Hi, I'm Emerson.
I'm the Chief Evangelist for Amazon Alexa, which means my job is to stand at the intersection of what we're building and the people who'll build on top of it — developers, partners, press, and the curious. I translate ambitious technology into ideas people can act on.
For more than two decades I've worked in developer relations and evangelism, helping platforms find their voice and helping communities find their footing on new technology. I've learned that the hard part is rarely the code — it's trust, clarity, and giving people a reason to care.
Right now I'm focused on a genuinely exciting inflection point: the arrival of large language models is turning voice from a rigid command interface into something that finally feels like conversation. Alexa+ is our bet on that future, and I get to help the world understand what it means to build for a world where the interface quietly disappears.
What I believe
The best technology is the kind you stop noticing. Ambient computing isn't about adding more screens to your life — it's about needing fewer of them. I believe voice and AI, done right, give people back their attention instead of competing for it.
I also believe evangelism is just teaching with the lights on. It's not marketing and it's not sales; it's showing up honestly, sharing what's real (including what doesn't work yet), and earning the right to be believed.
Away from the stage
I'm based in Seattle and spend a fair amount of the year on the road for conferences and partner visits. Outside of work, I can be found volunteering for Scouting America, relaxing with my family and flat-coated retrievers, and making unnecessarily complex meals.
Want the short version for an event program or intro? Get in touch and I'll send a bio and headshot.