Tech Moves: Amazon PR Leader Joins Bastion; Accolade SVP steps down; Partner of Elevate Capital names

– Former head of communications for Amazon Rebecca Nicodemus now the head Bastion Americathe newly launched US office of Bastion, a London-based marketing agency specializing in the video game industry. The company expects to have a Seattle hub while hiring employees based around the country.

Nicodemus was at Amazon for nearly ten years, most recently in a communications role leading Amazon Web Services. Most of his tenure was with Amazon games. Before Amazon, Nicodemus ran the Los Angeles office of PR firm Grayling.

“We’ve worked closely with Rebekah while at Amazon and know that her drive to succeed is perfectly aligned with Bastion’s client-first approach,” Ravi Vijh, Bastion’s managing director, said in a statement.

– Joseph Williamsa longtime Seattle-area leader at the intersection of technology and government services, is now director of governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC) at The Artemis Connection. Artemis is a strategic consulting firm serving leaders in all business sectors.

Williams most recently served as interim director of the Washington State Broadband Office within the Department of Commerce. He is also the volunteer executive director of the Northwest Quantum Nexus, a quantum research support group.

– The beginning of Seattle empathic announced new C-suite additions as it expands product offerings. The company provides software to AI developers and companies to better ensure the safety of artificial intelligence platforms that help young people seeking mental health and medical support.

• Rebekah Bastian now the chief marketing officer at empathic. Bastian is the founder and former CEO of career and lifestyle navigation platform OwnTrail and former vice president of community and culture at Zillow Group. He was most recently senior VP of marketing and product at Glowforge.
• Alison Cerezoempathic since 2023, he has been promoted to the position of scientific officer. Cerezo was previously a principal investigator at the California Department of Public Health and an associate professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

– Ben Nahir he is still a partner in Raise CapitalNahir, who lives in the Seattle area, has been with Elevate since 2018 and previously worked at TiE Oregon, an organization that supports entrepreneurs through mentoring and angel investing.

“Ben has played a key role in expanding Elevate’s portfolio and advancing its mission of empowering underrepresented innovators,” Elevate said in a statement. “In the past four years, he has been very successful as a principal after three years as a best friend.”

– Liz Ferega he left his role as SVP of revenue and growth leadership To praise. Ferega has been with the company for more than six years. Accolade provides healthcare delivery, navigation and employer advocacy services. The company, which went public in 2020, is based in Seattle and the Philadelphia area. Ferega worked in St. Petersburg, Fla.

– Lisa Chin was named CEO of Jumais a San Francisco-based nonprofit that works to break the cycle of poverty by empowering youth in the Seattle and California tech hubs. Chin was the founding executive director of Year Up Seattle, a workforce training program focused on IT, software, business roles and customer experience.

– Samantha Temple Neukoma longtime business professional in Seattle whose clients include Microsoft, Apptio and others, is making a career move — but she’s mum on what’s to come. His most recent role was co-founder and CEO of a brand strategy company Northboundhe operated for more than 13 years.

“This conclusion came with clarity, which I would not have reached if it were not for the many leaders, clients, and friends who provided their knowledge, network, and wisdom as I inquired about my growth, purpose, and next chapter,” Neukom said on LinkedIn.

– Megan McNallya longtime legal advisor to startups, opened a new practice called Edgewater Business Law PLLC. McNally founded the FBomb Breakfast Club, a peer support community for female founders and business owners, and runs the FBomb Angels Investment Club.

— The Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA) the nominee Brianna Rockenstire as master of ceremonies. Rockenstire was previously director of the Center of Excellence for Information & Computing Technology, an organization in Bellevue, Wash., that focused on supporting workforce development through community and technical colleges.

– Kory Matthewsa recently retired Boeing executive with nearly 40 years with the company, has joined the company’s board of directors. Nautilus. The San Diego-based aerospace manufacturer builds high-performance aircraft to carry passengers and cargo. Natilus on Tuesday announced a new $28 million round of funding.

— BC-based General Fusion the nominee Wendy Kei as a strategic advisor. The energy company recently announced a deal to go public with a $1 billion SPAC deal. Kei serves on numerous boards, including chairman of the board of Ontario Power Generation and was most recently CFO of a Canadian diamond mining company.