Maria Hess
Head of Venture Platform at Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Greater Seattle Area
Overview
Work Experience
Head of Platform
2023 - Current
With deep experience in early-stage company building and the startup ecosystem, we provide business and technical acumen, GTM playbooks, AWS and Amazon connectivity, and peer-centered communities to support leaders on their journey to building enduring companies.
Head of Startup Programs
2022 - 2023
I lead the team that builds AWS Startup Programs for venture-backed (and venture-scale) founders/CxOs.
Amazon Web Services provides information technology infrastructure services to businesses in the form of web services.
Partner
2019 - 2022
I led the validation, customer discovery, zero-to-1 product traction, investment analysis/memo, and development of playbooks for early-stage startups, including product-market fit (PMF), product-led growth (PLG), and go-to-market (GTM). In partnership with founders, I build and invest in companies in areas such as AI/ML, future of work, low/no code, and process automation.
Madrona Venture Labs is a startup studio that builds companies from scratch.
Raised $30,300,000.00 from Elie Seidman, Madrona, Ralph Pascualy, Mike McSherry, Chad Cohen, Jon Gelsey, Elissa Fink, Court Lorenzini, Erik Blachford and WestRiver Group.
Vice President, Marketing
2017 - 2018
I joined Likewise in its early stages to drive the successful launch of this Bill Gates-funded startup, focused on delivering trusted entertainment, dining, and travel recommendations. As the leader the GTM team, I drove all aspects of earned, owned, and paid media including PR, positioning, app store optimization (ASO), social media, influencer outreach, email, and paid acquisition. Media/PR trained to participate in a live on-camera interview inside NYSE with Cheddar TV.
Likewise Software provides identity management solutions to achieve security compliances of businesses in mixed network environments.
Raised $32,500,000.00 from Ignition Partners, Trinity Ventures, Intel Capital, Intel Capital and Trinity Ventures.
Chief Revenue Officer
2012 - 2017
(Acquired by Shutterstock) I joined PicMonkey, a design and photo-editing platform, as the Director of Monetization and earned a series of promotions, from Head of Growth and Marketing, and ultimately to Chief Revenue Officer. I led the team accountable for revenue growth, channel marketing and business development opportunities to drive revenue and customer acquisition. I also implemented a unique (at the time) form of ad revenue monetization--the original revenue source before subscriptions.
PicMonkey is a visual communications platform that enables both non-designers and designers alike to quickly create stunning visuals.
Raised $41,000,000.00 from Spectrum Equity.
Product Management & Marketing
2010 - 2011
I delivered key insights to Google Photos and Google Plus products through the successful leadership of product management and marketing efforts. I also drove all monetization initiatives within SaaS subscription photo editor and Picnik.
Google is a multinational corporation that specializes in Internet-related services and organizes the world’s information.
Raised $26,100,000.00 from Angel Investors LP, Kleiner Perkins, Signatures Capital, Sequoia Capital, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Shaquille O'Neal, Henry Kissinger, Google and Tiger Woods.
Director, Monetization
2009 - 2010
Picnik, acquired by Google, was a photo-editing platform for consumers and SMBs. I designed and execute its ad monetization, creating a secondary source of revenue to subscriptions, prior to its acquisition.
Director, Strategy & Development
2003 - 2008
Director, Strategy & Product Development, Media Solutions, Jan 2005-2008 Senior Manager, Hotels, Destinations Services & Destination Management, 2004-2005 Account Executive, Hotels, Cruise, Destination Services, Tourism Boards, 2003-2004
Expedia Group is a internet providing company they help people experience the world in new ways and build lasting connections.
Senior Product Manager
1999 - 2003
Senior Product Manager, Site Experience, Hardlines Businesses Senior Product Manager, Software & Video Games Category Manager, Multiple Categories, Marketplace Third-Party Merchants
Amazon is a tech firm with a focus on e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence.
Raised $8,108,000,000.00 from DBS Bank and Mizuho Bank.