2021 Predictions: Why these tech, science and startup leaders are upbeat about the year ahead January 2, 2021 at 11:29 am From top left, clockwise: Magdalena Balazinska, director of the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering; Oren Etzioni, CEO of the Allen Institute for AI; Leslie Alexandre, President and CEO of Life Science Washington; Leen Kawas, CEO of Athira Pharma; Peter Lee, CVP of Research and Incubations at Microsoft; Caroline Lewis, partner at Rogue Venture Partners; and Saad Bashir, CTO for City of Seattle. An “incredibly dynamic year of change,” a “new hope,” and a “gangbusters” year in which the tech sector will come “roaring back.”