Tina-Marie Gulley has been appointed as the CEO of Ada Developers Academy after serving as interim chief executive since April. Gulley’s passion for empowering underrepresented groups in tech aligns perfectly with Ada’s mission as a tuition-free software development boot camp for women and minorities. The organization, which began as a Technology Alliance project, became a standalone nonprofit in 2015 and has since seen impressive success in getting graduates placed in jobs. However, due to the pandemic, Ada had to cut its available spots and lay off nearly half of its staff last year, leading to former CEO Lauren Sato’s resignation and the brief tenure of interim CEO Shawna Young before Gulley’s appointment.
Gulley brings a marketing leadership background from companies such as Edelman, Amplero, SmartFocus, and Avalara to her new CEO role at Ada. The organization is now focusing on strengthening its curriculum with an emphasis on artificial intelligence and expanding its partnerships beyond the tech sector. Ada’s board chair, Latoya Singleton, expressed excitement about the impact of Gulley’s leadership on the future of the organization.
Mike Zinne, former chief customer officer of Seattle-based sales automation software company Outreach, is returning to Quiq as its chief experience officer after seven years with the company. Zinne’s departure coincides with Outreach CEO Manny Medina’s announcement that he is leaving the startup he helped launch. Quiq, based in Bozeman, Mont., uses artificial intelligence to enable conversations between brands and customers on multiple platforms. Zinne will work remotely in his new role.
Kartik Talamadupula, formerly the director of AI at Symbl, has taken on the role of head of AI for Wand AI, a San Francisco-based company developing AI-driven solutions for data analysis, decision-making, and workflow automation. Talamadupula’s focus is on using AI planning, reasoning, and learning to facilitate collaboration between humans and technology. Despite Wand being based in San Francisco, Talamadupula will continue to work from the Seattle area, indicating the continued growth of the tech industry in the region.
Ron Marquardt, vice president of advanced technologies and innovation at T-Mobile, has joined the board of directors at Seattle’s Technology Alliance. This move highlights the growing collaboration between tech companies in the area. In other news, Brian Turner retired from the board of MicroVision after more than 20 years of service, including a stint as board chair. MicroVision, a leader in MEMS lidar technology based in Redmond, Wash., expressed gratitude for Turner’s role in helping the company navigate various market environments over the years.
Overall, the tech industry in Seattle and surrounding areas is undergoing a period of change with new leadership appointments and strategic shifts in focus. From Ada Developers Academy’s renewed dedication to empowering underrepresented groups in tech to the expansion of AI-driven solutions at companies like Wand AI, the region continues to be a hub of innovation and growth in the tech sector. With leaders like Tina-Marie Gulley, Mike Zinne, and Kartik Talamadupula at the helm, these organizations are poised for continued success and impact in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
