Introduction: An Unconventional Road to Leadership

Ami Tank’s professional journey is one of sheer inspiration. From initial dreams of a medical career, her path took a dramatic detour as she pursued her natural calling to leadership, charting a course that was marked by challenges, victories, and defining moments. Today, as the Vice President of Marketing at Fortinet, Ami’s story serves as a testament to resilience, growth, and the power of authenticity in leadership. This profile delves into Ami Tank’s professional evolution, highlighting the principles that guide her work, the strategies that drive success, and the life lessons she continues to embrace.

A Shift in Career Aspirations

Ami’s journey toward her current role did not follow the conventional path many might expect. Initially, she envisioned herself pursuing a career in medicine. However, hands-on volunteer experiences opened her eyes to new possibilities, prompting her to pivot toward a different career path. This realization led her to earn dual B.S. degrees in Biology and Psychology from the University of Michigan, followed by an MBA from Loyola University Chicago.

While juggling full-time work responsibilities, Ami continued her education, a testament to her perseverance and motivation. She possessed an insatiable appetite for learning, constantly looking for new challenges and avenues for development. Her academic success was the basis for what would prove to be a successful career in the corporate sector, and this combination of academic discipline and professional experience prepared her to meet the challenges that were to come.

A Turning Point at Cisco

Ami became a project manager at Cisco in 2000, starting a career that would last several leadership positions across functions. At Cisco, she was in an environment that supported individual and team development. Ami was soon recognized for her skills in spotting opportunities, simplifying processes, and establishing cross-functional relationships. She was a key member of various diverse teams, driving success in Customer Success, Sales, Partner Enablement, Strategy, and Operations.

Nonetheless, her rise to professional stature was not easy. Long days, lengthy commutes, and the perpetual threat of imposter syndrome were there all along. Yet Ami endured and persevered. Those early years held lessons that would inform her style of leadership and ready her for the daunting challenges that would later face her.

Overcoming Adversity: The Battle with Illness

When in what could have been a devastating blow to many, Ami was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It was overwhelming news, but the strength of Ami in the midst of this test was yet stronger. Instead of allowing illness to define her, she was empowered by work and used it to become a lifeline amid one of the most uncertain and terror-filled times of her life.

The recovery process was long, but Ami’s resilience carried her through. The experience of battling cancer fundamentally shifted her perspective on leadership and life. She realized that authenticity and vulnerability were essential to being a truly effective leader, and she began embracing these qualities in her professional life. This personal transformation was pivotal, marking the beginning of her shift toward a leadership style centered on empathy, compassion, and servant leadership.

A Daring Step into Marketing

After recovering, Ami took a daring step to move into marketing. She assumed an impactful role that filled the gap between sales and marketing, which would turn out to be a turning point in her career. Her work in this role caught the attention of senior leaders, including Gerri Elliott, EVP of Sales & Marketing at Cisco. The admiration, especially being referred to as a “badass” by Gerri, was not so much about her professional skills; it was about her grit and the special kind of leadership she had to offer.

It was under this period that Ami grasped her own leadership philosophy: one based on authenticity, resiliency, and a servant-leadership style. She realized that business success was not only about executing business outcomes but also about the people she elevated in the process.

Leadership at Fortinet: Embracing Authenticity and Resilience

Ami’s journey ultimately led her to Fortinet, where she currently serves as the Vice President of Marketing. Her reputation as a skilled and visionary leader preceded her, and she was welcomed with open arms. At Fortinet, Ami has continued to embrace the principles of transparency, collaboration, and servant leadership that have been at the heart of her approach.

As a Vice President, Ami’s leadership is defined by her ability to guide her team with a deep sense of purpose. She leads with authenticity, knowing that fostering trust and an open environment where individuals can bring their best selves is the key to success. Resilience is another core value, and Ami approaches challenges not as obstacles but as opportunities for growth. She holds high regard for teamwork, believing that varied viewpoints come up with enhanced solutions. Her servant leadership strategy ensures that the team is empowered, motivated, and supported to perform at their best.

Addressing Marketing Issues in the Digital Era

At Fortinet, Ami has been a part of the digital shift that is transforming the landscape of marketing. Perhaps the most dramatic change she’s seen is the increased emphasis on data-driven decision-making. Real-time information is more important than ever today in informing strategies and dictating customer interactions. As companies gather and analyze enormous amounts of information, they can better customize their messages to connect with customers on an individual level.

Ami has also pointed to the need for simplifying messages in an information-saturated world. Having the capacity to reduce dense concepts into straightforward, simple, and powerful messaging is essential. This allows Fortinet to engage its customers on meaningful levels by ensuring that their needs are taken care of and that communication is as effective as it is efficient.

Creating Team Motivation and Success

One of the most complex aspects of Ami’s role is ensuring that her team remains motivated and engaged, especially when working under pressure. Tight resources and aggressive timelines can often lead to burnout, and in such environments, it can be easy for hard work to go unrecognized. To overcome this, Ami emphasizes celebrating wins—no matter how small—and ensuring that the contributions of her team are visible to leadership. Open communication and goal alignment ensure that morale is kept high and the team is engaged in producing outstanding results.

Ami also puts a great deal of emphasis on building an empowered and high-performing team. By prioritizing the 20-80 rule—doing the 20% of things that produce 80% of the desired results—she ensures that her team concentrates on what is really important. Fostering a solutions-based approach, as opposed to focusing on problems, is another major strategy that fuels progress and innovation in her team.

Leading by Example: Balancing Professional and Personal Life

Ami’s leadership is not confined to her professional responsibilities alone. As a single mother and caretaker for her father, who suffers from dementia, she understands the importance of balance and the need to prioritize her physical and mental well-being. She has learned to manage her time and energy intentionally, ensuring that both her work and personal life receive the attention they deserve. Her self-care strategy—be it through yoga, travel, or hanging out with loved ones—allows her to replenish and present whole to both her team and family.

The connections Ami has made with her leaders and team have played a huge role in her capacity to keep this balance. She is a firm believer in the power of connection and is constantly motivated by her leaders, who are both mentors and collaborators. Their guidance and support have been instrumental in helping her cope with the intricacies of her professional and personal life.

A Leadership Journey Without Limits

Ami Tank’s life is a strong testament to the fact that resilience, genuine-ness, and a servant leadership style not only lead to personal development but also to corporate success. She is a chronicle of one who has transformed from being a project manager in Cisco to serving as Vice President at Fortinet through sheer resilience, adaptation to change, and purposeful leading. By her leadership, Ami has shown that difficulties are chances to learn, develop, and innovate, and that success is not measured by the success one achieves but by the effect one leaves on others.

As Ami gazes into the future, she continues to stand firm on her commitment to leading with empathy, embracing resilience, and holding fast to her values. For her, there are no boundaries—because with each obstacle she overcomes, she keeps on rising, inspiring, and leading by example. Indeed, for Ami Tank, the sky is merely the beginning.