Teresa Carlson is the founder and leader of Amazon Web Services (AWS) Worldwide Public Sector, and one of the most accomplished and forwarding-thinking technology leaders in the world today. Through her charismatic leadership, Carlson has helped change mindsets of both individuals and organizations around the world, modernize policies at all levels of government and cultivate a 21st century global workforce equipped with the skillset necessary to leverage the full potential of cloud to drive innovation.  

Carlson founded the Worldwide Public Sector in 2010, and since then has driven the business’ growth. Today, more than 4,000 government agencies, more than 9,000 education institutions and more than 24,000 nonprofit organizations around the world use AWS. Additionally, Carlson advises Amazon Public Policy on global policy issues.

Carlson has also been a strong advocate for empowering women in the technology field. That passion lead to the creation of "We Power Tech," AWS's diversity and inclusion initiative, which aims to ensure underrepresented groups - including women - are reflected throughout all AWS outreach efforts. Less than two years after launching the program, We Power Tech has engaged more than 1,000 individuals across 8 countries worldwide.

Carlson has over 20 years of executive experience, and has earned industry recognition for her leadership. In 2019, she was inducted into the Wash100, a premier group of public and private sector leaders with expertise in the government space. Carlson is a Founding Board Member of the Halcyon House Board of Directors, and has previously been named one of Business Insider’s Most Important People in Cloud Computing, as well as Washingtonian’s “100 Most Powerful Women.” Northern Virginia Technology Council has named Carlson “Tech Exec of the Year,” and she is a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, presented annually to individuals whose accomplishments in their field and inspired service to our nation are cause for celebration.

Carlson dedicates time to philanthropic and leadership roles in support of the global community. This includes service as Chairwoman of the White House Historical Association’s Council on History, a member of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, member of the International Women’s Forum, advisor to Georgetown University’s Hacking Defense Program, and advisory board member to George Mason University’s National Security Institute.

She also serves as a member of the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children Board of Directors, the Chairman’s Advisory Council for the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region, the Economic Club of Washington, D.C. Board of Directors, Northern Virginia Tech Council Board of Directors, Wolf Trap Foundation Board of Directors and the USO of Metropolitan Washington Board of Directors.

Prior to joining AWS, Carlson served as Vice President of Microsoft Federal Government, where she oversaw the company’s US Federal Government business. She held a variety of positions at Microsoft including General Manager of the US Civilian Agencies and NGO’s; Director of the US Federal Solutions Unit, responsible for the Federal solutions framework and the US Federal partner channel that consisted of more than 2,500 Microsoft partners; and US Federal Director of Strategy and Operations.

Before moving into technology, Carlson specialized in health care, as a practitioner and consultant initially, then as a business manager and area vice president. In these roles, she was responsible for national accounts, marketing, and business development. During this time, she led customers through numerous transformations, including Joint Commission certifications and significant payment system changes.

Carlson earned her undergraduate and Masters of Science degrees in Communications and Speech and Language Pathology from Western Kentucky University.