OpenAI’s Chief Communications Officer Leaving the Company
OpenAI Chief Communications Officer Hannah Wong to Depart in January
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Hannah Wong, OpenAI’s chief communications officer, announced internally on Monday that she will be leaving the company in January, according to WIRED.OpenAI spokesperson Kayla Wood confirmed the departure to the publication.
Leadership Praises Wong’s Impact
In a joint statement, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and applications CEO Fidji simo lauded Wong’s contributions. They stated she possesses “an remarkable ability to bring clarity to complex ideas, and to do it with care and grace,” and expressed deep gratitude for her five years of leadership and partnership, as reported by WIRED.
Wong joined OpenAI in 2021,when it was a smaller research lab,and subsequently led the communications team through the rapid growth of ChatGPT. She was a key figure in managing public relations during the November 2023 turmoil surrounding Sam Altman’s brief removal and reinstatement - an event internally referred to as “the blip,” WIRED notes. Wong assumed the role of chief communications officer in August 2024 and expanded the company’s communications team.
Succession Plan
According to a drafted linkedin post shared with WIRED, Lindsey Held, OpenAI’s VP of communications, will temporarily led the communications team while a permanent replacement for Wong is sought. Kate Rouch, OpenAI’s chief marketing officer, is heading the search for a new chief communications officer.
Wong’s Future Plans
In her LinkedIn post, Wong expressed gratitude for the opportunity to “help tell OpenAI’s story” and introduce its products to the world during a period of “extraordinary moment of growth and momentum.” She indicated a desire to spend more time with her family as she considers her next career move, as WIRED reported.