Marta Sousa Monteiro (2004) | Senior Leader - Startup & VC Ecosytem Specialist, GTM & Strategic Partnerships | Tech & Cloud at Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Few school communities leave you with more than memories — they leave you with a way of moving through the world. This time, in the  Alumni Spotlight, we catch up with Marta Sousa Monteiro (2004), whose career has carried that international mindset into the heart of the global startup ecosystem. From early lessons in independence and curiosity on campus, to leading innovation and accelerator programmes at AWS across Europe and Africa, her journey reflects the same blend of ambition, openness, and collaboration that so many Alumni recognise. Along the way, Marta has helped hundreds of founders scale, built initiatives with real ecosystem impact, and still speak warmly of her teachers at St. Julian's School — Margarida and Mrs da Costa — who helped shape her in her formative years.

Interview

What was it like attending St. Julian’s?

Attending St. Julian’s School was a formative and enriching experience. It offered a truly international environment that encouraged academic rigor, open-mindedness, and independence from an early age. The school balanced high expectations with strong support, helping met and other peers develop both intellectually and personally.

Is there a memory you hold dear from St. Julian's?

One of my fondest memories is the sense of community and belonging, particularly during collaborative projects and school events where students from different backgrounds came together. Those moments fostered friendships and perspectives that stayed with me long after graduation.

What are your career highlights and/ or achievements?

My career has focused on technology, startups, and innovation across Europe and Africa. Highlights include building and scaling startup programs at AWS across multiple regions, launching accelerator initiatives that supported hundreds of founders, and leading teams that drove significant growth and ecosystem impact. I have also worked closely with governments, investors, and global tech leaders to support entrepreneurship at scale.

Did you have any favourite teachers?

Nursery teacher, Margarida! And Mrs da Costa. 

Do you still keep in touch with your colleagues from St. Julian’s?

Yes, I still keep in touch with some former classmates. Even years later, there is a shared connection and mutual understanding that comes from having grown up in such a unique and international school environment.

Did attending St. Julian's influence your career path in any way? 

Absolutely. St. Julian’s instilled a global mindset and comfort working across cultures, which directly influenced my decision to pursue an international career in technology and startups. The school normalized ambition, mobility, and curiosity about the world.

Do you think St. Julian's is a school that fosters curiosity in it's students? 

Yes, very much so. The school encourages questioning, exploration, and independent thinking. Students are not only taught what to learn, but how to learn, which creates a strong foundation for lifelong curiosity.

Can you talk to us about your current role at AWS?

At AWS, I have worked in leadership roles focused on startups and innovation programs. My responsibilities included designing and overseeing accelerator programs, managing teams across regions, and helping startups adopt cloud technologies to scale globally. The role required strategic thinking, people leadership, and deep engagement with the startup ecosystem.

What challenges have you faced when trying to oversee the team responsible for various startup programs aimed at accelerating their adoption of the best AWS technologies?

One of the main challenges was balancing scale with quality, ensuring programs remained impactful while supporting a growing number of startups across different markets. Aligning diverse stakeholders, adapting programs to local ecosystem needs, and leading teams through constant change were also key challenges, but they ultimately strengthened my leadership and execution.