Bluesky Announces Leadership Transition as Jay Graber Steps Down from CEO Role
The decentralized social media platform Bluesky is undergoing a significant leadership change as founder and CEO Jay Graber transitions out of her chief executive role. Venture capitalist Toni Schneider, who previously served as CEO of Automattic, will assume the position of interim CEO while the company searches for a permanent replacement.
Graber, who has led Bluesky since its inception in 2021 when the platform separated from Twitter as an independent entity, will remain with the company in a new capacity as Chief Innovation Officer. In this role, she will focus on developing new features and capabilities for the rapidly growing social network, which has expanded from 30 million users approximately one year ago to its current user base of 40 million.
The leadership transition comes as Bluesky continues to establish itself as a prominent alternative to traditional social media platforms, built on the AT Protocol that emphasizes decentralization and user control. Graber expressed confidence in Schneider’s appointment, noting his deep commitment to the platform’s mission and his involvement as a company advisor for more than a year.
Schneider brings significant experience in open-source and decentralized technologies through his previous leadership at Automattic, the company behind WordPress. Both Automattic and True Ventures have invested in Bluesky and support the development of a more open, user-controlled internet ecosystem.
In addressing the transition, Schneider acknowledged his initial skepticism about decentralized social media but described how meeting Graber and Chief Operating Officer Rose Wang two years ago converted him into a believer in the technology’s potential. He emphasized the company’s unwavering commitment to maintaining user ownership of identity, data, and social connections.
The new interim CEO stressed that Bluesky’s fundamental principles remain unchanged, with the company doubling down on its commitment to creating an open, user-controlled social web. He highlighted the importance of building trust with third-party developers and continuing progress toward a fully decentralized system that empowers users and developers alike.
This leadership change represents a pivotal moment for Bluesky as it continues to grow its user base and compete in the evolving social media landscape, while maintaining its core mission of decentralization and user empowerment.