OpenAI reshuffles as top execs step back for health reasons
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OpenAI's head of AGI deployment, Fidji Simo, is taking "several weeks" of medical leave, according to an internal memo that Axios has reviewed and that was originally reported by The Information.
The big picture: Simo's leave sets off a broader leadership reshuffling across OpenAI, with responsibilities spreading across top executives.
What they're saying: Simo said she is stepping back to address a relapse of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a chronic condition she has been public about.
- "For my entire time here, I've postponed medical tests and new therapies to stay completely focused on the job and not miss a single day of work."
- "It's now clear that I've pushed a little too far and I really need to try new interventions to stabilize my health," Simo said in a note to employees viewed by Axios.
Simo was most recently CEO of Instacart and head of the Facebook app from 2019 to 2021.
Follow the money: Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap is moving into a new role focused on special projects, including a potential joint venture with private equity firms, the memo says.
- That venture has a reported pre-money valuation of $10 billion, to distribute OpenAI's technology.
- He will report directly to CEO Sam Altman.
- "He's been our go-to for complex deals and investments across the company, and this shift allows him to focus all his energy there," Simo wrote.
- Frontier AI labs often cut deals with PE firms to get portfolio companies dependent on their models, betting they'll get hooked, then scale to become big customers.
Our thought bubble: Simo's leave comes at a pivotal moment for OpenAI's public messaging and dealmaking, where she has been a prominent voice in announcements internally and externally, Axios media reporter Kerry Flynn says.
- Last month, she told staff the company will be more focused on the core business and not be "distracted by side quests." She announced the TBPN talk show acquisition on Thursday.
Zoom in: The memo outlined other talent reshuffling. In Simo's absence, Greg Brockman will take over the product organization.
- Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon, Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar and Chief Revenue Officer Denise Dresser will split oversight of business and operations. Dresser, the former Slack CEO, will take on most of Lightcap's responsibilities while remaining chief revenue officer. OpenAI's government and "OpenAI for Countries" efforts will shift under Kwon's strategy organization.
- Chief Marketing Officer Kate Rouch wrote on LinkedIn that she is "stepping down" from the role to focus on her cancer recovery.
- Former Meta CMO Gary Briggs is stepping in on an interim basis, in a similar manner to how they covered the role the last time Rouch had to go on leave.
- Briggs will recruit the next "permanent CMO," Rouch notes, saying she hopes to return in a different role in the future if her health allows.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to add details and clarify that Simo has been open about her POTS diagnosis since before joining OpenAI.
