Leadership Transitions and Innovations in Seattle’s Corporate Landscape

Starbucks Appoints Cathy Smith as CFO Amid Restructuring

In a significant move to strengthen its financial strategy, Starbucks welcomed Cathy Smith as its new Chief Financial Officer. Smith brings a wealth of experience from her tenures at Nordstrom, Bright Health, Target, Express Scripts, Walmart, and notably, Raytheon, where she served for over two decades. Her appointment follows the departure of Rachel Ruggeri, who dedicated over 20 years to Starbucks, ascending to the CFO role in 2021. Smith’s extensive background in managing finances for both retail and defense sectors positions her strategically to navigate Starbucks through its current challenges. The coffee giant is undergoing a restructuring phase, marked by the layoff of 1,100 corporate employees, including 612 in Seattle. This move, one of the largest in the company’s history, reflects CEO Brian Niccol’s strategic shift towards technology to revitalize the brand’s performance.

Avanade Strengthens Leadership Team with Seasoned Executives

Avanade, a Seattle-based tech consulting firm born from the joint venture of Accenture and Microsoft, has announced a series of strategic C-suite appointments. Danielle Brady, with over 25 years at Accenture, joins as Chief Operating Officer, while Ashley Gatehouse, formerly at QUANTIQ, takes on the role of Chief Marketing Officer. Rani Gopalakrishnan, a veteran of 11 years at Accenture, is now the global lead of advanced technology centers. Ruth Rowan, previously Avanade’s CMO, transitions to Chief Growth Officer, and Nisha Verma, with nearly two decades at Accenture, assumes the role of Chief People Officer. These appointments underscore Avanade’s commitment to leveraging its Accenture-Microsoft heritage to drive innovation and growth. The new leadership team is poised to enhance the company’s market position under the guidance of CEO Rodrigo Caserta, who succeeded Pamela Maynard in September.

Dr. John McHutchison Brings Visionary Expertise to Tune Therapeutics

Tune Therapeutics, a pioneering biotech company headquartered in Seattle and Durham, N.C., has appointed Dr. John McHutchison as its new CEO. McHutchison’s illustrious career includes leading Velia and Assembly Biosciences, and spearheading Gilead Sciences’ R&D efforts, which resulted in breakthrough treatments for chronic Hepatitis C. He succeeds Dan McHugh, a co-founder who served as interim CEO. Tune Therapeutics is at the forefront of epigenetic editing, a revolutionary approach to controlling gene expression without altering DNA. Having recently announced a $175 million funding round, the company launched its first clinical trials in New Zealand and Hong Kong, testing a novel treatment for chronic Hepatitis B. McHutchison’s leadership is expected to propel Tune Therapeutics into new territories of medical innovation.

Umoja Biopharma Enriches Its Leadership with Dr. Luke Walker

Dr. Luke Walker has joined Seattle’s Umoja Biopharma as Chief Medical Officer, bringing his extensive expertise in oncology and immunotherapy. Previously, Walker held leadership roles at Harpoon Therapeutics, Seagen, and Cascadian Therapeutics, and practiced as an oncologist at The Everett Clinic. His appointment aligns with Umoja’s focus on advancing CAR T cell therapies for cancer treatment. The company’s recent $100 million Series C funding underscores its potential in the biopharma sector. Walker’s deep understanding of clinical research and his experience in leading innovative therapeutic developments position Umoja Biopharma to make significant strides in cancer research.

Siteimprove and SmartRent See Leadership Transitions

Nayaki Nayyar, former CEO of the cybersecurity unicorn Securonix, has taken the helm at Siteimprove, a company dedicated to enhancing website functionality. Her tenure at Securonix, where she steered the company to a $1 billion valuation, highlights her strategic acumen. Siteimprove’s executive team, primarily based in Bellevue, Washington, is now supported by Nayyar’s vision. Meanwhile, Shane Paladin, Siteimprove’s former CEO, has transitioned to SmartRent, a leader in smart home automation for property managers. Ali Shaffer, previously chief of staff at Siteimprove, joins SmartRent as EVP of strategic operations, further reinforcing the companies’ ties.

Andrea Varsavsky and Niccolo de Masi Bring New Perspectives to Their Roles

Andrea Varsavsky has been appointed Chief Operating Officer at Sage Bionetworks, a nonprofit leveraging AI and collaboration to advance healthcare research. Her 20 years of experience in healthcare technology, including roles at Evidation and Medtronic, equips her to drive Sage’s mission to accelerate clinical trials and AI-driven research. Meanwhile, Niccolo de Masi, former CEO of dMY Technology Group, is now president and CEO of IonQ, a leader in quantum computing. De Masi’s transition from IonQ’s board to its top role positions him to steer the company’s growth, particularly as it expands its operations in Bothell, Washington.

Shiftboard and Ravensburger North America Welcome New Leaders

Bill Phillips has joined Shiftboard, a Seattle-based provider of workforce scheduling software, as Vice President of Professional Services. Phillips succeeds Peter Draper, who retired after six years of service. His background at WorkJam and Ceridian ensures a smooth transition. In a unique career shift, Greg Tito, former communications manager at Wizards of the Coast and deputy director for the Washington Secretary of State, is now director of communications at Ravensburger North America, a leading toy and puzzle manufacturer. Tito’s diverse experience underscores the versatility of communication professionals in navigating different industries.

These leadership changes reflect the dynamic and evolving nature of Seattle’s corporate landscape, emphasizing innovation, expertise, and strategic vision across various sectors.