as Executives Without Borders, the United States Chamber of Commerce, and Population Services International to support underserved communities and public sector initiatives. While she initially aspired to become a physician, she ultimately chose a path that would allow her to make a broader impact while maintaining balance across other important areas of life. This decision led her to build a career centered on public-private partnerships, healthcare-focused initiatives, and sustainable development programs, which later expanded into a broader portfolio of global impact work. She has lived and worked extensively abroad, including six years in Brazil and nearly a year in Chile, and has traveled widely throughout Latin America and beyond.
Shahrokhi holds a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University. A multilingual professional fluent in English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, and Farsi, she is known for her collaborative leadership style, cross-cultural expertise, and ability to align diverse stakeholders toward shared goals. In addition to her corporate role, she serves as President of the Board for the Center for Research and International Development (CenRID), supporting healthcare programs across multiple countries in Africa, and is actively engaged in mentoring and women’s leadership initiatives. She is currently furthering her expertise through a certificate program in generative AI and digital transformation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, reflecting her ongoing commitment to innovation, learning, and impact.
• Certificate, Applied Generative AI for Digital Transformation
• AWS Certified AI Practitioner
• Georgetown University - BA
• Columbia | SIPA -Master of International Affairs
• CenRID, Center For Research & International Development
• Instituto Bola Pra Frente
• Associação Saúde Criança / Brazil Child Health
• Center for Digital Inclusion
• Columbia University in the City of New York
• Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN)
• Viva Rio
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a consistent commitment to being the best version of myself each day, coupled with a strong dedication to continuous learning and professional growth. I actively seek out opportunities to expand my knowledge, embrace new challenges, and push beyond my comfort zone, all while remaining focused on making a meaningful impact in the work that I do. This mindset has enabled me to adapt, grow, and deliver results across diverse environments and experiences. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy traveling, spending time outdoors, and engaging with music, which provide balance, inspiration, and a renewed sense of perspective.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is that what you put into your team is what you will get back—if you lead with positivity, you will foster positivity in return. This has reinforced the importance of leading by example, setting the tone through integrity, respect, and a solutions-oriented mindset. By consistently modeling the behaviors and attitudes I value, I have been able to build stronger, more collaborative teams that are motivated to perform at their best and support one another in achieving shared goals.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering this industry to lead with compassion and clarity, recognizing that clear thinking and communication are essential to driving meaningful results. Support one another authentically—strong, collaborative relationships create lasting impact and open doors that might otherwise remain closed. Seek opportunities to grow internationally, broaden your perspective, and embrace diverse experiences, as they will strengthen both your professional capabilities and personal development. Above all, focus on making a difference every day, no matter how small, and let that purpose guide your decisions and career path.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest opportunities in my field right now is expanding our reach to connect with more businesses and individuals, helping them grow stronger, operate more effectively, and build meaningful connections. At the same time, a key challenge lies in increasing awareness particularly among nonprofit organizations that the resources, expertise, and support they need are readily available. Bridging this gap requires intentional outreach, clear communication, and a continued focus on making our services accessible, relevant, and impactful for those who can benefit most.
What 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 kindness and respect for others, maintaining an open mind to new ideas and perspectives, and embracing creativity in how I approach challenges and opportunities. I also place a strong emphasis on being goal-oriented, setting clear intentions, and following through with discipline and purpose. Together, these values guide how I interact with others, make decisions, and continue to grow both professionally and personally.