Amazon CEO Andy Jassy has appointed Dharmesh Mehta, a senior executive from the company’s marketplace division, to serve as his new “shadow” advisor. This strategic move echoes Jassy’s own career trajectory, as he previously held a similar advisory role under founder Jeff Bezos in the early 2000s before ascending to lead Amazon Web Services (AWS) and eventually the entire company.
A Coveted Role with Strategic Implications
The “shadow” advisor position is considered highly influential and is often filled by individuals with deep technical understanding and a close working relationship with the CEO. Mehta’s appointment signals a continued focus on the core e-commerce marketplace, a foundational pillar of Amazon’s vast empire. While specific responsibilities for the role are not publicly detailed, such advisors typically work closely with the CEO on critical strategic decisions, emerging technologies, and operational challenges.
Mehta’s prior experience leading seller services within Amazon’s marketplace is expected to provide Jassy with valuable insights into the dynamics of the platform’s third-party sellers, a crucial component of Amazon’s retail operations. This appointment comes as Amazon continues to navigate a complex global economic landscape and refine its long-term growth strategies.
Leadership Transition within Marketplace Operations
In conjunction with Mehta’s new role, Amazon has also announced Amit Agarwal will now lead seller services. This internal reshuffling underscores the importance of the marketplace division and the deliberate placement of key talent to support Amazon’s ongoing business objectives.
