regional: Tech Moves: Amazon’s healthcare business gets new leader
Neil Lindsay is stepping down as SVP of Amazon Health Services after five years, succeeded by telehealth veteran Dr. Roy Schoenberg. Concurrently, Avalara co-founder Scott McFarlane is resigning as CEO, with Hugo Sarrazin taking the top executive role. These significant leadership changes mark new eras for two prominent tech companies and their respective ventures.
The tech industry is abuzz with significant leadership shifts this week, as Amazon's ambitious healthcare division welcomes a new chief and Avalara, the tax software giant, sees its co-founder depart the CEO role. These high-profile transitions signal evolving strategies and new chapters for key players in the Pacific Northwest tech community and beyond.
Amazon Health Services Appoints New Leader
Neil Lindsay, who has steered Amazon Health Services as its senior vice president for the past five years and been with the tech giant for a total of 15 years, is stepping down from his role. During his tenure, Lindsay oversaw the growth of critical divisions including Amazon Pharmacy, One Medical, Health AI, and Health Benefits Connector, transforming them from nascent projects into a business serving millions of customers, according to Doug Herrington, CEO of Amazon’s Worldwide Stores.
Succeeding Lindsay is Dr. Roy Schoenberg, a physician with extensive experience in digital health. Schoenberg is the founder of Amwell, a prominent telehealth platform he led as CEO and president until two years ago. Amwell is known for its partnerships with large healthcare systems, insurers, and public health agencies. Lindsay will officially transition out of his executive position on July 1st, continuing in an advisory capacity until the end of the year. In a public letter to colleagues, Lindsay expressed his belief in Amazon's ability to simplify the complex healthcare landscape, a mission he plans to continue pursuing through personal projects and advising other healthcare companies.
Avalara Co-founder Scott McFarlane Departs CEO Role
In another major executive announcement, Scott McFarlane, who co-founded tax software firm Avalara 22 years ago on Bainbridge Island, Wash., is resigning as CEO. McFarlane will transition into an advisory role, maintaining a connection to the company he helped build. Avalara, which moved its headquarters to North Carolina following its 2022 acquisition by Vista Equity Partners, still retains a significant presence in Seattle.
Taking the helm as Avalara's new CEO is Hugo Sarrazin. Sarrazin joins the company from Udemy, where he previously served as president and CEO of the professional education platform. His appointment marks a new leadership era for Avalara as it continues to navigate the evolving landscape of tax compliance technology.
Additional Notable Tech Moves
Beyond these top-tier leadership changes, several other significant personnel shifts are shaping the broader tech ecosystem:
Nancy Xiao Joins OpenAI's Consumer Devices Team: Relocating from Seattle to San Francisco, Nancy Xiao has joined the Consumer Devices team at OpenAI. Xiao brings a wealth of experience, having previously served as a product lead at Meta, where she focused on VR devices and accessories. Her move comes as Meta has faced multiple rounds of layoffs this year, including significant cuts to its Seattle-area workforce and its VR and AR programs. Before her time at Meta, Xiao led Mason, a Seattle-based startup specializing in custom hardware and software for Android devices.
Overland AI Welcomes Army Maj. Gen. Clay Hutmacher as Advisor: Seattle startup Overland AI, recognized as No. 12 on the GeekWire 200 index and a finalist for Next Tech Titan at the 2026 GeekWire Awards, has appointed retired Army Maj. Gen. Clay Hutmacher as an advisor. Overland AI is developing autonomous vehicle software and hardware tailored for challenging off-road military environments. Hutmacher's distinguished career spans over four decades in U.S. Special Operations, aviation, and joint operations, offering invaluable expertise to the company.
Dropbox Names Former Amazon Director Ashraf Alkarmi Co-CEO: Ashraf Alkarmi, an alumnus of Amazon where he held roles such as director and general manager of Freevee (formerly IMDb TV) and head of product for Amazon Restaurants, has been named co-CEO of Dropbox. Based in Seattle, Alkarmi succeeds Dropbox co-founder Drew Houston, signaling a new leadership structure for the cloud storage and collaboration company.
InduPro Appoints Dr. Amanda Redig as Chief Medical Officer: InduPro, a biotech startup jointly headquartered in Seattle and Cambridge, Mass., and founded in 2022, has appointed Dr. Amanda Redig as its chief medical officer. The company is focused on developing treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases. Dr. Redig is a medical oncologist with a background that includes roles at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and various life sciences companies.
General Fusion Recruits Joanna Cameron as General Counsel: British Columbia-based clean energy company General Fusion has named Joanna Cameron as its general counsel and corporate secretary. This appointment comes as the company prepares for a significant milestone: going public. Cameron's experience includes serving as a partner at multiple law firms and leading the legal team at uranium mining company NexGen Energy.
These "tech moves" collectively reflect the dynamic nature of the industry, where innovation, strategic shifts, and the pursuit of new opportunities drive continuous change in leadership and corporate direction. From healthcare technology to autonomous systems and biotech, these appointments will undoubtedly influence the future trajectories of their respective organizations.
FAQ
Q: What specific parts of Amazon's healthcare business did Neil Lindsay oversee? A: Neil Lindsay, as SVP of Amazon Health Services, oversaw key divisions including Amazon Pharmacy, One Medical, Health AI, and Health Benefits Connector. He was instrumental in developing these from experimental stages to serving millions of customers.
Q: Where is Avalara headquartered, and what is its connection to the Pacific Northwest? A: Avalara was originally co-founded on Bainbridge Island, Wash., and maintained a Seattle presence. While its headquarters relocated to North Carolina after its acquisition by Vista Equity Partners in 2022, it still retains operations in the Seattle area.
Q: What is Dr. Roy Schoenberg's background before joining Amazon Health Services? A: Dr. Roy Schoenberg is a physician who founded Amwell, a telehealth platform, in 2006. He served as its CEO and president until two years prior to joining Amazon. Amwell collaborates with major healthcare systems, insurers, and public health agencies.
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