Fix This

Learn how OfColor, a US-basd fintech, uses AWS to provide culturally-competent financial coaching, literacy resources, and tools tailored for workers of color.

As the volume and variety of Earth observation data continues to grow, there is a growing need to understand and make this information accessible to new users and applications. Descartes Labs, a cloud-based platform, is on a mission to help organizations across multiple sectors analyze satellite imagery, sensor data, and other geospatial information at scale. By building on Amazon Web Services (AWS), Descartes Labs offers customers cost-effective, scalable solutions to extract valuable insights that inform critical business decisions and drive sustainability efforts. The Fix This team sat down with Carly Benecke and Nicole Booths Toigo, leaders at Descartes Labs, to share how the company's all-in approach on AWS has enabled them to streamline data management, optimize compute resources, and rapidly prototype and deploy new analytics.

Poor air quality is a major global issue causing around 7 million premature deaths per year, disproportionately affecting low and middle income countries. OpenAQ is an organization dedicated to identifying solutions to this large issue. OpenAQ uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) to collect and harmonize open air quality data from government sources and low-cost sensors around the world, ingesting around 10-12 million measurements daily. To learn more, the Fix This team sat down with Russ Biggs, director of technology at OpenAQ. Russ shared how AWS Lambda helps OpenAQ scale its data collection and harmonization pipeline in a serverless manner. And helps scientists, environmental justice groups, and community organizations access OpenAQ's data to study air pollution impacts, advocate for regulations, and raise awareness.

Discover how Archer Aviation is using AWS to reimagine urban transportation with eco-friendly aerial ridesharing solutions.

Access to healthcare is critical to an individual's quality of life, but around the world, many struggle to have their basic needs met. ZiphyCare is an organization dedicated to removing barriers that prevent populations from accessing critical care. By building on Amazon Web Services (AWS), ZiphyCare has created a scalable solution that combines in-person and virtual care to more patients than ever before. The Fix This team sat down with Dr. Rada Sumareva, co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO), to learn more about how ZiphyCare improves access to care and delivers wifi, laptops, and any other resources that can positively facilitate the visit.

Canva is a digital art platform that allows users to express themselves and create content with a push of a button. Canva is the first Australian company to sign onto The Climate Pledge, a commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 that was co-founded by Amazon in 2019. Canva is more than a digital tool, it is also a leader in supporting sustainability best practices. Canva has reached a 90 percent reduction in cloud service emissions and using the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Customer Carbon Footprint Tool, it can forecast future emissions and strategies to reach its sustainability goals. To better understand how Canva uses AWS, the Fix This team sat down with Mike Williams, head of sustainability at Canva. Mike shares the importance of working together and using multi-step plans to see results.

PBS is a public broadcasting service on a mission to build out new content and programs that serve the US population. It builds on Amazon Web Services (AWS) to deliver relevant content for viewers of all ages, create new programs that bring diverse voices and perspectives forward, and improve accessibility so everyone has the opportunity to learn and grow with PBS. To learn more about how PBS uses AWS to advance its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) goals, the Fix This team sat down with Sylvia Bugg, chief programming executive and general manager of general audience programming at PBS.

Community Solutions is a US-based nonprofit working to end homelessness through its Built for Zero program. Built for Zero is a movement uniting cities with the tools and strategy they need to help those affected by homelessness. By using Amazon Web Services (AWS), Community Solutions can create and share dashboards with local organizations to help visualize progress and facilitate on the ground research. To better understand how the Built for Zero program is directly supporting local organizations in the US, the Fix This team sat down with Lauren D'Amico, a member of the Built for Zero infrastructure team, Eileen O'Donnell, executive director of Coming Home of Middlesex County, and Christiana Osawe, system solution navigator at Coming Home of Middlesex County, to hear how Middlesex County, New Jersey has directly benefited from the Built for Zero services.

Welcome to season four of Fix This. Subscribe to be the first to hear how organizations around the world are using Amazon Web Services (AWS) to solve some of today's most pressing challenges.

Tune in for a 2022 recap featuring customers from around the world.

In US prisons and jails, personal phone calls can be charged per minute and act as barriers to opportunities in the outside world which, in turn, prevents rehabilitation. To address this issue, APDS builds on Amazon Web Services (AWS) to create and deliver cloud-based tools that provide individualized education, job training, and reentry services for justice-impacted individuals. By creating a video communication tool on Amazon Chime called Therapeutic Interactive Video Engagement (ThrIVE) and a virtual classroom application, APDS helps people involved in the criminal justice system prepare for the future and reenter society. To learn more about how APDS builds on AWS, the Fix This team sat down with Arti Finn, co-founder and chief strategy officer at APDS.

For centuries, people affected by sight loss have turned to technology and dogs to improve their day-to-day lives with innovative solutions. Guide Dogs is a nonprofit based in the United Kingdom dedicated to creating accessible tools for those affected by sight loss. As the largest breeder and trainer of dogs, Guide Dogs uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) to provide dog owners with the information they need to take care of the dog and live a confident and independent life. By creating an Amazon Alexa skill, powered by AWS, dog owners can ask their Alexa device questions regarding caring for their dog, caring for themselves, and more. To learn more about how Guide Dogs uses AWS to improve accessibility for those affected by sight loss, the Fix This team chatted with Phil Bowers, assistive technology architect at Guide Dogs, and Lea Hampton-O'Neil, a senior product manager for Guide Dogs.

Starbucks supports millions of mobile orders every day. Whether you order on a mobile application, in person, or through a friend – Starbucks is always innovating to find new ways to support its global customer base. By using Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the AWS Carbon Footprint Tool, Starbucks can scale to meet demand, create new services to delight customers, and make sustainable business decisions. Starbucks helped create and announce the sustainability pillar for the AWS Well-Architected Framework and continues to be a leader in sustainable technology. To learn how Starbucks uses AWS and prioritizes sustainability, the Fix This team chatted with Drew Engelson, director of engineering, Unified Commerce Platform at Starbucks. Drew shares how Starbucks uses AWS to make data-informed decisions and how it empowers technologists around the world to adopt a sustainable mindset.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused many healthcare providers to rethink how they engage with and treat patients. In response to these changes, the US Army Telemedicine & Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC) began building a telehealth application on Amazon Web Services (AWS) with Deloitte, a professional services company. The National Emergency Tele Critical Care Network (NETCCN) application uses AWS Wickr to create a secure environment that allows patients and clinicians to communicate from virtually anywhere. To learn how NETCCN is making a difference in the healthcare world, the Fix This team sat down with Matt Quinn, science director at US Army TATRC, and Daniel Adams, health technologist from Deloitte.

Quality fresh food is essential for day-to-day lives, but these foods can often be inaccessible, too expensive to purchase, and tough on the environment. With crops transported globally for our consumption, these long-haul trips are only adding to excess emissions concerns. Rise Gardens is a green tech startup building on Amazon Web Services (AWS) to combat this issue by empowering users to grow fresh food directly in their homes. The Fix This team chatted with Dan Kuhn, chief technology officer at Rise Gardens, to hear how it is using Amazon Alexa and the internet of things (IoT) to power its hydroponic indoor gardens and mobile application. The mobile app alerts users when to water plants and when to harvest, resulting in less water use, and the hydroponic gardens allow users to grow produce without being confined to a climate or region.

As climate change increases the chance of wildfires, floods, and droughts, individuals are unsure if or when these catastrophic events will reach them. First Street Foundation is on a mission to uncover actionable climate data to deliver peace of mind and to help individuals understand their own home's climate risk through the power of shared data and knowledge. First Street Foundation is a research and technology nonprofit building on Amazon Web Services (AWS) to create a suite of scalable and flexible tools called Risk Factor. These tools include flood factor, heat factor, and fire factor to help understand the individual risk of a property. To learn more, the Fix This team chatted with Matthew Eby, chief executive officer, and Dr. Ed Kearns, chief data officer at First Street Foundation. Matthew and Ed discuss how the Risk Factor suite can empower individuals to understand their potential home's future climate risk.

Food insecurity and hunger are known global challenges, and as a result, many people rely on local organizations to feed themselves and their families. As the largest food bank in the United States, the Houston Food Bank depends on its robust volunteer program to serve the Southeast Texas population, including home-bound individuals. As an Amazon Web Services (AWS) IMAGINE Grant winner, the Houston Food Bank developed a mobile application to streamline its home delivery service and, in turn, created a better volunteer and user experience. To learn more about the benefits of the cloud-based mobile app, the Fix This team sat down with Cara Gabris, director of distribution at the Houston Food Bank.

People of all ages turn to games for entertainment, education, creative outlets, and community building spaces. Creative Assembly—a craft-led, European gaming studio owned by SEGA Europe with over 35 years' experience—is on a mission to ensure the future of the games industry is reflective of its diverse audience by improving diversity, equity, and inclusion across the gaming industry. Creative Assembly is an Amazon Web Services (AWS) customer. It uses technology to not only create its award-winning games, but also to reach under-represented groups with educational resources through its Legacy Project. To learn more about how Creative Assembly is impacting the industry with the Legacy Project, Ray chatted with Emma Smith, director of talent and social impact, and Lucy Boxall, director of corporate communications at Creative Assembly.

Netflix, one of the world's leading entertainment services, offers viewers a variety of movies and shows across many languages and genres—all available to stream at the push of a button. Using Amazon Web Services (AWS), Netflix is improving its global content creation by building flexible collaboration tools and workstreams that allow teams to work from virtually anywhere. To learn more, the Fix This team sat down with Naz Pethani, head of product for Netflix media technology, and Steve Kowalski, director of engineering for production infrastructure at Netflix. Naz and Steve share how flexible workstations help Netflix reach and retain creative talent without geographical limitations. Empowering creators from around the world helps the company build authentic collaboration and diverse content to delight its growing global audience.

To help build a sustainable future, individuals and organizations have the opportunity to create and follow sustainability best practices every day. Salesforce, a customer relationship management company, uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) to lead by example and innovate on behalf of its customers and planet Earth. Using the AWS customer carbon footprint tool in addition to other services from AWS, Salesforce aims to build sustainably at all levels of its business. To learn more about how the cloud helps Salesforce advance its goals, the Fix This team chatted with Patrick Flynn, senior vice president and global head of sustainability at Salesforce. Patrick shares insights into what the company has achieved so far in its sustainability goals, how climate change presents enormous opportunity for individuals and businesses, and how customers can place sustainability at the center of their work.

Farming employs nearly 60 percent of the African population, but farming equipment can be hard to access across the country. Hello Tractor is a startup determined to bridge this gap by serving over 500,000 farmers via a mobile application built on Amazon Web Services (AWS). By using the Internet of Things (IoT), data, and the cloud, Hello Tractor facilitates equipment rentals and notifies users of tractor availability giving farmers the access to the equipment they need to be successful and independent. To learn more about how Hello Tractor is connecting farmers to equipment and in turn opening new financial opportunities, the Fix This team spoke to Jehiel Oliver, founder and chief executive officer at Hello Tractor.

Historically, sports have acted as a glue bringing communities together from around the world. In June, the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games hopes to do just that in Orlando, Florida. By building a new serverless application on Amazon Web Services (AWS), the organization is connecting athletes and attendees like never before. The Fix This team chatted with Lonnie Snyder, chief information officer of the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, to hear how the app is changing the games. From providing virtual cheers to hosting up-to-date schedules and more, the application will act as the single source of truth to help remote or in-person attendees navigate and celebrate the athletes during the 2022 USA Games.

The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) is collaborating with the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) from the Medical College of Wisconsin to speed the time to clinical decisions and ultimately save lives of people seeking transplants. The organization, an Amazon Web Services (AWS) IMAGINE Grant winner, turned to AWS to power the Data Transformation Initiative (DTI) to connect transplant centers, data coordinators, and patient data. To learn more, the Fix This team chatted with Dr. Jeffery Auletta, senior vice president of patient outcomes and experience at NMDP and chief scientific director of CIBMTR Be the Match. Dr. Auletta shares how using the cloud will help clinical decision makers and patients alike.

The New York Philharmonic is the oldest symphony orchestra in the United States, and it has over a century's worth of archives including artifacts from performance history to images. To keep pace with online demand and to better serve the public, the New York Philharmonic turned to Amazon Web Services (AWS) to modernize its digital archives. To understand how the New York Philharmonic began its journey with AWS, the Fix This team sat down with Gabryel Smith, director of archives and exhibitions, and his colleague, Bill Levay, digital archivist at the New York Philharmonic. Gabryel and Bill share how the organization uses the cloud to preserve history, further engage with visitors, and more. Dive into the archives at: archives.nyphil.org, and listen to the opening music—a New York Philharmonic performance of Beethoven 9 with Kurt Masur, former music director, conducting.

Buildings are one of the leading generators of annual global greenhouse gas emissions. But using new technologies, organizations can reduce a new building's carbon footprint and build for a sustainable future. To learn more about how the cloud is being used to help pave the way for a greener world, the Fix This team chatted with Brad Vickers, senior director of engineering digital technologies at CarbonCure. Brad shares how CarbonCure aims to reimagine the way corporations around the world create and source concrete, a necessary building material. By using Amazon Web Services (AWS), CarbonCure helps customers use data analytics to discover insights to build more sustainably. CarbonCure is a signatory of The Climate Pledge and has been invested in by Amazon's Climate Pledge Fund. It is also involved in the buildout of Amazon HQ2 in Arlington, Virginia.

Sharks play a critical role in maintaining the delicate ecosystem in the ocean and on land. Discover the importance of these apex predators—from biomedical research impacting humans to ensuring the food chain remains in balance. OCEARCH, a global nonprofit organization, is on a mission to help scientists collect previously unattainable data in the ocean and educate the public with its Shark Tracker app. By using Amazon Web Services (AWS) and data, OCEARCH connects experts, fisheries, and academics from around the world. To learn more, the Fix This team chatted with Chris Fischer, founder and expedition leader and Dr. Robert Hueter, chief scientist at OCEARCH. OCEARCH is part of the Amazon Sustainability Data Initiative.

As more and more species become endangered, researchers are finding ways to protect and conserve animals and their habitats. The Elephant Listening Project from Cornell University in New York captures audio data from across the rainforest in northern Republic of Congo to track the sounds of the elusive African elephants. These recordings help researchers dive deep into the patterns and habits of the largest animals on Earth. The dataset, Sounds of Central African Landscapes, is made available in the cloud via the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Open Data Sponsorship Program. By gathering millions of on-the-ground recordings and data, the team hopes to discover insights leading to the safety and preservation of the species and the land they inhabit. To learn more, the Fix This team sat down with Dr. Daniela Hedwig, a behavioral conversation biologist and research associate at the Center for Conservation Bioacoustics and lead for The Elephant Listening Project at Cornell University.

Adverse drug reactions are one of the leading causes of death in the US. While healthcare costs and medication-related mistakes rise, pharmacogenomics—a field of research that studies how an individual's genes affect how he or she responds to specific medications—is becoming more accessible. Coriell Life Sciences, a precision medicine company, uses genetic science and research to improve lives, reduce healthcare costs, and speed the time to clinical decisions with its tool, GeneDose LIVE powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). The Fix This team chatted with Scott Megill, president and chief executive officer at Coriell Life Sciences. Scott explains how GenDose LIVE impacts healthcare providers and patients.

Founded in 2015 amid the Chennai water crisis, WEGoT Utility Solutions aims to help people optimize their water consumption habits to live more sustainably. Today, the company has over 200 customers and has saved more than three billion liters of water. To understand how WEGoT built its water management platform on Amazon Web Services (AWS), the Fix This team sat down with Abilash Haridass, cofounder and chief executive officer of WeGOT, and VijayRam Harinathan, head of product at WEGoT. Abilash and VijayRam describe their internet of things (IoT) solution, the WEGoT Smart Water Meter, and discuss how it turns data into insights that can help users understand and optimize their water consumption. Download the episode to hear how the solution achieves 98 percent accuracy on a drop-by-drop level.

As the world faces a shortage of pilots, the need for cost-effective training and upskilling tools increases. To learn more, the Fix This team chatted with Mikhail Klassen, chief technology officer of Paladin AI. Paladin AI is a technology startup focused on training the next generation of pilots with data, machine learning, and human expertise with its training tool, InstructIQ. Listen in to discover how Paladin AI builds on Amazon Web Services (AWS), how machine learning and data can be used to deliver personalized, adaptable trainings, and why the cloud is an integral piece of the puzzle.

Welcome to season three of Fix This. Hear how Amazon Web Services (AWS) customers are innovating to solve some of today's most pressing challenges to create a more sustainable and inclusive world. Subscribe to be the first to hear.

Join the Fix This team to reflect on another year of conversations with customers working to solve some of today's largest challenges using Amazon Web Services (AWS).

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the US government created the Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to provide financial assistance to Americans in need. With small businesses struggling and families facing housing insecurity or homelessness, decision makers across the country needed a fast solution to streamline the distribution of these funds. To better understand the situation, the Fix This team checked in with Kelly Cimino, director of the Department of Housing and Community Development of Howard County, Maryland. Kelly shares how the county leveraged Amazon Web Services (AWS) to deploy a cloud-based portal that provides a single front door for citizens to access multiple assistance programs.

Founded in 1867, Howard University is committed to preparing diverse, talented, and ambitious students to learn and lead across industries. In May 2021, Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced a collaboration with Howard University to develop courses and a Master's in Data Science & Analytics. Shortly after, in October 2021, Howard University and Amazon Studios announced the launch of the Howard Entertainment Program for the third consecutive year. To better understand how these initiatives are taking shape, the Fix This team sat down with Dr. Anthony K. Wutoh, provost and chief academic officer of Howard University, and Dr. John Anderson, dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture at Howard University.

In honor of November's National Native American Heritage month in the United States, the Fix This team chatted with Lisa Minthorn, Sahaptian language technology specialist for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). Building on Amazon Web Services (AWS), CTUIR created the Umatilla Language Online Dictionary to preserve the Sahaptian language for generations to come. The language is currently registered as severely endangered by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

The Amazon Sustainability Data Initiative (ASDI) is collaborating with SilverLining and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) to run the first full-production climate-model simulations in the cloud. Using cloud-based technology and hosting the resulting datasets in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Open Data Sponsorship Program will open a powerful new avenue to accelerate climate research and democratize access to tools and information that will help protect our planet. The Fix This team sat down with Kelly Wanser, executive director at SilverLining; Jean-Francois Lamarque, Climate & Global Dynamics Laboratory director at NCAR; and Chris Lennard, research staff and climatologist at the Climate System Analysis Group at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.

From forgotten objects to illegally dumped waste, Swindon Borough Council (Swindon) in the United Kingdom noticed an uptick in city-wide litter. To understand how Swindon fast-tracks cleanup and engages with residents to report illegal waste, the Fix This team chatted with Sarah Talbot, emerging technologies lead for Swindon. Sarah explains how residents use the updated service powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) to help Swindon locate and prioritize litter removal. The solution uses artificial intelligence (AI) to estimate object sizes and streamline pickup.

The immediate impacts of climate change disproportionately affect socially vulnerable populations across the United States. The Environmental Justice of Urban Flood Risk and Green Infrastructure Solutions research project from the Urban Systems Lab at the New School explores solutions to this issue using flood risk mapping, analysis, and visualizations. The research project is supported by the Amazon Sustainability Data Initiative (ASDI) and through Amazon Web Services (AWS) promotional credit in addition to the Kresge Foundation's CREWS initiative. To learn how proper planning can help protect at-risk neighborhoods, the Fix This team chatted with two team members from the Urban Systems Lab at the New School—Christopher Kennedy, assistant director, and Pablo Herreros Cantis, research fellow.

The Smithsonian's Arts and Industries Building (AIB) is temporarily reopening to celebrate the Smithsonian's 175th anniversary with a special, 9-month exhibition. The FUTURES exhibit will feature the artificial intelligence (AI) and light sculpture by artist Suchi Reddy. The sculpture, me + you, was commissioned by Amazon Web Services (AWS). The Fix This team sat down with Suchi Reddy, artist, Rachel Goslins, director of the Smithsonian AIB, and Isolde Brielmaier, curator and cultural strategist. Visit the FUTURES exhibit in person from November 2021-July 2022 or experience the online version at www.meplusyoufuture.com.

The Fix This team sat down with Dr. Werner Vogels, Chief Technology Officer of Amazon and host of Now Go Build. 2021 marks the 15-year anniversary of Amazon Web Services (AWS). In this time, Dr. Vogels has traveled the world to meet with customers using AWS to solve hard, human problems. Tune in to hear Dr. Vogels discuss the customer stories that most inspire him, what they are creating, and what makes him optimistic for the future of entrepreneurs who are building with sustainability top of mind.

With over 500,000 children to serve, the US Children's Bureau needed a solution that could quickly connect child welfare professionals to the right data and resources. ICF has managed the Child Welfare Information Gateway for 30 years. It is the nation's largest library dedicated solely to child welfare and contains nearly 110,000 titles and receives over 3 million sessions annually. The Child Welfare Information Gateway is now powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS). To understand how the AWS Cloud is redefining how the US Children's Bureau and ICF can meet social workers' needs, the Fix This team chatted with Kary James, senior managing director of child welfare and education at ICF and Matthew McGuire, child welfare program specialist at the US Children's Bureau.

Lithium-ion batteries power vehicles, appliances, and plenty of items we rely on every day. In order to build a sustainable future, TWAICE, a software technology company, uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) to gain valuable insights about how to improve the lithium-ion battery lifecycle. To better understand the role these batteries play in creating a more sustainable world, and how AWS is supporting their mission, the Fix This team chatted with Dr. Stephan Rohr, founder and co-chief executive officer of TWAICE.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched the AWS Think Big for Small Business Program to support small or minority-owned AWS Partners in their cloud journeys. To learn about the program, the Fix This team sat down with Sandy Carter, vice president of worldwide public sector partners and programs at AWS, and Tia Dubuisson, co-founder and president of Belle Fleur Technologies. Sandy explains how minority-founded organizations can benefit from tailored resources to help them grow their technical expertise and develop go-to-market strategies necessary to build a small business, and how the AWS Think Big for Small Business Program supports these gaps. Tia shares insights on her experience with the program and how she successfully launched Belle Fleur Technologies.

There are more than 6,000 public safety answering points (PSAPs) across the US—many of which rely on aging infrastructure to respond to emergency calls. Cloud-powered solutions from NGA 911 can help provide PSAPs with the insights, reliability, and redundancy needed to continue to serve citizens. To understand how NGA 911 uses Amazon Web Services to help modernize emergency response services, the Fix This team chatted with Ed Vea, chief technology officer of NGA 911.

This week, the Fix This team chatted with Hello Sunday Morning (HSM), an Australian nonprofit organization. HSM uses Amazon Web Services (AWS) to help change people's relationship with alcohol consumption by providing access to professional health support and a community of like-minded individuals looking to change their alcohol consumption habits. To better understand how the AWS Cloud helps scale the app by ten-fold, the team spoke to Andy Moore, chief executive officer of HSM. Andy discussed the mobile app, Daybreak, which offers 24/7 support to those in need.

May is Mental Health Awareness month. To explore the topic, the Fix This team sat down with Brooks Kenny, executive director of WomenAgainstAlzheimer's and director of the Be Brain Powerful Campaign at UsAgainstAlzheimer's. Brooks talks about the recently launched BrainGuide, made in collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Biogen who provided in-kind and financial support. From an assessment to resources, UsAgainstAlzheimer's aims to reduce the stigma associated with Alzheimer's disease and deliver information that sparks conversation about brain health.

The Fix This team sat down with Dr. Bala Hota, vice president and chief analytics officer at Rush University Medical Center, to learn about the analytics hub the university created in collaboration with the City of Chicago's Department of Public Health. The hub aggregates and analyzes multi-hospital data, which allows clinicians to monitor bed availability across the city and make data-driven decisions. The analytics hub is powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS).

This Earth Day, the Fix This team explores how Amazon Web Services (AWS) can help organizations create sustainable solutions and advance their sustainability goals. To learn more about sustainability of the cloud and in the cloud, the team chatted with Ken Haig, senior manager for public policy in the Asia Pacific region at AWS. Next, the team turned to Ana Pinheiro Privette, lead for the Amazon Sustainability Data Initiative (ASDI), to learn why data is key to creating scalable, sustainable solutions. Wrapping up the episode, Adam Lewis, managing director at Digital Earth Africa joined the discussion. Adam discusses how Digital Earth Africa works with ASDI to make Earth observation data accessible across Africa to help innovators on the ground.

Wrapping up the 2021 Mission Critical Cloud series, the Fix This team explored how Amazon Web Services (AWS) can help organizations support the physical wellbeing of communities. Jeff Kratz, director of AWS Worldwide Public Sector in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada, kicked off the episode to discuss how the region has transformed with the cloud—including working and learning remotely during the pandemic. Next, the team heard from Brian Hettler, senior manager of mapping and program support for the Amazon Conservation Team, and Matt Hallas, technical lead of sustainable development practice for Maxar Technologies. The two explained how satellite imagery is used to protect isolated, Indigenous tribes in South America. Last, we checked in with Bobby Cagle, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. Bobby shared how deploying Amazon Connect provided business continuity during physical distancing requirements so the department could deliver on its mission of protecting the wellbeing of over 36,000 children a year.

In part two of the Mission Critical Cloud series, the Fix This team is joined by Dave Levy, vice president of US government sales at Amazon Web Services (AWS). Dave shares how AWS remains customer obsessed by building diverse and inclusive teams. Dave also dives into how the cloud can power solutions that create opportunities for the public to learn, grow, and gain access to knowledge and resources. Next, the team chatted with Aedan McDonald, founder and program manager of Justice Through Code, and Kevin Harper, Justice Through Code graduate and teaching assistant. Justice Through Code is a no-charge, semester-long program teaching coding skills to formerly incarcerated populations. The program was developed by the Tamer Center for Social Enterprise at Columbia Business School and the Center for Justice at Columbia University. Aedan and Kevin discuss the importance of bridging the technical divide and upskilling underserved communities. Wrapping up the episode, Dr. Tarika Barrett joins the conversation. Tarika is the current chief operating officer and incoming chief executive officer of the international nonprofit Girls Who Code. Tarika emphasizes the significance of building and retaining diverse teams and empowering girls and women to pursue careers in technology. To hear more from Tarika and Girls Who Code, register for the virtual AWS Public Sector Summit Online on April 15.

Fix This is back with a second installment of the Mission Critical Cloud series. To kick things off, the team checked in with Max Peterson, vice president of worldwide public sector international sales at Amazon Web Services (AWS). Max recounts educational institutions who successfully transformed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and shares his thoughts on how education will continue to evolve in the months ahead. Next up, the team learned about the Oxford X-Reality Hub, where researchers are collaborating with the Oxfordshire County Council to apply virtual reality and machine learning to English literature. Dr. Mattia Montanari, postdoctoral researcher at the engineering department of the University of Oxford, shares how Oxford has brought English literature to life through virtual reality and gamification with the goal of bridging access to education and classic literature among children. Rounding out the episode is Charles Lavigne, cofounder and president of LlamaZOO, a Canadian-based tech company that specializes in 3D visualizations. Charles explains how their app, EasyAnatomy, was developed to create detailed, medically accurate 3D models of canine anatomy for virtual dissection to keep students learning anywhere they are.