Dr. Michael
A. Hastings

Michael has consistently guided us through complex, high-impact initiatives. What sets him apart is his unique ability to distill complexity into actionable solutions while maintaining unwavering standards of excellence. His leadership creates an environment where trust and open communication flourish.

Michael brings energy and enthusiasm to his role as a leader, has a natural curiosity to learn from others, and is hardwired to understand engineering and manufacturing use cases. He is a tireless advocate for his people and is direct in highlighting what is true, important, and of greatest value.

Michael is a leader that motivates action. He brings a compelling sense of urgency to all he works on while being crisp and clear on the "why." His ability to communicate the importance and context of action needed is his superpower. He would inspire even the most challenging personalities to rise up and contribute.

Michael is a connector of people and opportunities. He is a superb listener and thoughtful in his feedback. The sincerity he brings to conversations is what makes people naturally gravitate toward his leadership. He crossed all group cliques and was particularly skilled at recognizing opportunities and possibilities for connection.

Michael challenged the status quo and navigated difficult topics with remarkable skill and care. A true display of character: able to assess a situation, address it appropriately, and with a sense of urgency. He always offered a diverse perspective that effectively considered the whole rather than a subset.

Michael is a leader in thought, discussion, and class participation. He provided unique and diverse opinions and clearly communicated his thoughts across a large group in a manner that caught the attention of every listener. There was never a dull moment when it came to his interaction.

Michael has a rare approachability that makes people lower their guard and liberate their true personas. His positive attitude can make any situation seem intriguing, exciting, and memorable. That quality was noted throughout his entire cohort during their time at NYU Stern.

Your journey from Wilson, North Carolina to Global Head at Amazon Web Services embodies the very ideals we uphold at MCNY. Your commitment to creating STEM pathways for underrepresented youth is a powerful example of using success as a lasting platform for community impact.

Michael has had an exemplary career in consulting technology. His prowess can be seen in how he continues to contribute to his professional growth as a well-respected leader. He possesses the full 360-degree portfolio of qualities to be an effective and transformative leader at the highest levels.