Key Points
- Hannah Wong will leave OpenAI in January.
- Wong joined OpenAI in 2021 and became chief communications officer in August 2024.
- She played a key role in shaping public messaging during major company events.
- VP of communications Lindsey Held will oversee the team during the transition.
- Chief marketing officer Kate Rouch will lead the search for a new chief communications officer.
- Company leaders praised Wong’s ability to convey complex ideas clearly.
- Wong plans to focus on family time and her next career chapter.
SYMBOL 07 June 2025 BadenWürttemberg Rottweil The App Chat GPT application can be seen on the display of a smartphone….
Departure Announcement
OpenAI’s chief communications officer, Hannah Wong, announced internally that she will depart the company in January. The memo, shared with staff, indicated that the organization will initiate an executive search to identify her successor.
Wong’s Tenure and Impact
Wong joined OpenAI in 2021 when the organization was a relatively small research lab. Over the years, she helped expand the communications team as ChatGPT grew into a major consumer product. Her leadership was especially noted during the public relations challenge surrounding Sam Altman’s brief ouster and rehiring, a period the company refers to as “the blip.”
She assumed the chief communications officer role in August 2024 and has continued to broaden the team’s capabilities. In a drafted LinkedIn post, Wong said that VP of communications Lindsey Held will lead the communications function until a new chief communications officer is appointed.
Company Response
OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman and other executives praised Wong’s work, highlighting her ability to clarify complex ideas with care and grace. The company’s chief marketing officer, Kate Rouch, is tasked with overseeing the search for a replacement.
Wong’s Next Steps
In her statement, Wong expressed gratitude for the opportunity to help tell OpenAI’s story, introduce ChatGPT and other products, and share the work of teams pursuing artificial general intelligence. She noted that she looks forward to spending more time with her husband and children as she explores the next chapter of her career.
Source: wired.com