Andy Larson Joins Yoodli as CFO: A Look at Recent Leadership Movements in Seattle’s Tech Ecosystem
Seattle’s vibrant tech landscape continues to evolve with notable leadership changes across various sectors. Andy Larson, a seasoned financial leader with extensive experience in Seattle startups, has recently joined AI communication platform Yoodli as CFO. With an impressive track record that includes financial leadership roles at Logixboard, Jobalign, and Remitly, Larson brings valuable scaling expertise to Yoodli. “Yoodli is growing quickly, and bringing on an experienced CFO reinforces that we’re building for the long term,” noted CEO Varun Puri, highlighting Larson’s ability to “scale companies responsibly while keeping the customer experience front and center.” Founded in 2021 at Seattle’s AI2 incubator, Yoodli uses generative AI to analyze speech patterns and provide communication improvement tips. The startup recently secured $13.7 million in funding, signaling strong investor confidence in its innovative approach to communication enhancement technology.
The biotech and AI sectors in Seattle are also experiencing significant leadership transitions. A-Alpha Bio, a UW spinout leveraging machine learning for antibody development, appointed Troy Lionberger as chief business officer. With previous experience at Abbratech and Berkeley Lights, Lionberger joins a company that has raised an impressive $65.5 million through investments and grants since its 2017 launch. Meanwhile, the academic-industry crossover continues as Siddhartha “Sidd” Srinivasa, a UW computer science professor and robotics expert, joined Madrona Venture Group as a venture partner. His background spans nearly two decades at Carnegie Mellon University, collaboration with Amazon on robotics engineering for fulfillment centers, and co-founding robotics company Berkshire Grey, making him a valuable addition to Seattle’s venture capital ecosystem.
Legal and entrepreneurial support networks are strengthening with new leadership as well. Attorney Pallavi Mehta Wahi, after nearly two decades with K&L Gates, has opened and now leads a new Seattle office for Arnold & Porter, a national regulatory firm providing legal counsel to local businesses. Her dual role as chair of Western U.S. Strategic Growth and her board position with the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce underscore her commitment to the region’s business community. In the entrepreneurial support space, tech leader Sonu Aggarwal has taken the helm as president of TiE Seattle, a global nonprofit supporting entrepreneurs. As founder and chief technologist of Bellevue-based Unify Square (acquired by Unisys for over $152 million in 2021) and a former Microsoft manager, Aggarwal brings valuable startup experience to his new leadership role.
The tech leadership shuffle extends to companies focused on real estate, telecommunications, and cybersecurity. MoxiWorks, a Seattle-based real estate platform, appointed Kim Koraca as chief marketing officer. Koraca, who previously ran a marketing consulting firm that served MoxiWorks, brings experience from eZsign, eZmax, and Constellation1 to help the company focus on its sales and marketing solutions after divesting its MoxiBalance accounting product. T-Mobile welcomed Abdurazak Mudesir to its board of directors. As group CTO of Deutsche Telekom AG (T-Mobile’s majority owner), Mudesir oversees network building, maintenance, and security. In the cybersecurity sector, Seattle tech veteran Praerit Garg has become CEO of California-based One Identity. With a career spanning Microsoft, AWS, and most recently Smartsheet (where he served as president of product and innovation), Garg is positioned to leverage his extensive experience in the AI-powered identity solutions space.
Several other significant leadership moves highlight the dynamic nature of the Pacific Northwest’s business ecosystem. The Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence (AI2) promoted David Albright to head of design and communications, while Redmond-based ultrasound manufacturer EchoNous welcomed Tony Titus as CEO. Bradd Busick joined Frazier Healthcare Partners as principal of AI, data and technology enablement after serving as CIO at MultiCare Health System. MeyerPro, a longstanding AV and broadcast company with offices in Portland and Kirkland, appointed Doug Kamm as CEO. On the e-commerce front, Erika Reynoso, formerly with Amazon’s public relations team, has become head of global public affairs for Coupang, South Korea’s largest e-commerce platform headquartered in Seattle. These transitions demonstrate the continuing growth and evolution of the region’s technology and healthcare sectors.
The investment landscape is also seeing notable shifts as several venture capital leaders transition to new roles. Nolan Van Nortwick is departing Seattle investment firm Fuse for a principal position with Riot Ventures in Los Angeles. Jon Maroney is stepping down as general partner at Oregon Venture Fund but will remain connected as a venture partner and advisor, expressing interest in future roles at “the intersection of AI, systems innovation and community.” Similarly, Julie Harrelson is moving to an emeritus role at Cascade Seed Fund after helping found the Pacific Northwest-based, software-focused investment firm twelve years ago. Meanwhile, media leader Emily Parkhurst, founder and CEO of Formidable and former publisher of the Puget Sound Business Journal, has joined the board of Seattle’s KUOW Public Radio. And Anson Fatland, associate vice provost at UW’s CoMotion entrepreneurial hub, has taken on the role of board president for the Washington Trails Association, reflecting the diverse interests of the region’s business leaders and their commitment to community organizations beyond their professional roles.
