Karla wong: Leading AWS in Latin America, Championing Women in Tech
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A new generation of leaders is reshaping the technology landscape in Latin America, and Karla Wong is at the forefront, driving innovation at Amazon Web Services while actively dismantling barriers for women in STEM.
Karla Wong’s journey to becoming the Education and Public Sector leader for northern Latin America and the Caribbean at AWS is a testament to resilience, strategic vision, and a lifelong curiosity. From dismantling household appliances as a child to spearheading cloud computing initiatives across multiple countries, Wong’s career embodies a commitment to problem-solving and a refusal to accept limitations.
Early Life and Education
Wong’s passion for technology ignited early, fueled by a natural inclination to understand how things work. This curiosity led her to pursue a degree in Computer and Systems Engineering.
Her determination was further tested early in her career. Coming from a family with Chinese heritage, Wong consistently had to prove her capabilities in a sector where she frequently enough felt underrepresented. A particularly stark experience occurred during a regional meeting at a European company. “When I became a manager in a European company traditionally made up of men… I went in to take my seat and one of these older managers approached me to ask me for a coffee,” Wong recounted. After directing the manager to the coffee area, he questioned weather she was even in the right meeting, assuming she was an assistant.”I didn’t no that Peru had a female manager.I thought you were someone’s assistant,” he reportedly said,a comment that underscored the pervasive biases she faced.
From Peru to Regional Leadership at AWS
Wong’s career trajectory took a significant turn during the pandemic. While travel restrictions prevented her from conducting business as usual, she seized the chance to pursue a specialization in digital change at MIT. It was during this period that Amazon reached out, offering her the opportunity to establish AWS operations in Peru.
“They hired me and I instantly had to form my team, achieving very good results,” Wong explained. Her success in Peru led to an expanded role, overseeing operations in Ecuador and Bolivia as well.Despite initial anxieties about joining a global tech giant, Wong found strength in the guidance of her father, a martial arts teacher, who reminded her that “the brave person is not the one who does not feel afraid, but the one who continues walking despite it.”
AWS and the Empowerment of Women in Tech
With over 20 years of experience in the technology sector, Wong is a vocal advocate for increasing female representation in STEM fields. She highlights AWS’s commitment to positioning women as role models, fostering a community where “Amazonians” share their stories and inspire the next generation. “There is an intention at AWS to position women as references… because what is not seen, is not dreamed of,” she stated.
AWS is actively implementing several initiatives to support women in technology, including:
- Peruvians to the Cloud: A program designed to train women in cloud fundamentals, now incorporating artificial intelligence and entrepreneurial resources.
- AWS she Builds: A 12-week mentoring program for women across Latin America, providing career growth support.
- Women in Tech Sponsorship: AWS’s global sponsorship of Women in Tech, an organization dedicated to encouraging women in STEM, and sponsorship of an award for the most disruptive woman.
A Legacy of Leadership and Innovation
Currently leading the Education and Public Sector for northern Latin America and the Caribbean at AWS, Wong brings a wealth of experience from previous roles at companies like Logicalis, Cisco Systems, Siemens, and Microsoft. She holds a Computer and systems Engineering degree from the San Martín de Porres University, a Business Management specialty from the University of La Sabana in Colombia, and a specialization in Digital Transformation from MIT.
Karla Wong’s story is a powerful reminder that overcoming obstacles and embracing innovation are essential for success in the rapidly evolving world of technology, and that fostering inclusivity is not just a matter of equity, but a catalyst for progress.
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