To cope with a tough economic environment and a competitive labour market, many organisations are shedding staff from one part of the business while hiring for another. This includes the upper echelons and no industrial sector is immune – including, as expected, the ever-volatile world of the technology sector.
The technology sector scene has seen some interesting shifts this week, as key executives bow out, such as Uber’s SVP of Delivery, who is stepping down after 13 years. The ride-hailing giant has also appointed Andrew Macdonald as COO as it seeks to navigate leadership changes and legal battles. Will these moves lead to changes in company direction?
A review by The Org, sent to Digital Journal, charts a turbid week of executive exits and corporate structuring. Reviewing the key findings, we summarise the primary shifts in the world of cut-throat corporate technology, selecting five firms undergoing major changes at the top of their ivory towers.
Uber
According to CNBC, Uber’s longtime executive Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty is stepping out after nearly 13 years, most recently he has been leading Uber’s Delivery business—including Uber Eats (95 million users strong and currently the top delivery app).
Andrew Macdonald, who joined just months earlier, takes the wheel as COO, overseeing Mobility, Delivery, Autonomous, and other areas. This shuffle comes as Uber preps to test driverless robotaxis in London next spring with AI partner Wayve.
Airbnb
Adweek reports that Airbnb has appointed Rebecca Van Dyck as its new CMO, as Hiroki Asai transitions to the newly created role of Chief Experience Officer. Van Dyck is said to be a seasoned marketing leader with past CMO roles at Meta and Levi’s. She will oversee marketing, research, and creative.
Asai, Airbnb’s top marketer since 2020, will now focus on the broader product roadmap as the company expands beyond home rentals into services and experiences.
Microsoft
Geekwire provides news relating to Microsoft. Here, LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky is doubling up as he is now also in charge of Microsoft’s Office apps, taking the reins on Word, Excel, Outlook, and Copilot while continuing to steer the LinkedIn ship.
This is arguably a strategic “power move” to connect the dots between Microsoft’s biggest platforms and accelerate the company’s AI ambitions.
Tesla
The Verge unearths information that Tesla’s Optimus robotics lead Milan Kovac is out, citing the standard ‘family time’ response to cover up an evident sacking. His exit follows political backlash, including a French lawsuit over Elon Musk’s far-right leanings and a very public Musk–Trump fall out.
Tesla is targeting a June 22 launch for its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, U.S.
Unity
TechCrunch reports how Unity’s CTO Steve Collins is logging off after just six months, citing “personal reasons”. Previously the CTO at Candy Crush maker King, Collins joins a number of Unity execs exiting amid a rough patch of pricing backlash from developers, layoffs, and a CEO shakeup.
