OpenAI Appoints Slack CEO Denise Dresser as Chief Revenue Officer

Executive Shift at OpenAI

OpenAI disclosed that it has hired Denise Dresser, who most recently served as chief executive officer of Slack, to become its chief revenue officer. The appointment was announced on a Tuesday, though the exact date was not specified. Dresser will be responsible for overseeing the company’s global revenue strategy and for driving initiatives that enable more businesses to integrate artificial‑intelligence tools into daily operations.

Denise Dresser’s Background

Before leading Slack, Dresser spent twelve years at Salesforce, the parent company of Slack, where she held a series of senior roles. She became Slack’s CEO in 2023, guiding the platform through a period of rapid AI‑focused product development. Under her leadership, Slack introduced a suite of AI features, including a tool that automatically recaps channels and threads, a function that translates company‑specific jargon, and the launch of Slackbot as an AI assistant.

Organizational Changes at Slack

With Dresser’s transition to OpenAI, Rob Seaman, Salesforce’s chief product officer, will step in as interim chief executive officer of Slack. This change ensures continuity of leadership while Slack continues to integrate AI capabilities across its collaboration suite.

OpenAI’s Growth and Strategic Focus

OpenAI recently announced a restructuring that emphasizes its for‑profit operations. The company reported that more than one million business customers are now using its AI tools, while eight hundred million people engage with ChatGPT each week. In October, OpenAI launched a new tool that allows users to search and sift through workspace information using ChatGPT, further cementing its enterprise‑focused offerings.

Leadership Perspective

Fidji Simo, OpenAI’s senior vice president of applications, said the firm is on a path to place AI tools in the hands of millions of workers across every industry. She highlighted Dresser’s prior experience leading AI‑driven shifts at Slack as a key asset for OpenAI’s expansion plans.

Implications for the AI Market

The addition of a seasoned executive with deep experience in both enterprise software and AI integration signals OpenAI’s intent to accelerate its penetration into the business sector. By aligning its revenue leadership with a figure who has successfully navigated AI product rollouts at a major collaboration platform, OpenAI aims to broaden its customer base and deepen the adoption of its AI technologies across a range of industries.