The “Amazon Future Innovator” event invited college students from across Georgia including Georgia Tech, Morehouse, UGA, and Kennesaw State to tour the facility and see how STEM knowledge translates into real-world applications.
Sandy Gordon, Amazon’s Global Vice President of Employee Experience and Relations, explained the importance of the event. “Instead of us going to campuses, we decided to bring the students here,” Gordon said. “They get to see firsthand how technology meets business leadership, creativity, and sustainability all inside one fulfillment center.”
She added, “Many STEM majors don’t realize that operations can be a starting point for their careers. We’re broadening their perspectives.”
Gordon also emphasized the importance of representation, noting the strong presence of women at the event.
“I was really excited to see how many young women, especially women of color, were here,” Gordon said. “Operations is a space traditionally dominated by men, but at Amazon, our workforce is nearly 50% women. We’re not saying we’ve cracked the code, but we’re proud of the progress we’ve made.”
Amazon’s impact in Georgia extends beyond Stone Mountain. Since 2010, the company has invested over $18.5 billion in the state and created more than 31,000 full-and part-time jobs, with an additional 44,700 indirect jobs supported by Amazon’s presence.
Its investments include 22 fulfillment and sortation centers, 10 delivery stations, 12 Whole Foods Markets, 3 Prime Now hubs, and 8 solar farms. More than 16,000 independent sellers in Georgia, mostly small and medium-sized businesses use Amazon’s platform to reach customers.
“Atlanta is where I was raised,” said Gordon. “Being able to help grow Amazon’s presence here and contribute to the community is a real privilege.”
