'Get a mentor' and 'build strong networking connections' says Amazon safety leader
"Having an opportunity to be a part of this group of female leaders is super exciting," says Andreea Arangio, Senior Regional WHS Manager at Amazon. As she prepares to moderate a panel at the upcoming Women in Safety Summit in Calgary on Tuesday, Arangio reflects on the power of mentorship in shaping careers, strengthening safety leadership, and fostering gender equity in the industry.
Arangio, who leads workplace health and safety (WHS) efforts at Amazon’s YHM8 fulfilment centre in Bolton, Ontario, underscores mentorship as a crucial tool for career advancement, particularly for women in male-dominated industries. She has experienced firsthand the impact of mentorship in her own career trajectory, having started in safety over 20 years ago as a coordinator before rising through the ranks.
"Mentorship provides a safe space for connection. It empowers employees to show up authentically, share their challenges, and set clear goals," she explains.
Amazon’s approach to mentorship
At Amazon, mentorship has evolved from informal, employee-driven networks to structured programs available to all employees worldwide. The Amazon Mentoring Program (AMP) connects mentees with mentors, offering both one-time and long-term mentorship opportunities.
"We offer one-time mentoring sessions to help employees work through immediate challenges, as well as ongoing mentoring that supports professional development through a structured six-month connection," says Arangio.
She stresses that effective mentorship goes beyond skill-building—it requires leadership buy-in, a culture of learning, and an employee-driven desire to grow. In her own journey, she credits Amazon’s leadership principles, particularly the emphasis on employee development, for helping her transition from a site-level WHS role to a regional leadership position.
"For WHS female leaders, gaining a wider perspective of the business and understanding all its functions is critical to positioning safety strategically and achieving the most impactful results," she says.
Advice for Women Entering Safety Careers
At the Women in Safety Summit, Arangio’s panel, Advancing Women in the Safety Industry, will highlight how mentorship fuels success in WHS careers. She plans to share insights on navigating leadership roles and overcoming industry challenges. Her key piece of advice to young women in safety? "Get a mentor. Build strong networking connections. Understand the business and company culture. You are in charge of your own growth."
She encourages aspiring safety leaders to seek out companies that prioritize professional development and mentorship. "If you're already in a leadership role, use your experience to guide and support others—whether informally at your site or through structured mentorship programs," she adds.
Looking ahead to the summit
As the Women in Safety Summit approaches, Arangio is eager to engage with other industry professionals, exchange ideas, and bring Amazon’s successful mentorship strategies into the larger conversation.
"We don’t always need to reinvent the wheel—sometimes the best thing we can do is learn from what has worked for others and adapt it," she says.
With mentorship as a driving force for progress, leaders like Arangio continue to shape the future of safety—one connection at a time.
