OpenAI Exodus: COO, Safety Leads Among at Least 8 Executives Departing This Summer
Ok_Display_3159 · reddit · 2026-08-30
A Reddit user compiled OpenAI's recent executive departures: COO Brad Lightcap and CRO Denise Dresser (less than a year in role) leaving in August; Head of Data Centers Chris Malone out in August; Head of Robotics/Hardware Caitlin Kalinowski out in March; Head of Ethics Chloé Bakalar, Head of Safety Systems Johannes Heidecke, Chief Futurist Joshua Achiam, and AI Safety team lead Sandhini Agarwal all left in July.
The author also saw unconfirmed X reports that Preparedness lead Dylan Scandinario has left. Some articles mention as many as 13 departing executives.
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