In a strategic move to bolster its executive team, OpenAI announced on Monday the appointment of Sarah Friar as its first Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Friar, the former CEO of social media firm Nextdoor, brings a wealth of experience from her diverse roles across the tech and finance sectors.
Friar’s impressive career includes serving as CFO at Square, now known as Block, Inc., and holding significant positions at Walmart’s board, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, and Salesforce. Her deep financial expertise and strategic insight are expected to play a crucial role in guiding OpenAI through its next phase of growth.
Joining Friar is Kevin Weil, who steps into the role of Chief Product Officer. Weil’s extensive background includes pivotal roles at tech giants such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. His experience in product development and innovation will be instrumental as OpenAI continues to expand its product offerings and capabilities.
“Sarah and Kevin bring a depth of experience that will enable OpenAI to scale our operations, set a strategy for the next phase of growth, and ensure that our teams have the resources they need to continue to thrive,” said OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in a statement.
Why Now?
These appointments come at a critical time for OpenAI, following the departure of co-founder and Chief Scientist Ilya Sutskever in May. Sutskever, who played a significant role in the development of OpenAI’s groundbreaking technologies such as GPT-4 and OpenAI Five, was succeeded by Jakub Pachocki. Pachocki, previously OpenAI’s Director of Research, has been instrumental in driving the company’s research agenda forward.
Sutskever’s exit followed a tumultuous period in OpenAI’s history. He was a central figure in the controversial firing and subsequent rehiring of Sam Altman last November. Initially part of the board that ousted Altman, Sutskever quickly reversed his stance, joining employees in demanding Altman’s return and expressing regret for his involvement in the board’s actions. Following Altman’s reinstatement, Sutskever’s role within the company became ambiguous, leading to his eventual departure.
What next for OpenAI?
Earlier this year, OpenAI saw another notable exit, with Andrej Karpathy, a founding member and prominent AI researcher, leaving the organization in February. These departures signalled a period of transition for OpenAI, which responded by strengthening its leadership team.
In March, OpenAI announced the addition of several new directors, including Sam Altman himself, Sue Desmond-Hellmann, former CEO of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Nicole Seligman, former President of Sony Entertainment, and Fidji Simo, CEO of Instacart. This new leadership is poised to guide OpenAI through its ambitious goals and expanding influence in the AI landscape.
With Sarah Friar and Kevin Weil now on board, OpenAI can navigate upcoming challenges and opportunities, ensuring its innovative projects and groundbreaking research continue to thrive and make a significant impact.
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