Accolade, a healthcare software company based in Seattle, recently appointed Kelsi McDonald Harris as chief people officer and senior vice president. McDonald Harris, who joined the company in 2017 and previously served as vice president of strategy and planning, will oversee employee experience for the company, which has over 2,400 employees, including 120 in Seattle. She will be taking over for Jennifer Hanson, who is transitioning to an advisory role. The company, founded in 2007, provides healthcare delivery, navigation, and advocacy services through employers and went public in 2020, although its stock has declined by 20% over the past year following a round of layoffs.
In addition to Accolade, there have been several other key personnel moves in the Pacific Northwest tech industry. Leo Olebe, formerly global head of gaming at YouTube, has joined Microsoft as vice president of global partnerships for Xbox after previously holding senior positions at Facebook. Trupanion, a Seattle-based pet insurance company, hired Steve Ireland as senior vice president of conversion marketing. Ireland, who previously worked at BluePearl and Pet Partners, brings significant experience to the role. Abi Harmon, based in Seattle, has been appointed as executive vice president at e-commerce startup Pacvue, having previously served as CEO of Perpetua and held retail positions at Amazon and Target.
Rad Power Bikes, a Seattle-based e-bike company, promoted Kelsey Wolf to director of public relations. Wolf, who joined the company in 2020 after working at Zillow Group, will now lead public relations efforts for the growing company. Sheilin Herrick, a Seattle marketing veteran who has held leadership roles at SHL and Karat, recently joined Amazon as a senior partner marketing manager for Amazon Shipping. With her extensive experience in marketing, Herrick will play a key role in driving partnerships and marketing strategies for Amazon’s shipping services.
These recent personnel changes highlight the dynamic nature of the Pacific Northwest tech industry, with companies across various sectors making strategic hires to drive growth and innovation. From healthcare software to e-commerce and gaming, top talent is being recruited to lead key functions and drive business objectives. As companies navigate challenges such as layoffs, public offerings, and market fluctuations, having experienced and skilled leadership in place is essential to ensuring continued success and growth. The appointment of McDonald Harris at Accolade and the other recent hires in the region demonstrate a commitment to building strong teams and driving business forward in a rapidly evolving industry.
Overall, the Pacific Northwest tech industry continues to see significant activity in terms of personnel moves and strategic hires, with companies focusing on building talented teams to support their growth and innovation agendas. Accolade, Microsoft, Trupanion, Pacvue, Rad Power Bikes, and Amazon are just a few of the companies making key leadership appointments to drive their businesses forward. With experienced professionals joining these companies from diverse backgrounds such as gaming, pet insurance, e-commerce, and marketing, the industry is positioned for further growth and development in the coming years. By attracting and retaining top talent, these companies are well-positioned to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities in the competitive tech landscape of the Pacific Northwest.
