Etsy Inc. Appoints Rafe Colburn as Chief Technology Officer

Rafe Colburn joins Etsy with a robust background in technology leadership. He currently serves as the Chief Technology & Product Officer at Depop, where he has played a pivotal role in scaling the technology team and transforming the customer experience into a more app-centric and discovery-focused model. His extensive experience at Depop sets a strong foundation for his upcoming role at Etsy, where he previously spent nearly a decade cultivating teams across various critical areas, including advertising, marketing technology, seller experience, and customer support.

Colburn's prior tenure at Etsy equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of the company's operations and strategic goals. He led engineering teams through periods of significant growth, focusing on critical initiatives that enhanced user experience and operational efficiency.

In a statement reflecting on his appointment, Etsy's CEO Josh Silverman expressed enthusiasm about Colburn's capabilities. "The magic of Etsy lies in our ability to leverage technology to forge meaningful human connections," Silverman noted. He emphasized Colburn's proven ability to set a technical strategy that aligns with Etsy’s mission to connect buyers with a diverse community of sellers. Colburn is expected to bring a visionary approach to creating shopping experiences that are personalized, relevant, and distinctive.

Colburn himself conveyed excitement about the opportunity, highlighting the dynamic nature of the technology landscape and the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. He sees this as a unique chance to engage with buyers more meaningfully and to create further economic opportunities for Etsy's sellers.

In conjunction with Colburn's appointment, Peter Semple has been designated as the interim CEO of Depop, also effective May 5, 2025. Currently the Chief Marketing Officer at Depop, Semple has been with the brand since 2019 and will lead the company on an interim basis as it searches for a permanent leader. This transition follows the announcement that Depop's outgoing CEO, Kruti Patel Goyal, will assume the role of President and Chief Growth Officer at Etsy.

Etsy, founded in 2005 and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, emphasizes its mission to "Keep Commerce Human." With its two-sided marketplace model, Etsy connects millions of buyers and sellers who are passionate about unique and creative goods. The company's commitment to leveraging technology to strengthen communities and empower individuals remains a cornerstone of its operations.

As Etsy prepares for the future under new leadership, the company’s focus on innovation and enhancing the buyer-seller experience will be paramount. By harnessing the expertise of leaders like Rafe Colburn, Etsy aims to reignite growth and solidify its position as a premier destination for special and unique products.

The appointment of Rafe Colburn as CTO marks a pivotal moment for Etsy Inc. as it seeks to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the evolving digital marketplace. With a leader of Colburn's caliber at the helm of technology strategy, Etsy is poised to enhance its platform, foster deeper connections between buyers and sellers, and ultimately drive growth in the coming years.