OpenAI reshuffles leadership as CEO Sam Altman takes medical leave
Key Points
- Brad Cox moves from COO to a special‑projects role reporting to CEO Sam Altman.
- Denise Wasserman, former Slack CEO, assumes Cox’s commercial responsibilities, except for government and OpenAI‑for‑Countries work.
- CMO Kate Miller steps down to focus on cancer treatment; Gary Lee will lead marketing temporarily.
- Altman announces a multi‑week medical leave due to a neuroimmune condition relapse.
- Greg Brock will handle product, while Jason Miller, Sarah Guo and Denise Wasserman oversee operations during Altman's absence.
OpenAI announced a series of senior‑level changes on Thursday as chief operating officer Brad Cox moves to a special‑projects role, former Slack CEO Denise Wasserman assumes his responsibilities, and chief marketing officer Kate Miller steps down to focus on cancer treatment. The updates come alongside CEO Sam Altman's disclosure that he will be on medical leave for several weeks due to a relapse of a neuroimmune condition.
OpenAI disclosed a sweeping reorganization of its senior team on Thursday, coinciding with CEO Sam Altman's announcement that he will be on medical leave for the next several weeks. The changes affect the company’s AGI Deployment organization, its marketing unit and the broader executive leadership structure.
Brad Cox shifts to special‑projects role
Brad Cox, who has served as OpenAI’s chief operating officer, will transition to a new position focused on special projects, including the DeployCo effort. In his new capacity, Cox will report directly to Sam Altman. The move frees Cox to concentrate on complex deals and investments that span the company, a function he has been described as the "go‑to" for since joining the firm.
Denise Wasserman will inherit the bulk of Cox’s former portfolio, taking charge of commercial teams across the organization. Wasserman, a former CEO of Slack and longtime executive at Salesforce, brings decades of enterprise experience to the role. She will report to Altman and will oversee all of OpenAI’s commercial activities, except for the government and OpenAI‑for‑Countries initiatives, which are being moved into the Strategy organization.
Marketing leadership changes
Chief marketing officer Kate Miller announced she is stepping down to focus on her cancer recovery. Miller said she hopes to return to a more narrowly scoped role once her health permits. In the interim, Gary Lee will lead the marketing function, reporting to Jason Miller. Gary and Jason will jointly conduct the search for Miller’s permanent replacement, with Miller providing input while on leave.
The announcement praised Miller for building a high‑performing marketing team and elevating OpenAI’s brand on stages such as the Super Bowl. The company said it will miss her leadership but fully supports her decision to prioritize health.
Altman’s medical leave and interim responsibilities
In a personal update, Sam Altman revealed he must take medical leave for several weeks after a relapse of a neuroimmune condition that began before he started at OpenAI. Altman said he had postponed medical testing and therapy to stay fully engaged with the company, but now acknowledges the need for new interventions to stabilize his health.
During Altman’s absence, Greg Brock will oversee product development, while Jason Miller, Sarah Guo and Denise Wasserman will manage day‑to‑day business operations. Altman expressed confidence in the leadership team’s ability to execute the company’s roadmap and thanked colleagues for giving him space to recover.
OpenAI’s board and senior staff have not indicated any immediate impact on the company’s product timeline or strategic initiatives. The firm emphasized that the leadership transitions are designed to maintain momentum on its ambitious AGI deployment goals while ensuring continuity across all major functions.