Sr. Technical Product Manager Sr. Technical Program Manager; Ex-AWS, Ex-Amazon
Introduction
Carrie Breckenridge’s career is a testament to the power of determination, leadership, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. With a diverse background spanning across technical product management, program development, and leadership roles in renowned organizations like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Samsung, and Lob, Carrie has carved a path of innovation and impact throughout her professional journey.
A Visionary Leader in Technical Product Management
Carrie’s journey into the realm of technical product management continued to transform in her role as a Senior Technical Product Manager at Lob. Here, she spearheaded initiatives to enhance product features and user experience, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to drive projects to fruition. Carrie’s knack for ideation and strategic planning played a pivotal role in shaping the roadmap for product development, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and customer needs.
Revolutionizing Learning Experiences at Amazon Web Services
Carrie’s tenure at Amazon Web Services (AWS) marked a significant chapter in her career, where she held key positions driving innovation and excellence in program management and technical product management. As the Program Manager of Labs, Carrie led an engineering team in developing cutting-edge solutions to empower users with hands-on learning experiences. Under her leadership, the Hands-on Lab program witnessed exponential growth, transforming the way interns and users engaged with technical content. Engaging with hands-on practice, in the form of labs, decreased the onboarding time of newly hired engineers and allowed for new hires to make an impact earlier in their tenure. Carrie’s ability to scale programs globally, foster collaboration across diverse teams, and show program and product impact highlights her exceptional leadership acumen and strategic vision.
Bridging Education and Technology
Carrie’s passion for learning and development is evidenced by her contributions as a Learning Designer, Curriculum Developer, and Program Manager. Collaborating with AWS service teams and subject matter experts at Samsung, Carrie played a pivotal role in designing and developing learning solutions that empowered learners worldwide. Her expertise in instructional design, training, and project management ensured the seamless delivery of technical training content, sales content, and product content, aligning with the evolving needs of a variety of learners in rapidly changing environments.
Pioneering Training Initiatives in Diverse Industries
Carrie’s journey is a testament to her versatility and adaptability, evident from her diverse roles in industries ranging from the restaurant industry, healthcare, and real estate. As a Training Manager and training General Manager in the restaurant industry, Carrie was the youngest and only female in that role. She traveled around Texas opening restaurants while training all new hires, new managers, and ultimately the store manager. While at First American Payment Systems, developed a new training department and created and implemented comprehensive training curricula, empowering sales teams with the knowledge and skills to excel in their roles. Similarly, her experience as a Real Estate Agent showcased her ability to navigate complex transactions and provide exceptional service to clients, underscoring her innate leadership qualities in various domains.
A Journey of Resilience and Growth
Carrie’s educational background in Economics from the University of North Texas and Texas Lutheran University laid the foundation for her analytical prowess and strategic thinking. Her journey from Marcus High School to becoming a seasoned leader in the tech industry exemplifies her relentless pursuit of excellence and continuous growth.
Leadership lessons
- Visionary Leadership: Carrie Breckenridge’s career emphasizes the importance of visionary leadership in driving innovation and impact. Leaders should possess a clear vision for their teams and organizations, inspiring others to align their efforts toward common goals and objectives.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Effective leadership entails fostering collaboration across diverse teams and departments. Carrie’s ability to collaborate with engineering, sales, support, and other stakeholders underscores the significance of breaking down silos and leveraging collective expertise to achieve success.
- Continuous Learning and Adaptability: Leaders must prioritize continuous learning and adaptability in today’s rapidly changing landscape. Carrie’s willingness to embrace new challenges, acquire new skills, and pivot between industries highlights the importance of staying agile and resilient in the face of uncertainty.
- Resilience and Determination: Carrie’s journey exemplifies the resilience and determination required to overcome obstacles and achieve success. Leaders must cultivate a growth mindset, persevere through setbacks, and maintain focus on long-term goals despite adversity.
- Empowering Others: True leadership involves empowering others to succeed. Carrie’s role in developing training curricula, mentoring junior developers, and fostering a culture of growth and development underscores the importance of investing in the growth and success of team members, ultimately driving organizational success.
Key Takeaways
- Visionary Leadership: Carrie’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of visionary leadership in driving innovation and impact.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Collaboration across diverse teams is key to success in complex technical projects, as demonstrated by Carrie’s ability to foster collaboration and alignment.
- Continuous Learning: A commitment to continuous learning and development is essential for staying relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape.
- Adaptability and Versatility: Carrie’s ability to thrive in diverse roles and industries underscores the importance of adaptability and versatility in today’s dynamic workforce.
- Resilience and Determination: Carrie’s journey is a testament to the resilience and determination required to overcome challenges and achieve success in the face of adversity.
Editorial Notes
Carrie Breckenridge’s journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring leaders across industries, showcasing the transformative impact of visionary leadership, continuous learning, and resilience in navigating challenges and driving innovation. Her story is a testament to the limitless possibilities that await those who dare to dream, persevere, and push the boundaries of what is possible.
