Amazon CEO acknowledges lack of Black leaders in inner memo

Amazon CEO acknowledges loss of Black leaders in internal memo - CNBC

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy speaks throughout the GeekWire Summit in Seattle on Oct. 5, 2021.

David Ryder | Bloomberg | Getty Pictures

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy acknowledged shedding two high Black executives, who led warehouses and transportation, in an organization e mail Tuesday evening.

Jassy’s e mail sang the executives’ praises, including that he is “really sorry to see them go away as they each have added vital worth to the corporate.” The observe was beforehand reported by Seattle tech weblog Geekwire.

Jassy’s acknowledgement Tuesday evening got here after the corporate introduced this week that Alicia Boler-Davis, senior vp of world buyer success and a member of the corporate’s management workforce, and David Bozeman, VP of Amazon Transportation Companies, could be departing the corporate.

“Although we’ve made substantial progress in hiring Stage 8 and Stage 10 black leaders the final two years, it’s not misplaced on any of us that we’re shedding two of our most senior black leaders,” Jassy’s e mail continued.

Their departures got here after Amazon introduced earlier this month that CEO of Worldwide Client Dave Clark will resign on July 1. On Tuesday, Jassy introduced longtime Amazon govt Doug Herrington will take over the patron enterprise as the brand new chief govt of Worldwide Amazon Shops. Boler-Davis was within the working to be a possible successor.

Each have been among the many firm’s few high Black executives. Boler-Davis was the one Black member of Amazon’s “S-team,” which is the corporate’s senior management workforce.

Amazon has made progress on variety in its govt ranks in recent times, however nonetheless solely 5.5% of its senior leaders have been Black as of the top of 2021, in response to firm information.

“We’ve a number of work left to do,” Jassy’s e mail concluded.

Right here was Jassy’s entire observe:

Suspect that you simply all noticed the org bulletins earlier in the present day.

Coincident with these adjustments, Alicia Boler Davis and Dave Bozeman have determined to depart Amazon. I am really sorry to see them go away as they each have added vital worth to the corporate.

Alicia joined Amazon at a loopy time (we have been simply launching 1-day Prime), and it solely obtained tougher with the pandemic the final two years. There is not any approach we may have almost doubled our Achievement community the final two years with out Alicia’s steadfast and tenacious management. She has taught us so much in three years at Amazon, has been a worthwhile steam member, and I am very recognize of her contribution and work. Equally, Dave has been right here slightly over 5 years and constructed out our center mile community, which has been an integral a part of our transportation functionality. There isn’t a transportation community as we all know it in the present day with out Dave’s management and steering. I’ve a number of respect for them each, we are going to miss them, and I do know that the businesses the place they subsequent settle shall be very lucky.

Although we have made substantial progress in hiring Stage 8 and Stage 10 black leaders the final two years, it is not misplaced on any of us that we’re shedding two of our most senior black leaders. Change typically brings about different adjustments, and it is typically difficult to navigate a few of these shifts. However, I’m (as I do know the remainder of s workforce is) dedicated to persevering with to rent and develop black senior leaders, in addition to leaders in different under-represented segments. We’ve a number of significant management roles on the firm, and we’re working arduous to develop into as numerous and inclusive as we want. We’ve a number of work left to do. We’ll stay vigilant about it whereas all the time ensuring we make the best selections for purchasers and the enterprise.

Please be happy to share with workforce members as useful.

Andy


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