In the lead-up to International Women’s Day, Amazon’s Toronto Tech Hub hosted an inspiring discussion featuring a panel of female leaders who shared a unique set of perspectives on how women are leading on the ice, at the office and in the field.
In honour of Prime Video’s broadcast partnership with the Professional Women’s Hockey league, featuring exclusive live coverage of all 16 Tuesday night games, Toronto Sceptres assistant coach Rachel Flanagan headlined the discussion. An alumna of the University of Guelph – where she also spent 16 seasons as head coach of the women’s hockey team, winning a U SPORTS national championship, three OUA titles, and five OUA Coach of the Year awards – Rachel shared her first-hand experience behind the bench as the PWHL makes history on and off the ice.
Moderated by Julia Tocheri, co-host of the Jocks in Jills podcast, Rachel was joined by a slate of female leaders from Amazon in Canada, including Allison Siperco, Alexa Canada Country Manager; Nish Parameswaran, Senior Regional Manager at Amazon Logistics (AMZL); and Isabella Alves Figueiredo, Site Leader at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Bolton, ON. Drawing on their diverse range of professional experiences – from professional sports to logistics and technology - the panel reflected on their career journeys, and shared their wisdom for the next generation.
The panel’s key takeaways:
- Ask for a seat at the table (or behind the bench): Growing in your career, and as a leader, means seeking out opportunities that interest you – and never be afraid to raise your hand and ask to be included. It’s also important to build a relationship with your manager to help them advocate for you when you’re not in the room – so make sure they are on top of your latest tasks and accomplishments.
- Stay connected with your community: Access to mentors and strong professional networks empowers women to navigate challenges and advance in their careers. Beyond mentorship, make it a habit to stay connected with your broader network through informal coffee chats and touch bases that pave the way for experience and opportunity-sharing down the road. Maintaining authentic connections is always worth the time investment.
- Collaborative partnerships drive change: Joint efforts between organizations like Amazon and the PWHL enhance representation and create meaningful opportunities for women across industries and inspire future generations.
Join the Movement
Tune in to watch Tuesday night PWHL matchups exclusively on Prime Video to support and celebrate the incredible talent in women’s hockey. By watching, you contribute to the growing visibility and recognition of women’s sports, helping to inspire future generations.
Watch PWHL Tuesday Night Hockey on Prime Video here.
