Presidente da Avalara nomeia; ex-funcionário da Microsoft cria fórum de IA; Common Room inclui líder de produto – GeekWire

# Avalara appoints Ross Tennenbaum as new President

Seattle-based tax software company Avalara has announced the appointment of Ross Tennenbaum as its new president. Tennenbaum, who previously served as CFO, will now take on additional responsibilities overseeing the company’s main business lines and other departments. With a background that includes working at Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse, Tennenbaum played a key role in guiding Avalara through its successful IPO in 2018.

Avalara, founded in 2004, has grown to serve over 41,000 customers across 75 countries, providing solutions to help online retailers and businesses comply with complex tax regulations. The company recently sold to Vista Equity Partners for $8.4 billion, further solidifying its position in the industry.

## Stefan Weitz launches HumanX, a new platform for AI community and forum

Tech veteran Stefan Weitz, known for his extensive tenure at Microsoft, has embarked on a new venture with the launch of HumanX. Positioned as a community and forum for AI, HumanX aims to facilitate discussions, events, and advisory services related to responsible AI deployment. With a recent $6 million funding round and plans for an inaugural gathering in March 2025, the company is set to make a significant impact in the AI landscape.

Weitz’s vision for HumanX is to make AI accessible, understandable, and practical for organizations of all sizes, emphasizing the importance of responsible and sustainable deployment. Following his tenure at Microsoft, Weitz led initiatives at Radial and ventured into the startup space with Jetson, a probiotics company.

## Common Room welcomes Drew Spencer Leahy as product marketing lead

Seattle startup Common Room has brought on marketing expert Drew Spencer Leahy to lead its product marketing efforts. With a background that includes roles at Incredible Marketing, PatientNectar, KlientBoost, and HockeyStack, Leahy is poised to drive strategic initiatives for Common Room. Recognized as the Startup of the Year at the GeekWire Awards in 2022, Common Room focuses on strengthening connections between companies and their communities.

## The Russell Family Foundation expands board with new members

The Seattle-area nonprofit, The Russell Family Foundation, has announced the addition of Evlyn Andrade, executive director of EarthCorps, and Rashad Morris, principal and founder of Impact Donor Strategies, to its board. These new board members bring a wealth of experience and expertise in environmental conservation and philanthropy, aligning with the foundation’s mission to support impactful community initiatives.