San Diego, CA — Aya Healthcare, the largest healthcare talent software and staffing company in the U.S., has named Emily Hazen as its new Chief Executive Officer. Company founder Alan Braynin will transition into a strategic advisor role after more than two decades leading the organization.
Hazen steps into the CEO role following a tenure as Chief Operations Officer for Workforce Solutions and Executive Vice President of Process Optimization. In those positions, she played a central role in advancing Aya’s technology platforms, redefining client service models, and driving innovation during a period of rapid growth.
“It’s an honor to build upon Aya Healthcare’s legacy and advance our mission to help clients and clinicians care for their communities,” Hazen said. “We will continue investing in technologies that fuel innovation while strengthening Aya’s corporate culture with creativity, impact, and long-term value.”
Braynin, who founded Aya in 2001, led the company’s transformation of the healthcare staffing industry by combining tech-driven tools with a people-first approach. Under his leadership, Aya created the world’s largest digital platform connecting healthcare professionals directly with hospitals and systems across the country. His work helped streamline staffing processes, improve career opportunities for clinicians, and reduce costs for healthcare providers.
“Emily is a visionary leader with the experience and strategic insight to guide Aya into its next chapter,” said Braynin. “Her commitment to innovation and operational excellence will help Aya reach new heights.”
In her previous roles, Hazen focused on enhancing the client experience and designing new service lines tailored to healthcare organizations. She also developed strategies to manage workforce disruptions and launched international recruitment initiatives to address critical staffing shortages in the industry.
As the healthcare sector continues to face rising demand and labor shortages, Hazen’s appointment signals Aya’s ongoing commitment to scaling its workforce solutions and driving forward with technology-enabled staffing innovation.
