OpenAI loses data center chief, exec departures top 13

The departure of Chris Malone, who oversaw the execution of OpenAI's data center strategy, is notable given the industry-wide focus on AI infrastructure. Malone joined OpenAI in March of last year, not long after the launch of the Stargate Project, a $500 million data center initiative championed by the Trump administration, in which OpenAI is a key partner with Oracle, Nvidia, SoftBank, and Microsoft. As part of a recent reorganization, Malone stopped reporting directly to President Greg Brockman and began reporting to Vice President Sachin Katti, who took over leadership of the group.

Malone's exit is part of a broader trend of high-profile departures at OpenAI this year. Business Insider tallied the 2026 departure count at 13, including chief revenue officer Denise Dresser, who was replaced after only about eight months, and Brad Lightcap, a long-serving executive who left two days prior to Dresser's announced departure. Fidji Simo, the de facto second-in-command, stepped down about a month earlier to recover from a chronic illness and remains in an advisory role.

The ongoing talent flight has raised questions, especially as OpenAI preps for an IPO, now reportedly pushed to 2027. Concerns have arisen that the company may be overvalued and that its profitability doesn't match the gargantuan investments being made. While co-founder Greg Brockman noted that every departure gets scrutinized due to the spotlight on the company, the flood of outgoing executives has not quieted those doubts.