Q&A with Charlene Drayton, Sr. Product Communications Manager for Amazon Flex

Everyone, meet Charlene V. Drayton ! A native New Yorker, Charlene has been at Amazon for four years, working across multiple orgs including AWS and Amazon Private Brands. Charlene is currently the Senior Product Communications Manager on the Central Communications team for Amazon Flex. As part of her role, she works with technical teams (i.e., product managers, engineers, etc.) to develop the go-to-market (GTM) communications plans for global product launches across the Amazon Flex org.

Charlene, tell us! What is your favorite Amazon memory?

My favorite memory happened to be during my time as a Senior Product Manager for Amazon Private Brands (APB), which is the org that develops and manages Amazon’s own house of brands such as Amazon Basics, Amazon Essentials, Presto!, Happy Belly, and many others. During this time, I got to lead a special internal event in 2022 called “Ask Me Anything” with Matt Taddy, the VP of APB at the time (now VP of SCOT). This event was highly anticipated as this was the first org-wide event since the establishment of APB, and it brought employees together from all over the world both virtually and onsite to Seattle to ask top-of-mind questions and hear the long-term vision for APB directly from senior leadership. As the MC for the event, I collected and organized the questions from employees via surveys and conducted a live Q&A with Matt. Some key topics discussed included our progress on our DEI efforts, which our leaders agreed very candidly that we have a long way to go to meet our goals as a company, the impact of leadership changes within APB, and how we can continue to innovate despite the increased global scrutiny of Big Tech companies. This experience was especially memorable because this was my first time hosting a global event at Amazon, and I truly appreciated the opportunity to step outside of my normal product management role and dip back into my previous experience as a journalist and on-air personality. To sit alongside some of the most brilliant and accomplished leaders in the world and engage in thought provoking discussions is one of the many reasons why working at Amazon is life changing.

What is something innovative you have done at Amazon so far?

Before my role at Amazon Flex, I was a Senior Product Manager at Amazon Private Brands. I led the creation of Stock Up & Save, a global initiative launched in response to 2022's inflation. It offers Prime members discounts on everyday essentials from Amazon Private Brands, saving them time and money. We launched in the US in 2022 and expanded to five European countries in 2023 (UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, France), overcoming challenges like developing discovery tools and building the storefront from scratch. Developing the storefront itself also proved to be challenging as many of the storefront’s elements, including the progress bar, which is the visual indicator that show’s the customer how close they are to reaching the minimum spend to avail the discount, and various “shopping aisles” (e.g. Household Essentials, Recommended For You, Buy It Again, etc), had to be developed from scratch by our engineering and data science teams. Global expansion also proved challenging as it required translation to five languages, and close alignment with legal in all targeted countries to ensure legal and regulatory compliance.Ultimately, Stock Up & Save has continued to help customers worldwide save on essentials and has served as inspiration for other promotion programs across Amazon.

What brings you passion/excitement to your role and team?

I'm fueled by a deep passion for every stage of the product management journey, from the technical intricacies to crafting compelling marketing strategies. At Amazon, the opportunity to shape go-to-market communication plans for product launches on such a massive scale is truly unparalleled. However, what truly ignites my excitement are the collaborative moments where brilliant minds converge to brainstorm and problem-solve together. It's these instances of teamwork that make the experience truly fulfilling. I'm grateful for a team culture that values sharing insights and pushing each other to constantly excel, ensuring that every day brings new opportunities for growth and innovation.

What do you do for fun/ worklife balance?

For fun and to maintain a healthy work-life balance, I prioritize self-care activities like spa days, beauty treatments, hitting the gym, practicing yoga, and meditation. Since my work involves extensive collaboration across multiple teams, it's crucial to carve out time for myself. Living in New York City, I love exploring its incredible array of world-class restaurants and unique experiences. Additionally, travel is a big part of my life, and I usually plan 2-3 international trips each year to feed my wanderlust.

How important is diversity to you and what value does it bring?

Diversity isn't just important to me—it's the cornerstone of innovation and progress. In the dynamic world of Big Tech, we still have a journey ahead to truly embrace diversity. When our teams reflect a rich tapestry of backgrounds and perspectives, magic happens. Every voice brings a unique lens through which to view challenges and opportunities, sparking creativity and driving real innovation. As a Black woman in the tech industry, I'm acutely aware of the underrepresentation we face. Yet, I see this as an opportunity—a chance to amplify diverse voices and unlock a wealth of untapped potential. It's not just about checking boxes; it's about harnessing the power of diversity to create a brighter, more inclusive future for all. To help, I often share Amazon job postings to my HBCU (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) alumni network, offer in-depth interview preparation for candidates, and participate in mentorship opportunities for up and coming Black tech professionals.

Best place you have ever traveled?

One of the most memorable places I've ever traveled to is Barcelona, and it's hard to pick just one favorite! Barcelona captivated me with its stunning architecture, delicious cuisine, lively nightlife, and of course, the delightful Spanish wine known as cava. One of the highlights was hiking through the enchanting Park Güell, where every turn revealed breathtaking views and whimsical structures by Gaudí. For a taste of local culture, I highly recommend visiting La Xampanyeria, a charming spot known for its late-night bites and affordable cava—perfect for soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of the city.A very close second on my list is Mexico City. The food scene there is absolutely unbeatable, with mouthwatering dishes at every corner. But what truly made my experience unforgettable was the warmth and hospitality of the people, who welcomed me as if I were family. Exploring the bustling markets, admiring the colorful street art, and indulging in authentic tacos made me feel right at home in this vibrant city.

Thanks for sharing your Amazon story with us, Charlene!