TheBridge profile: Harini Gokul
Name: Harini Gokul
Current city: Medina, WA
Current job: Amazon Web Services, Customer Solutions Leader
Previous job: Microsoft, Director, Partner Cloud Strategy
Q. Favorite spot for a coffee meeting? Queen Bee cafe in my neighborhood (Medina WA). This is a great community gathering spot and helps they have great coffee!
Q. Describe how a skill you learned in a previous job helped you in your current job. Navigating ambiguity is a skill I have honed through my career. Especially in these evolving times, when every day brings new developments in technology and policy, navigating ambiguity and getting comfortable making decisions with limited information is an important skill.
Q. Job advice in three words? Make it happen!
Q. How are you (or your company, org, nonprofit) currently bridging the gap between innovation and regulation? I am a technology leader and investor and also a council member for my city (Medina WA). in addition, I advise companies and non profits on how to bridge technology and policy discussions.
Q. What can innovators learn from policymakers? How to set up for systemic, sustainable change.
Q. What can policymakers learn from innovators? How to move with agility, and look around the corner.
Q. Favorite book/podcast/long-form article you recommend? Too many to recommend one! Here are three books I have been reading this summer
1. You look like a thing and I love you (Janelle Shan) - A great starter book on all things AI and ML
2. Become America (Eric Liu) This is a collection of "civic sermons" on how we rehumanize our politics
3. Acting with Power (Deborah Gruenfeld) - Must read for the times when you need a extra shot of belief in yourself. Yes, you can do this!
Q. Everyday is probably different, but can you describe a "day in the life" of your job? Taking care of customers, Hiring talent, and planning for the future are my top priorities everyday. I also make sure I carve time to learn something new everyday.
Q: Why are you part of TheBridge community? Convergence of technology and policy has been happening at an accelerated pace this past decade. We started with security, privacy discussions, and are now moving to advanced tech (AI/XR) discussions. Unfortunately, these discussions often happen in silos within technology companies or within government agencies. In order to realize the full potential of technology to transform lives, we need both governments and corporations at the table. This will help create more complete and sustainable solutions that benefit all.
Q. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself in the beginning of your career? Be intentional and purposeful. Think of Careers as marathons, not sprints, and understand what you need to do, at what pace, to reach your ultimate goal.
Q: If you had to live in another city, which would it be? Our old homes in Amsterdam, NL or Segnas, CH.
Q: Which Member of Congress/local lawmaker is most tech savvy? Congresswoman Suzan Del Bene and WA State Representative Vandana Slatter are two leaders that have a deep passion and expertise in technology and are deeply thoughtful about how technology impacts their constituents. I am so proud that these strong leaders represent my state, Washington.
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