Aya Healthcare Appoints Emily Hazen as Chief Executive Officer, Ushering in a New Era of Innovation and Growth
Aya Healthcare, the nation’s largest healthcare talent software and staffing company, has officially announced the appointment of Emily Hazen as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The leadership transition marks a pivotal moment in the company’s evolution as it continues to redefine workforce solutions in the healthcare industry. Founder and current CEO, Alan Braynin, will transition to a strategic advisor role, where he will continue to support the company’s long-term vision and growth initiatives.
This leadership change comes at a time when the healthcare industry is undergoing significant transformation. Challenges such as workforce shortages, increasing demand for care, and rising operational costs continue to pressure hospitals and healthcare systems across the United States. Aya Healthcare, with its robust technology-driven platform and deep staffing expertise, is uniquely positioned to address these systemic issues—an advantage the company plans to leverage further under Hazen’s leadership.
A Legacy of Innovation: Alan Braynin’s Founding Vision
Alan Braynin founded Aya Healthcare in 2001 with a bold mission: to revolutionize the healthcare staffing industry through the strategic integration of technology and personalized service. What began as a vision to improve how healthcare professionals connect with job opportunities has since evolved into the world’s largest digital staffing platform.
Braynin’s leadership has been characterized by relentless innovation and a commitment to making healthcare work better—for clinicians, hospitals, and patients alike. Under his guidance, Aya developed a proprietary technology platform that enables real-time job matching, streamlined credentialing, and end-to-end workforce management. This technology empowers healthcare providers to efficiently find and deploy top talent while helping clinicians discover flexible, career-enhancing opportunities.
Throughout his tenure, Braynin also championed efforts to make healthcare more affordable and accessible by addressing one of the sector’s most critical pain points: labor shortages. By facilitating better alignment between talent supply and demand, Aya has played a crucial role in reducing gaps in patient care and enhancing hospital efficiency nationwide.
As Braynin steps into a strategic advisory capacity, his influence and vision will remain central to the company’s continued evolution.
Introducing Emily Hazen: A Proven Leader for the Future
Stepping into the role of Chief Executive Officer is Emily Hazen, a seasoned executive with a deep understanding of healthcare operations, staffing, and workforce strategy. Hazen’s appointment represents both continuity and innovation. She brings with her years of experience within Aya, having most recently served in dual roles as Chief Operations Officer for Workforce Solutions and Executive Vice President of Process Optimization.
During her time in these positions, Hazen played an instrumental role in advancing Aya’s operational capabilities and optimizing internal processes to better serve clients, clinicians, and team members. She is widely respected for her ability to blend strategic insight with tactical execution—qualities that have helped Aya navigate periods of rapid growth and structural transformation.
One of Hazen’s most significant contributions to date has been the enhancement of Aya’s service delivery model. She spearheaded initiatives to improve client engagement, creating tailored service lines that address the specific needs of different healthcare organizations. Recognizing the changing dynamics of healthcare labor markets, she also led efforts to introduce new strategies for international recruitment, helping diversify and expand Aya’s talent pipeline.
As the healthcare landscape becomes increasingly complex, Hazen’s leadership will be key to developing scalable, future-ready solutions.
“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 in a statement. “Together, we will keep fostering Aya’s exceptional corporate culture with creativity, impact and lasting value.”
A Strategic Transition Amidst Industry Challenges
Hazen’s appointment comes at a critical juncture for healthcare systems across the country. The United States is facing an unprecedented shortage of healthcare workers. According to recent projections, the shortfall in nurses, physicians, and other essential medical professionals is expected to persist over the next decade, posing risks to patient outcomes and increasing stress on already strained health systems.
In this environment, the role of companies like Aya Healthcare is more vital than ever. Through its integrated staffing and software solutions, Aya provides healthcare organizations with the agility to respond to fluctuating workforce demands while ensuring quality of care remains uncompromised.
Hazen has already demonstrated a clear understanding of these macro trends. Her leadership style emphasizes strategic foresight, rapid innovation, and client-centric thinking—all essential for navigating today’s healthcare challenges.
A core part of her strategy moving forward will include doubling down on technology investments to enhance the user experience for both clinicians and healthcare organizations. From predictive analytics that forecast staffing needs to intelligent matching algorithms that reduce time-to-fill, Aya’s platform will continue to evolve under Hazen’s direction.
Continued Culture of Excellence and Innovation
Beyond business performance, Hazen is also committed to nurturing Aya’s strong internal culture, which has consistently been recognized for excellence. The company has received numerous accolades over the years for its workplace environment, including recognition as a top employer and as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S.
Hazen’s approach emphasizes inclusivity, collaboration, and a shared purpose. She believes that by fostering a values-driven culture, Aya can attract and retain top talent—both within the company and across its vast network of healthcare professionals.
“Aya’s culture is one of our most valuable assets,” she noted. “It’s built on a foundation of trust, integrity, and a shared passion for making a difference in people’s lives. As we look to the future, we’ll continue investing in our people just as much as in our technology, because that’s how we drive sustainable impact.”
Strategic Priorities for the Next Chapter
As CEO, Hazen will focus on several key strategic priorities:
- Technology Innovation: Continued development of Aya’s digital staffing platform with expanded AI capabilities, automation, and client customization features.
- Workforce Solutions Expansion: Scaling existing service lines while exploring new verticals and geographies for growth, including enhanced international recruitment strategies.
- Client-Centric Service Delivery: Deepening partnerships with healthcare organizations by offering flexible, value-driven staffing models tailored to specific operational needs.
- Talent Engagement: Investing in programs that support clinician well-being, career development, and long-term satisfaction.
Hazen’s appointment signals not only a leadership transition but also a recommitment to Aya Healthcare’s mission to empower healthcare providers and professionals. With a seasoned leadership team, advanced technology infrastructure, and a track record of sustained innovation, the company is poised to further strengthen its position as an indispensable partner in the healthcare ecosystem.
Aya Healthcare’s decision to appoint Emily Hazen as Chief Executive Officer reflects both a respect for its founding legacy and a bold vision for the future. As the healthcare industry faces new and complex challenges, Hazen brings the experience, insight, and leadership needed to guide the company into its next phase of growth. With Alan Braynin continuing to offer strategic guidance, Aya Healthcare remains in capable hands—ready to build upon its success and transform the future of healthcare staffing.
