Leading Asians at Amazon: How Namit is creating a community with real impact
Meet Namit Khurana, who is not only re-inventing the way people buy cars but also linking communities through Asians at Amazon. Here he shares how our Leadership Principles drive his work, the impact of building spaces for cultural connection, and why bringing your authentic self to work is key to thriving at Amazon.
Hi, Namit. Let’s start with your day job: What are you working on?
I’m a Product Launch Manager responsible for launching Amazon Autos to the public. My primary focus is partnering with various stakeholders to ensure a successful product launch while mitigating any product, engineering, or operational risks.
At Amazon Autos, we're building a car-shopping experience that's miles better than the traditional process. Our team has re-invented the way people can buy cars by enabling dealerships to list their inventory and set transparent pricing while allowing customers to research, select, and purchase vehicles via the trusted Amazon shopping experience.
The core of Amazon Autos is about streamlining the car-buying process. Customers can explore inventory from multiple dealers, avoiding the usual time and effort associated with buying a car. Everything is handled online, including applying for financing, making a down payment, and reviewing documents. The price at checkout is the price they pay. Finally, customers can schedule visits to the dealerships to pick up their new vehicles. Our goal is to make the entire buying experience as seamless as possible.
What role do the Amazon Leadership Principles play in your work?
The Leadership Principles are ingrained in everything we do. Take Customer Obsession, for instance—it's not just a buzzword term. For every decision we make, we ask, “Does this benefit the customer?” For example, we want our Amazon Autos customers to get roughly the same deals, in an instant, that they’d get if they put in six weeks of research or spent six hours negotiating at a dealership.
There’s also a strong focus on agility and Bias for Action. We’ve had quite a few curveballs come our way as we’ve prepared to bring Amazon Autos to the public, and we’ve had to quickly pivot each time.
Ultimately, it was a proud moment for me knowing that our team’s resilience, persistence, and hard work helped us create the best possible experience for our customers when we launched Amazon Autos on December 10, 2024. This launch was monumental, and I felt like we had a small part in making history!
You’re also the Co-President of Asians at Amazon. Tell us a bit more about that.
Asians at Amazon
Asians at Amazon, one of the company’s thirteen officially recognized affinity groups, serves as a dynamic platform for cultural exchange and awareness. We're committed to promoting understanding among Asian cultures and bridging gaps between Asian and non-Asian communities. Our mission extends beyond cultural celebration; we actively recruit, develop, and retain Asian talent, advocating for increased Asian representation in Amazon's leadership.
When I joined Amazon five years ago, I wanted to bring my entire self to work—not me as an employee, but me as a person. I started as the communications lead for the Asians at Amazon chapter in our Arlington office, helping to promote various events and activities. Wanting to do more, I applied to the Global Board as the Expansion lead. We developed playbooks to help onboard new chapters globally, and within a year, Asians at Amazon grew from 25 to 90 chapters!
Three years ago, I transitioned to the Co-President role alongside Ming Huang, another passionate leader who was the President of the Seattle Chapter. I never imagined I would be doing this for so long. We now have around 190 chapters globally, with about 26,000 Amazonians involved. Affinity groups are about creating the environment for different communities to come together, and Asians at Amazon is doing just that.
We’re focused on offering the right programming, funding, and governance to help Asian employees thrive at Amazon. We celebrate our diversity, drawing strength from our global membership with Asian employees living in countries as distant as Romania, Costa Rica, and South Africa. Asia comprises 48 countries, so Asians at Amazon isn’t just one diaspora, and our members come from several ethnicities, nationalities and cultures. Together, we have created a community that is amazingly diverse and rich —a vibrant tapestry of unique experiences and a rich mosaic of perspectives.
Some of the Asians at Amazon community
What does being involved with Asians at Amazon mean to you personally?
For me, it’s about creating a safe space where people can be authentic. We’re not just here to work; we’re here to bring our whole selves to the table. We celebrate more than 50 festivals, such as Lunar New Year, Diwali, Nowruz, Ramadan, Holi, or Eid, helping people enjoy and share their culture with their colleagues and families.
Some events are large-scale, and others are small and frugal but just as meaningful. It’s amazing what creativity can do when you’re passionate about community.
You’ve clearly built something special. What are you most proud of?
The foundation we've built. It's definitely not just me. We have an entire community of corporate and operations leaders who are the masterminds behind the work we do—planning, coordinating, executing, and making the real impact. Asians at Amazon would be nothing without these unsung heroes who give up their personal time and invest in this cause.
For me, it's especially rewarding when someone shares videos of employees cheering during a dragon dance at the Chinese New Year celebration or photos of co-workers with their faces covered in purple, blue, green, and red Holi colors, their eyes twinkling and smiles beaming in stark contrast. When we see people enjoying events, activities, celebrations, and cultural experiences, it makes all our efforts worthwhile.
You’ve mentioned inclusivity and community a lot. Why do you think those values are so important at Amazon?
Amazon is fast-paced, and the bar is very high. But at the same time, it’s a place where leadership is genuinely committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and supports initiatives like Asians at Amazon. Amazon doesn't just pay lip service to DEI; it walks the talk.
Our senior leaders are deeply invested in the community. I am empowered to focus on these community-building efforts, and it’s not seen as a distraction. In fact, it’s encouraged. It helps people feel valued and makes Amazon a better place to work.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about applying to Amazon?
I’d say to be ready to bring your A-game because Amazon sets the bar high. But also, don’t be afraid to show who you really are. Find ways to get involved in the community because that’s what will keep you grounded and connected. Being part of something like Asians at Amazon gives you the chance to switch gears and work on something fulfilling on a different level. It allows you to take a break from the day-to-day and think about the bigger picture. So come prepared to work hard, but also be open to opportunities for personal and community growth. During your interviews, talk about what makes you tick, why something is important to you, and how you’re not just an amazing employee but a unique human being.