Interview with Edge Women of the Year Finalist. Amanda Marrs – Senior Director of Product at AMP Robotics
In the lead-up to Edge Computing World, we’re taking some time to speak to this year’s finalists for The Edge Women of the Year Award.
Today we’re talking to Amanda Marrs, Senior Director of Product at AMP Robotics
- How do you see the edge market developing over the next few years?
The adoption of edge technologies in industrial applications has grown tremendously over the last decade. Within the recycling industry specifically, edge technologies have enabled artificial intelligence to constantly improve the commodity sortation process and add new levels of detail with remote deployment to the edge. Trends we are excited about over the next 5-10 years include further growth of fast and efficient deep-learning networks, further expansion of edge inference to cover the entire sortation process, and combining edge and cloud capabilities for new insights. For our customers, this unlocks profitability by driving revenue up and cost down by connected AI to drive robots for sortation.
- How does diversity benefit the edge environment?
The edge is inherently diverse with a wide range of applications and environments. A diverse workforce enables us to match this complex environment driving innovation, ways of working, and creative problem solving. In addition, diversity leads to empathy for our environment, each other, and our customers, helping us build technology that adds value.
- Tell us one lesson you’ve learned that’s unique to being a female leader in the Edge space.
Throughout my career, the value of effective communication has continuously been reaffirmed. As a leader in technology, I’ve learned that enabling this communication comes from asking deep questions, facilitating communication cross-functionally, and providing clear direction. While these are not lessons unique to gender, I’ve found being a leader in the Edge space requires me to lean on my communication skills to enable effective and fast-moving teams in an even faster-moving technology space.
- What advice would you give to other women entering the edge space?
Be authentic to yourself. There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to leadership, but inauthenticity is easily detected and will quickly erode the trust of your team. In addition, don’t ask permission for a seat at the table; show up early and take a seat because you know you have something to contribute.
- What are some ways in which you have helped to support and lift other women in the space up?
I strongly believe in the importance of giving back, whether it’s donating my time or sharing the experiences and lessons learned that have helped me as I’ve grown in my career. I’ve volunteered for organizations including Girl Scouts of America, Food Lifeline, and various employee resource groups sponsored by my employers, with a particular passion for those working to support and advance women’s career development. Since 2017, I have mentored eight females in tech looking to develop careers in product management. In addition, I participate frequently in community events including webinars and panel sessions to increase understanding of the recycling industry and edge technology to benefit others in their career journey.
