Mariangela Marseglia, vice president and general manager of Amazon in Spain, Italy, and Portugal since 2018, emphasizes the importance of balance in her speech regarding the company, the individual, work, and family. With a focus on growing the company by applying the right strategies, Marseglia faces the challenge of overseeing a significant investment in Spain, with over 22,000 employees and 15,000 businesses utilizing the platform for sales. Raised in a modest family in Ostuni, Italy, she values hard work and education, grounding her in her roots in Apulia.
Having graduated summa cum laude in Economics and Management from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, Marseglia brings over ten years of experience in consulting, marketing, and business development in multinational companies to her role. She emphasizes the importance of balancing work and personal life, particularly for women who often sacrifice their aspirations for family responsibilities. As a married mother with a young son, she has established boundaries, dedicating weekends and vacations to family time and pursuing hobbies like photography, gardening, and beekeeping.
Marseglia’s interest in individual importance and societal roles is reflected in her favorite book, ‘Stoner’ by John Williams, which tells the story of an ordinary man’s life, career, relationships, and passions. She believes that history is shaped by ordinary people rather than heroes, highlighting the significance of each individual in society. Drawing parallels to the organized structure of bees, she values the collective work of normal individuals in building a community.
With a global shift in human behavior and consumption patterns, Marseglia stresses the importance of taking proactive measures towards a sustainable future. Amazon aims to use 100% renewable energy globally by 2025, with 90% already attributed to renewable sources in 2022. She advocates for continuous education, especially with a focus on multidisciplinary skills, to prepare younger generations for the evolving landscape impacted by artificial intelligence.
Understanding the significance of personal and brand image, Marseglia emphasizes the importance of reputation in today’s world. By projecting authenticity and embracing imperfections, she believes in presenting a genuine version of oneself to others. In her role overseeing operations in Spain, Italy, and Portugal, she acknowledges the similarities and differences in the e-commerce dynamics, with Spain being slightly ahead in terms of digital tools and startups compared to Italy.
Amazon’s efforts to support small and medium-sized businesses in Spain through initiatives like ‘Spain a un Clic’ and a training program for 50,000 Spanish SMEs and entrepreneurs reflect the company’s commitment to fostering growth and innovation. Marseglia’s leadership and strategic vision aim to enhance customer experiences and drive progress in countries that share similarities but also unique characteristics. Through collaborative efforts and forward-thinking plans, the journey continues towards collective success in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
