SAN DIEGO, CA, May 8, 2025 — Aya Healthcare, the largest healthcare talent software and staffing company in the United States, today announced the appointment of Emily Hazen as its new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding company founder Alan Braynin, who will transition into a strategic advisor role.
Hazen’s appointment signals a continued focus on technology-driven innovation, workforce transformation, and delivering solutions that support both clinicians and healthcare systems nationwide.
“It’s an honor to build upon Aya Healthcare’s legacy and advance our mission to help clients and clinicians care for their communities through continued investments in technologies to drive further innovations,” said Hazen.
Braynin founded Aya Healthcare in 2001 with a clear mission: to reimagine healthcare staffing through the integration of powerful technology and exceptional service. Over the past two decades, he has led Aya to become a market leader, launching the world’s largest digital staffing platform—one that connects healthcare professionals directly with hospitals and healthcare systems. His leadership has enabled clinicians to grow their careers while helping hospitals deliver high-quality care, all while driving efficiencies that reduce the total cost of healthcare.
Reflecting on the leadership transition, Braynin shared, “Aya set out to achieve something unique in the healthcare staffing industry. Emily Hazen is a highly effective leader with strategic vision and a relentless drive to innovate. I have the utmost confidence that she is a next generation leader that will bring Aya to new heights and inspire excellence.”
Hazen brings deep operational expertise to her new role, having most recently served as Chief Operations Officer for Workforce Solutions and Executive Vice President of Process Optimization. In these roles, she played a central part in scaling Aya during a phase of transformative growth, enhancing the organization’s technology capabilities and streamlining how they serve clinicians, clients, and internal teams.
With the healthcare industry facing ongoing workforce shortages and increasing demand on care systems, Hazen has been a driving force behind efforts to future-proof Aya’s operations. She led initiatives to elevate client experience, introduced bespoke service models tailored to evolving needs, and developed robust strategies to address workforce disruptions. Notably, she also spearheaded an international recruitment approach to broaden Aya’s access to high-quality clinical talent.
“It’s an honor to build upon Aya Healthcare’s legacy and advance our mission to help clients and clinicians care for their communities through continued investments in technologies to drive further innovations. Together, we will keep fostering Aya’s exceptional corporate culture with creativity, impact and lasting value,” Hazen reiterated.
