AWS Heroes

AWS Heroes Program FAQ

• Q: What is the AWS Heroes program?

  The AWS community is comprised of users whose enthusiasm has created a vibrant worldwide community of experts who go above and beyond to share their extensive AWS knowledge in many ways, including authoring blog posts, creating video content, contributing to open source projects, leading user groups, organizing workshops, speaking at events, and more.

  The purpose of the AWS Heroes program is to recognize and honor the most engaged and influential builders who have a significant impact within the AWS community. It also provides Heroes a place to tell their story and connect with like-minded builders. If you are looking to learn from and connect with experienced members of the AWS community, check out their bios and connect online.

• Q: What kind of activities does an AWS Hero do?

  Heroes are mentors and super users, creators, writers, and/or speakers who routinely provide high quality and impactful content to the AWS community worldwide. Each Hero is different. Some examples of Hero activities include:

  • Writing blog posts, news articles, books, or technical documentation.
  • Being a content creator by publishing tutorials, podcasts, and videos.
  • Contributing to the AWS community with open source projects and code samples.
  • Running AWS-focused events such as user groups, hackathons, workshops, AWS Community Day events, and more.
  • Speaking at tech events worldwide.

• Q: What does AWS look for in an AWS Hero?

  We aim to encourage and recognize genuine, authentic, and meaningful contributions, which creates and fosters a community interested in continuing to invest heavily in others. Thus, there is no checklist of precise actions one can take to become a Hero.

  Some key characteristics of an AWS Hero include:

  Enthusiasm – An individual who regularly participates, engages, and motivates the AWS community.
  Expertise – Being an expert in AWS and staying on top of trends.
  Leadership – Building relationships and strengthening ties within the community.
  Selflessness – Delivering impact to communities without thought of remuneration or self-benefit.

• Q: How does someone become an AWS Hero?

  AWS Heroes are nominated by Amazon employees who can attest to the community contributions led by the nominee. The nominations are reviewed quarterly, and there is a review committee which goes through a month long review process across four parameters.

• Q: What is the difference between a Community Hero and a specialist Hero?

  Community Heroes are passionate enthusiasts of the entire AWS platform, and spend time educating others on a wide array of AWS services. While they may have an area of expertise, they spend most of their time advocating for the entire AWS platform and services.

  Category Heroes (Container Heroes, Data Heroes, DevTools Heroes, Machine Learning Heroes, Security Heroes, and Serverless Heroes) are well known early adopters and thought leaders within their specific knowledge area. They spend the majority of their time advocating for AWS services and technologies, which fall under one specific category or topic.

• Q: How is the AWS Community Builders program different from the AWS Heroes program?

  The AWS Community Builders program is an application-based community of thousands of worldwide builders. The program helps builders up-skill and share their journey by providing learning and growth opportunities, and access to a vast network of other builders.

• Q: Does someone have to be an AWS Community Builder before becoming an AWS Hero?

  No, being an AWS Community Builder isn’t a requirement for becoming a Hero. The program does provide builders unique opportunities to deepen their support and contributions to the AWS community.

• Q: How is the AWS Ambassador Partner program different from the AWS Heroes program?

  The AWS Ambassador Partner program builds a community of highly qualified and influential employees at AWS Partners. AWS Ambassadors are recognized as influential AWS professionals in driving their organization's AWS proficiency and supporting the community through thought leadership contributions. AWS Ambassadors possess and maintain multiple AWS certifications and develop publicly consumable content. For example, they support the communities in their region with publications, presentations, and hosting user group events. An AWS Ambassador can be a Hero, but a Hero can only be an Ambassador if employed at an AWS partner that meets the criteria. However, keep in mind the activities of our Heroes, who are also Ambassadors, extend their focus well beyond their APN firm, as they uplift and support the global and local AWS communities.

• Q: How do I find more information about the AWS Heroes program?

  While we’re always on the lookout for the next group of AWS Heroes, note this isn’t a definitive checklist or direct path to become one. If you'd like to be considered for recognition in the AWS Heroes program, make sure you're contributing and sharing AWS knowledge with the community.

  Checkout the AWS News Blog to stay up to date on the latest news and updates on the AWS Heroes program.

  Questions about the AWS Heroes program? Contact us here.