Spyro Karetsos has been hired as the new chief compliance officer at digital remittance company Remitly, following his previous role as chief legal officer at Google. He brings extensive experience from executive positions at companies such as TD Ameritrade, SunTrust, Vanguard, and Goldman Sachs. Remitly reported a revenue of $269.1 million in its most recent quarter, a 32% increase year-over-year, though the company’s stock has seen a 30% decline this year. Last month, Remitly also brought on Ronit Peled as its new chief people officer.
Saurabh Tiwary, a former Microsoft executive, recently joined Google as vice president and general manager of Cloud AI. With 11 years at Microsoft, Tiwary was most recently in a corporate vice president role leading a team focused on Microsoft’s Copilot products and services. He had previously worked at Google from 2010-2013 as a software engineer. Other important personnel changes in the Pacific Northwest tech ecosystem include Craig Saunders, who moved from Amazon to London-based Builder.ai as vice president of artificial intelligence, and Sam Cook, who transitioned from Seattle startup Fixie.ai to Microsoft as principal product design manager.
Madrona, a venture capital firm, welcomed Rolanda Fu and Rasik Parikh as investors, with Fu joining from EY-Parthenon and Parikh from Cascadia Capital. Todd Ludwig also made a move to Valid8 Financial as executive vice president for sales, bringing his experience from companies such as DataVisor, Shape Security, IBM, HP Enterprise, and Akamai. Regan Zeebuyth joined Seattle startup Syndio as vice president of communications, having previously worked at Amazon and Starbucks. Madrona Venture Labs added Elizabeth Webber as product lead, with a background at Outreach, Rover, and Amazon, while Contrast Security appointed Jake Milstein as vice president of corporate communications, following his roles at Critical Insight.
Overall, the tech industry in the Pacific Northwest has seen a number of significant personnel changes, including key hires at various companies. Spyro Karetsos joining Remitly, Saurabh Tiwary moving to Google, and other executives shifting roles at firms such as Builder.ai, Microsoft, and Valid8 Financial reflect the dynamic nature of the sector. With experienced professionals like Rolanda Fu, Todd Ludwig, and Regan Zeebuyth entering new positions, there is a clear trend of talent movement and acquisition in the region. These changes signal growth and evolution in the tech ecosystem, as companies strive to strengthen their teams and advance their products and services.
The additions of professionals like Sam Cook at Microsoft, Elizabeth Webber at Madrona Venture Labs, and Jake Milstein at Contrast Security further enhance the expertise and capabilities within these organizations. With a focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, product design, sales, and communications, these new hires bring valuable experience and perspectives to their respective companies. The expansion of teams at startups like Syndio and established firms like Google and Amazon underscores the continued development and diversification of the tech landscape in the Pacific Northwest. As these companies navigate challenges and opportunities in the market, the strategic recruitment of top talent plays a crucial role in driving innovation and success in the industry.
