30 years at the intersection of human intelligence and AI
Founded in 1996, Appen has been present at every major inflection point in AI — from early speech recognition to frontier reasoning models. Our history is the history of AI data.
From search relevance to frontier AI — we've been here from the beginning
Appen was founded in Sydney in 1996, initially focused on speech and language data for early NLP systems. Over three decades we expanded our capabilities in lockstep with the AI industry — from search evaluation and machine translation to deep learning, RLHF, and now multimodal frontier model training.
We have supported the development of AI systems at every major inflection point: the emergence of web search, the deep learning revolution, the rise of large language models, and the current era of reasoning and agentic AI. Each wave brought new data challenges — and Appen was there to solve them.
Today, 80% of the world's leading LLM builders are Appen customers. We are ASX-listed (APX) and operate globally across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Philippines.
The actions that define how we work
Own the Outcome
We are swift, decisive, and accountable. When something needs to get done, we take responsibility end-to-end — no hand-offs, no excuses, no shortcuts.
Take the Big Step
We boldly challenge limits and drive lasting change. Incremental improvement is not enough — we push for breakthroughs that redefine what's possible for our customers and for AI.
Think Like Our Customers
We envision the future through our customers' eyes. Understanding their models, their research goals, and their competitive pressures is the foundation of every data decision we make.
Empower the Collective
We collaborate over competing. The best outcomes come from combining diverse expertise — across our teams, our contributors, and our customers — to unlock shared potential.
Get Deep in the Problem
We prioritise thorough investigation over surface-level solutions. Real quality comes from understanding the problem at its root — and designing data that solves for the actual challenge.
Be the Expert
We are committed to mastery and continuous learning. In a field moving as fast as AI, expertise is never static — we invest in knowledge-sharing and staying ahead so our customers don't have to.
Our leadership team
Ryan Kolln
Chief Executive Officer
Ryan Kolln
Chief Executive Officer
Ryan Kolln is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Appen. Ryan brings over 20 years of global experience in technology and telecommunications, along with a deep understanding of Appen’s business and the AI industry.
His professional career began as an engineer, with a focus on mobile network data engineering in Australia, Asia and North America. On completion of an MBA from New York University, Ryan joined The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in 2011 as a strategy consultant. During his time at BCG he specialised in technology and telecommunications and gained deep strategy expertise across a variety of growth and operational topics.
Joining Appen AI in 2018 as VP of Corporate Development, he led strategic acquisitions like Figure Eight and Quadrant, and supported the establishment of the China and Federal divisions. Prior to his appointment as CEO, he served as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing global operations and strategy.
Helen Attia
Chief People Officer
Helen Attia
Chief People Officer
Helen is the Chief People Officer at Appen and is focused on creating a people strategy that supports Appen’s strategic objectives and creating an environment where our people can be their best. Helen brings over 20 years of Human Resources experience from global organisations primarily in the technology and software sector. With a passion for Talent Management and Organisational Development, Helen enjoys supporting organisations through periods of growth and change. Helen holds a Master of Commerce from the University of NSW and an Applied Science degree from the University of Sydney.
Justin Miles
Chief Financial Officer
Justin Miles
Chief Financial Officer
Justin is responsible for the finance and corporate functions of the company. He brings over 20 years of experience, including extensive exposure to listed companies within the technology and services sectors. He has a passion for supporting fast paced organisations through periods of growth and change.
Joining Appen in 2016 he has a deep understanding of Appen’s business. With over 5 years as Vice President Finance, he established the finance structure, systems, and processes that scaled, supported exceptional growth, and successfully executed several finance integrations.
Justin was promoted to Interim Chief Financial Officer in August 2023 and was officially appointed Chief Financial Officer in February 2024. Prior to joining Appen, Justin was Group Financial Controller at Rubicor Group Ltd (ASX: RUB) one of the largest networks of specialist recruitment businesses in Australia. Justin holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and is a member of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
Roc Tian
SVP and General Manager,
Appen China + JK
Roc Tian
SVP and General Manager, Appen China + JK
As the Senior Vice President and General Manager for China, Japan, and Korea, Roc Tian is responsible for overseeing Appen's business strategy, sales, marketing, delivery, operations, and government relationships in these regions. He brings over 20 years of experience in sales, consulting, and management at Fortune 100 companies to his role at Appen. Roc’s invaluable expertise includes his previous role as Senior Partner at IBM GBS, where he led client services, public sector, and enterprise application service lines in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Roc also played a pivotal role in growing IBM's global delivery center in China from 4,000 to over 10,000 employees. Prior to IBM, Roc served as a Business Quality Director at HP's global delivery center in China and was the founder and CTO of a successful tech startup.
Roc holds a Master of Computer Applications and a PhD of Computer Software from Shanghai Jiaotong University.
Sergio Bruccoleri
Vice President, Delivery
Sergio Bruccoleri
Vice President, Delivery
Sergio Bruccoleri is the VP of Delivery at Appen, bringing deep expertise in AI data operations, large-scale delivery, and technical execution across global programs. With more than a decade leading teams in the AI and digital transformation space, he has built and managed complex delivery ecosystems that support enterprise-grade AI development.
Prior to Appen, he held senior leadership roles at Centific and Pactera, where he oversaw solution delivery, technical architecture, and global operations for high-impact AI data, localization, and platform modernization initiatives.
Brian Jenkins
Vice President, Sales
Brian Jenkins
Vice President, Sales
With over 15 years of strategic selling experience, Brian Jenkins serves as Vice President of Sales across NA, LATAM and EMEA. Prior to stepping into his current leadership role, Brian held key sales and growth positions at Scale AI and Snorkel, where he developed deep domain expertise in the data labeling and AI enablement space. Earlier, Brian spent ~8 years at Salesforce, contributing to the company’s expansion across a multitude of verticals.
Brian holds a Bachelors in Marketing from Clemson University along with a dual MBA from Coastal Carolina University and a FH-Mainz, University of Applied Sciences in Germany.
Robert Page
Vice President, Delivery for Strategic Accounts
Francisco Rivera
Vice President, Crowd Operations
Francisco Rivera
VP of Crowd Operations, Appen
Francisco is the VP of Crowd Operations at Appen, bringing more than 20 years of experience leading operations, strategy, and growth teams across a diverse set of industries and markets. Prior to joining Appen, he spent more than 10 years driving operational excellence in leading digital marketplaces, such as Uber and Angi. Francisco holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Lima (Peru), as well as an MBA from Yale University.
Jaime Frasca
General Counsel
and Company Secretary
Jaime Frasca
General Counsel and Company Secretary
Jaime is the General Counsel at Appen and oversees the company’s legal, governance and risk functions. She brings over 20 years of experience advising global organisations across technology, consumer and media sectors, with deep expertise in regulatory and compliance matters.
Prior to joining Appen, Jaime served as Senior Legal Director and Company Secretary (ANZ) at Dell Technologies. She began her career in private practice at leading Australian law firms before moving in-house to senior legal roles at Penguin Books UK and KFC South Pacific. She is admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Board of directors
Vanessa Liu
Vanessa has a deep expertise of emerging technology trends and enterprise uptake of artificial intelligence, especially in the US market. She is the Founder and CEO of SaaS technology company Sugarwork and is a non-executive director of Goodman Group (ASX: GMG). Most recently she was the Vice President of SAP.iO, the early-stage venture arm of SAP. Prior, Vanessa was the Chief Operating Officer at Trigger Media Group, a digital media incubator. Before that, Vanessa was Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company’s Media and Entertainment Practice where she served clients in media and high-tech sectors on issues of digital media strategy, emerging market strategy, growth and innovation. Vanessa graduated magna cum laude with an AB in psychology from Harvard University and cum laude with a JD from Harvard Law School. She serves as President of the Harvard Alumni Association.
Vanessa is a member of:
• People and Culture Committee
• Audit and Risk Management Committee
Ryan Kolln
Ryan Kolln is the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Appen. Ryan brings over 20 years of global experience in technology and telecommunications, along with a deep understanding of Appen’s business and the AI industry. His professional career began as an engineer, with a focus on mobile network data engineering in Australia, Asia and North America. On completion of an MBA from New York University, Ryan joined The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in 2011 as a strategy consultant. During his time at BCG he specialised in technology and telecommunications and gained deep strategy expertise across a variety of growth and operational topics.
Steve Hasker
Steve has extensive experience as a CEO, COO and Advisor in the US. Since March 2022, he has held the position of President and CEO of Thomson Reuters. He was a Senior Advisor to private equity firm TPG Capital (2019–2020) and CEO of CAA Global, a TPG Capital portfolio company (2018–2019). At Nielsen Holdings PLC, Steve served as Global President and COO (2015–2017) and President, Global Products (2009–2014). Steve was a partner with McKinsey (1998–2009). Before that, Steve spent five years in several financial roles in the U.S. and other countries. He holds an MBA and a master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University.
Steve is Chair of the People and Culture Committee.
Robin Low
Robin has extensive finance, risk and business experience from her 28-year career at PricewaterhouseCoopers where she was a partner specialising in assurance and risk, mainly in financial services. She was previously deputy chair of the Auditing and Assurance Standards Board. Robin is an experienced non-executive director, holding other current ASX directorships with IPH Limited (ASX: IPH) and Articore Limited (ASX:ATG). Her previous ASX board roles included CSG Limited (ASX: CSV), AUB Group (ASX: AUB) Limited and Marley Spoon SE (ASX: MMM). Robin is also a director of the Guide Dogs NSW/ACT and the Sax Institute, a member of Anacacia’s Business Advisory Council and she is a member of the Audit Committee for the University of NSW. Robin has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of New South Wales and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Robin is Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee.
Stuart Davis
Stuart is a director of NEXTDC Limited (ASX: NXT) and Chair of the Remuneration Committee, a non-executive director of Bank of South Pacific Limited and PayPal Australia Ltd where he serves as Chair of the Risk Committee at both companies. He has more than 30 years’ experience as an international banker with the HSBC Group where he was CEO, HSBC India (2009–2012), CEO and Executive Director for HSBC Bank Australia Limited (2002–2009) and CEO HSBC Taiwan (1999–2002). He was a member of the Australian Bankers Association from 2002–2009 and Deputy Chair from 2006–2009. Stuart holds a LLB from Adelaide University and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Stuart is a member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee.
Lynn Mickleburgh
Lynn has experience as an ASX non-executive director, a board advisor and transformational leader of both Fortune 500 companies and high growth SaaS companies. Lynn is a former non-executive Director of ASX listed Altium Limited (ASX:ALU), where she chaired the HR Committee and served on the Audit and Risk Committee. Previously, she was Head of Business Optimisation at Atlassian Inc, VP Finance at Citrix Systems and held various global and operational roles at Adobe Systems and Apple Computer. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and an MBA in Business Management.
Lynn is a member of the People and Culture Committee.
Offices
US Headquarters
4040 Lake Washington Blvd NE, Suite 320
Kirkland, WA 98033
Australia Headquarters
Level 6, 9 Help Street Chatswood NSW 2067
Exeter
Rockeagle House Pynes Hill Exeter, EX2 5AZ, Devon
Sydney
9 Help Street, Suite 6, NSW 2067
Shanghai
Unit 01, 7th Floor, No. 6, Lane 2889, Jinke Road, China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone
Beijing
Room 08B-18, Block D, 8th Floor, No. 28 Xinxi Road, Haidian District, Beijing
Wuxi
Room E406, 408, 410, 412, 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, Liye Building, University Science Park, No. 20, Qingyuan Road, Xinwu District, Wuxi
Dalian
No. 1, 9th Floor, Unit 1, No. 555, Huangpu Road, Qixianling, Dalian High-tech Industrial Park, Liaoning Province
Chongqing
Building B09, No. 107, Data Valley Middle Road, Xiantao Street, Yubei District, Chongqing
Huainan
4th Floor, Building 2, South Technology Incubator, Taifeng Street, West Huaihe Avenue, Shannan New District, Huainan City, Anhui Province
Tokyo
9F 1-5-1 Shin Marunouchi Building, Marunouchi Chiyoda-ku Tokyo Japan, 100-6509
Cavite
BPO building 1 Suntech iPark Lancaster New City, Barangay Alapan II Imus Cavite, Philippines
Hyderabad
Office 2, Eighth Floor, Tower 1, Sattva Knowledge Park, Raidurg, Hyderabad, Telangana, India - 500081
Hanoi
5F, Viet A Tower, No 9 Duy Tan street, Dich Vong Hau ward, Cau Giay district, Hanoi City, Viet Nam

Human data for frontier AI
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