Grace Velker

Initiator
DISC Type : Di

International Assignment - Global Expansion at Amazon Web Services (AWS)

San Francisco, California, United States

Overview

Grace Velker is a tech executive at AWS who built and scaled its US ISV Greenfield business from zero to $100M ARR in two years. With a background at IBM and an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis, she excels in GTM strategy, P&L management, and people-first leadership. Colleagues describe her as brilliant, powerful, and strategic.

Based in San Francisco, Grace is a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, serving on the Global Board of Women at AWS. She actively advises and supports the startup ecosystem, including her husbands YC-backed venture, OpenWrench. She is also noted as being bilingual and enjoys connecting with new people and experiences.

Unique fact: She was appointed as the single-threaded executive to create, launch, and scale a brand new business segment within Amazon Web Services.

Personality Overview

Conviction Driven

Friendly Challenger

Impact-Oriented

They respond well to objective pitches but also attach some value to relationships.  They measure a product on its merit but can be influenced by strong testimonials. They usually prefer to drive the conversation.

Topics They Care About

Startup Scalability
Her core role at AWS involves launching and scaling high-potential ISV and AI startups, a focus she also applies as a strategic advisor to global founders.
Generative AI
Holds an AWS Generative AI certification and focuses on the next top AI companies. She also discusses how PE and VC operators are driving AI-enabled value creation.
People-First Leadership
Emphasizes a "purpose-driven people first leadership" approach in her work, a theme consistently highlighted in the recommendations she has received from colleagues.

Media Appearances

Grace has no verified media appearances

Work History

1-2026
International Assignment - Global Expansion at Amazon Web Services (AWS)
10-2025
Startup advisor - GTM, Product and Operations at Crest Collective
11-2023
Head of US ISV Greenfield at Amazon Web Services (AWS)
8-2022 - 11-2023
Principal Sales Leader - West, US Greenfield at Amazon Web Services (AWS)
3-2021 - 8-2022
General Manager, West at SoftwareONE

Education

Master of Business Administration(MBA) from Washington University in St. Louis
Master of Accounting from Washington University in St. Louis

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 15 Location : San Francisco, California, United States Job Level : Mid-senior Designation : International Assignment - Global Expansion at Amazon Web Services (AWS)
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Insights For Selling To Grace

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Focus on the big picture and the strategic value of your product
  • Acknowledge their status and position during the conversation
  • Look like someone who is on top of their game

DONT's

  • Don’t keep repeating the same information, it could make them impatient
  • Avoid focusing only on the product or its ROI, keep building trust subtly
  • Don’t be too verbose or overly friendly; a little bit, however, is fine

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with Grace is

  • Confidence in the product’s value is critical, followed by relationship and a sense of achievement.
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from Grace

  • They will not hesitate to say no if they do not develop conviction.

Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will Grace move?

  • If they develop confidence in your product and you, then they can make fast decisions.
  • Can Grace take some risk or not?

  • If necessary, they have the ability to take risky decisions.

You And Grace

Personality Compatibility


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