Fidji Simo Steps Down from OpenAI No. 2 Role
Fidji Simo is leaving her full-time role at OpenAI and will transition to a part-time advisor after an extended medical leave, a change she announced on LinkedIn on July 9, 2026. Simo joined OpenAI’s board in 2024 and joined the company in May 2025 to lead its applications business, taking the title CEO, AGI Deployment earlier in 2026. She consolidated product and business operations, drove early advertising efforts, and had several senior executives reporting to her; OpenAI president Greg Brockman covered her product responsibilities during her leave. Simo cited a prolonged recovery from a severe exacerbation of a chronic illness (diagnosed as POTS in 2019) after going on medical leave in April 2026. Her departure heightens a leadership gap as OpenAI navigates recent senior exits, efforts to monetize beyond ChatGPT and a confidential IPO filing.
- •Simo will leave her full-time OpenAI role and transition to a part-time advisor, announced July 9, 2026.
- •She joined OpenAI’s board in 2024, joined the company in May 2025 to lead applications, and was named CEO, AGI Deployment in early 2026.
- •Simo took medical leave in April 2026 for a severe exacerbation of a chronic illness (diagnosed as POTS in 2019) and cited prolonged recovery.
