Brent Frei, the co-founder of Smartsheet, is leaving the board of directors to focus on his new startup, TerraClear, an agriculture technology company. Katie Rooney, CFO and COO of Alight Solutions, will be joining Smartsheet’s board. The departure of Frei, who played a critical role in launching Smartsheet in 2005, marks a significant change for the company. Smartsheet recently surpassed $1 billion in annualized recurring revenue, showcasing its growth and success in the enterprise work management technology space.
Elena Gomez, the CFO of Toast, is also leaving Smartsheet’s board after a seven-year tenure. Mark Mader, the CEO of Smartsheet, expressed gratitude for Frei’s contributions to the company over the years, noting that his insights have helped shape Smartsheet into what it is today. Rooney’s extensive experience in finance and operations, including roles at Alight Solutions, Aon Hewitt, and Morgan Stanley, will bring valuable expertise to the board as Smartsheet continues to evolve and grow.
In addition to Smartsheet’s board changes, several key personnel changes have been happening across the Pacific Northwest tech industry. Seattle e-commerce startup Pandion recently announced a $41.5 million Series B round and brought on new executives, including Brent Cervenka as COO, Jeff Petersen as head of network design and strategy, Jay Sackos as VP of sales, and Austin Luhman as head of product. These new hires bring diverse backgrounds from companies such as Amazon, Flexport, and Walmart, adding valuable expertise to Pandion.
Peat Bakke, a seasoned engineering leader with experience at companies like eBay and Kickstarter, joined Spokane-based fintech company Treasury 4 as VP of engineering. Leah Grogan Sakas, a former executive at Zillow Group and Invitation Homes, joined Oyster Data, a real estate data startup in Seattle, as executive of product and operations. Microsoft appointed Sarah Bird as chief product officer of its Responsible AI team, bringing her back to the company for her second stint.
Greater Seattle Partners, an initiative focused on attracting investment and quality jobs to the Seattle area, added Yelena Kalashnikova as marketing director and Victoria DePalma as research manager. These new hires across various tech companies in the Pacific Northwest reflect the continued growth and innovation in the region’s technology ecosystem. As companies like Smartsheet and Pandion expand and evolve, bringing on new talent and expertise will be crucial for staying competitive and driving further success in the industry.
