Tech Moves: Former Microsoft leader takes nonprofit CEO role; Google vet joins LinkedIn; Amazon leaders are leaving

– Steven VanRoekelthe long-time leader of Microsoft and America’s chief information officer under President Obama, is now the CEO of Land Species Project (ESP). The nonprofit research lab uses artificial intelligence to better understand animal communication in creatures ranging from carnivores to beluga whales.

VanRoekel, who is based in Bend, Ore., said his work is focused on driving at scale, and that ESP expects great success.

AI can “unlock the mysteries of our planet, especially about animal communication,” he said on the ESP blog. “Once we begin to unravel that mystery, we can see changes on the scale of Copernican or Galilean times in history: new science, new understanding, and perhaps most importantly, a new relationship with our planet.”

– Krzysztof Duleba he joined LinkedIn Bellevue, Wash., office as the leading engineer in its infrastructure program. Duleba spent his career at Google, working there for 18 years in roles in search, ads, maps, AI and cloud. In separate posts on LinkedIn, Duleba shared his career journey.

“Eighteen years ago, a kid from a village in Poland entered Google without knowing where he was entering. He came out a very different engineer, a father of three, and – he hopes – a better person,” Duleba wrote when announcing his departure from Google.

And about his new role: “LinkedIn is in the middle of a major infrastructure transformation, and time is of the essence. I think finding a reliable economy during this window, before agent development hits full force, is the difference between drowning in the AI ​​wave and catching it.”

– Based in London Dennis Stansbury he resigns Amazon after more than 18 years. He has held various leadership roles in European offices, most recently serving as chief product manager for Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios in the United Kingdom.

“I started in Seattle in March 2008, shortly after the launch of the Kindle but before Prime Video or Alexa had any ideas,” Stansbury said on LinkedIn, adding that he would “take a moment and think more about what’s next.”

– After 14 years Amazon, Miranda Chen he leaves his role as a director and technical advisor to leaders in the development of companies and businesses around the world. Chen, who is based in the San Francisco Bay Area, did not indicate his next move.

“I started working for Amazon at A9, a Bay Area subsidiary, where we could review key metrics for our off-site advertising business in one weekly meeting,” he said on LinkedIn. “We now have Amazon offices around the world and Amazon Ads is a huge business visually.”

– Scott Lawson, Amazon director of Global Real Estate and Facilities (GREF) design and construction, is leaving his role. Seattle-based Lawson has been with Amazon for about nine years. Previously, he was with Clark Construction Group working in development across the country. Lawson revealed on LinkedIn that information on his “next chapter” is coming soon.

– Danielle Decatur vice president of public engagement and communications Cloverleaf Infrastructureis a Seattle and Houston-based startup that connects landowners and energy providers to provide ready-to-build sites for data centers.

“I will dedicate myself to enabling data center infrastructure that serves and directly benefits communities,” Decatur said on LinkedIn. The sector is facing a backlash over concerns about electricity prices and the environmental impact of the facilities.

Decatur had been with Microsoft for more than 14 years, most recently as director of energy and sustainability. Cloverleaf founder Brian Janous is Microsoft’s vice president of energy. Earlier in his career, Decatur worked with the US Air Force and FEMA.

– Augmodo so called Bradford Snow as a chief technology officer. The Seattle startup develops wearable technology for retail store employees and Snow will focus on Augmodo’s technology vision and innovation strategy.

Snow joined the company from Axon, which sells taser devices and body cameras. His career includes leadership roles at multiple tech giants where he worked on a variety of virtual reality technologies such as AR and VR devices at Meta; Amazon’s Alexa AI and wearable technology for health and wellness; and HoloLens programs at Microsoft.

– Abhishek Mathur he is now chief technology and product officer ServiceTitanthe California-based software giant is building an agent operating system to serve trades like plumbing, electrical and roofing to automate workflows and support professionals in the field.

“This sector remains one of the largest untapped opportunities for technology to drive meaningful impact,” Mathur said on LinkedIn.

Mathur, who is based in the Seattle area, has held engineering leadership roles at Meta and has been with Microsoft for more than 11 years. He was most recently at Figma as senior VP of engineering.

– Anush Kumar he is now the founder and CEO of Intelligent Systemsa Bellevue, Wash.-based startup that aims to “revolutionize workflow” with AI tools.

“We’re on a mission to help businesses stop driving and start producing,” Kumar said in a LinkedIn post that included links to five articles explaining the group’s approach.

Kumar was previously head of product automation at Atlassian. Other previous roles include VP of technology at Expedia Group, senior VP of product at Zendesk, and director roles at Oracle and Avanade. His first technical role was as a lead product manager at Microsoft.

– Chris Cappello he joined Provn as vice president of marketing. Cappello has worked in a number of marketing roles at companies including WE Communications, Marina Maher Communications and M-Squared. He and Provn CEO Nikesh Parekh both worked earlier in their careers at HouseValues, which was rebranded as Market Leader.

Provn, a new Seattle startup, wants companies to ditch the traditional resume and replace it with real work portfolios and challenge-based assessments.

– Fred Hutch Cancer Center appointed two new leaders. Dr. Mazyar Shadman again Vyshak Venur were named deputy medical officers, effective April 1. Shadman will serve as deputy CMO for classic hematology, hematological diseases, transplantation and immunotherapy, while Venur will be deputy CMO for solid tumor services and acute care services.

And two Fred Hutch researchers received endowed chairs: Drs. Soheil Meshinchiworld leader in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia, awarded the Dylan Burke Endowed Chair in Immunotherapy; again Holly Harris received the first Bus Family Endowed Chair in recognition of her work in the prevention, early detection and precision oncology of ovarian, uterine and breast cancer.

– Seattle Marianne Bichselformer VP of external affairs at Comcast, has started Social Issues Involveda PR and policy firm that advises “leaders at the intersection of government, public trust, and corporate responsibility.” The founders of Bichsel are Julie Andersonwho has worked in city and Washington government, and Natasha Jonesa longtime leader in King County government.

– Theodoraa wine recommendation app in the Seattle area, nominated Lindsey Singhavi as its marketing lead.

– If you missed it, GeekWire took a deeper dive Here are some of the most recent technological advances (in some random order, except for the first item):

• Taylor Soper appointed director of Seattle’s AI House after an impressive run at GeekWire
• Allen Institute for AI CEO Ali Farhadi steps down as nonprofit moves to transform AI landscape
• USAFacts taps former DataKind CEO Lauren Woodman as new president
• Microsoft EVP Rajesh Jha retires after 35 years in latest departure from senior leadership team
• Atlassian layoffs affect 63 employees in Washington as CTO steps down