OpenAI CCO Hannah Wong announces her departure after five years, marking a leadership transition as Lindsey Held Bolton steps in interim.
OpenAI’s Chief Communications Officer, Hannah Wong, has announced her decision to leave the company after nearly five years, marking the end of a pivotal chapter in the organization’s rapid growth and global visibility. Wong shared the news in a LinkedIn post, stating that she is stepping back to pursue the next phase of her professional and personal journey.
Wong joined OpenAI in 2021 and played a central role in shaping the company’s communications strategy during one of the most transformative periods in its history. She led messaging around major product launches, including the global debut and expansion of ChatGPT, while also steering communications through high-profile challenges—most notably the leadership disruption in 2023 that briefly saw CEO Sam Altman step away before being reinstated.
In August 2024, Wong assumed the role of Chief Communications Officer, further solidifying her leadership within the organization. Reflecting on her tenure, she described the experience as both intense and deeply formative, highlighting her work in telling OpenAI’s story, introducing groundbreaking AI products, and spotlighting the teams driving progress toward artificial general intelligence (AGI).
As part of the transition, Lindsey Held Bolton will oversee OpenAI’s communications function on an interim basis, while Kate Rouch leads the search for the company’s next Chief Communications Officer.
According to reports, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Applications CEO Fidji Simo shared an internal message praising Wong’s contributions, noting her ability to bring clarity and care to complex ideas. They expressed gratitude for her leadership and partnership over the past five years and wished her continued success in her next chapter.
In her farewell message, Wong also shared her plans to spend time with her family before determining her next professional move, expressing appreciation for her colleagues, leadership team, and communications staff. She concluded by reaffirming her support for OpenAI’s mission and future direction.
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