OpenAI data center executive departs amid broader leadership churn

Chris Malone, who led OpenAI’s data center strategy, has departed the company, the Wall Street Journal reported. Malone’s exit follows a reorganization of OpenAI’s infrastructure organization, which the company said was intended to support the scale and pace of its work.

OpenAI stated it has a “strong, deeply experienced data center team in place, with clear leadership and the technical expertise to execute” its plans. The reorganization shifted Malone’s reporting line from OpenAI president Greg Brockman to vice president Sachin Katti, who now leads the group.

Malone’s departure adds to a reported 13 executive exits at OpenAI in 2026, including high-profile figures such as chief revenue officer Denise Dresser, chief operating officer Brad Lightcap, and product and business chief Fidji Simo. Some cited health reasons, while others left for unspecified new projects.

The leadership churn coincides with OpenAI’s reported delay of its initial public offering from 2026 to 2027, amid scrutiny over the company’s valuation and profitability relative to its infrastructure investments.