Audible’s Ian Moraes Believes in Using Tech to Make a Positive Impact

Customers who purchase a title on Audible or renew an Audible membership, whether on the app or website, are benefitting from the work of Ian Moraes’s teams. As Audible’s Head of Consumer Domains, Moraes helps to ensure purchasing works seamlessly and securely across Audible and Amazon surfaces worldwide, including during high-traffic events like Black Friday, when Audible’s US customers rushed to buy the first book from Harry Potter: The Full-Cast Audio Editions.

Beyond his role, Moraes is driven by a belief in service. His team volunteers their time in the community by helping local small businesses and non-profits with tech consultations and website creation, supporting STEM educational programs, and more. He has also participated in the Urban League of Essex County’s “Tech Talks” series, which aims to increase tech access and computer literacy for underserved communities.

Moraes provides leadership support for Audible’s Allyship committee, as well. Through it, our product and tech teams regularly connect to discuss and learn more about being inclusive, while also amplifying our employee-led impact groups, like audABLE, Black Employee Network (BEN), Women in Tech and UNIDOS. Get to know more about Moraes, in his own words.

How would you describe your approach to leadership?

I practice servant leadership, which was coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in his book of the same name. This means I intentionally invest in my team, for example, through forums and by creating opportunities to develop their AI skills, and this helps them best serve our customers.

What is something you believe is essential to succeeding as a leader?

In my leadership journey, it’s been important to embrace the inherent and sometimes seismic change as the tech landscape evolves, by continuously learning and fostering a culture of learning so my team can grow. An important quality in an effective leader is being humble and able to constantly learn and adapt. I learn from new hires as well as more experienced team members.

What makes Audible a distinct place to work?

I’ve enjoyed my years at Audible because it’s a place where I can build and deliver new customer capabilities quickly, by using cutting-edge technology and working with talented and dedicated teammates who share a commitment to innovation. But what sets Audible apart is that serving others is part of its DNA. We’re not just a company that does great work for our prized customers; we demonstrate what a business can mean beyond its products, through our impact initiatives designed to make a real difference in people’s lives.

If you were stuck on a desert island with electricity and could only bring one piece of tech, what would it be and why?

My laptop, as I could continue to talk to others, code, read books, listen to audiobooks and music and offer tech and leadership consults.

Lightning Round

• Coffee or tea? Recently, coffee. But I love a chai latte.
• Morning person or night owl? Morning person.
• Where are you working from currently? Audible’s headquarters in Newark, New Jersey.
• How long have you been with Audible? Nine years.
• Who is your biggest inspiration, career-wise? My mom. She was a dedicated teacher who emphasized the importance of continuing to learn and grow new skills. In order to make her school more inclusive, she reskilled and created a very successful program for teaching English as a Second Language.
• Dine in or take out? Dine in, but I love to cook.
• Favorite hobby? Working out: running, biking, etc.
• Favorite Audible listen, go. Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison.