OpenAI Hires Former Uber Executive Jill Hazelbaker as Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
OpenAI has appointed Jill Hazelbaker as its Chief Corporate Affairs Officer. She will lead the company's global communications and corporate positioning, according to OpenAI.
- OpenAI has appointed Jill Hazelbaker as Chief Corporate Affairs Officer.
- She will lead OpenAI's global communications and corporate positioning.
- Hazelbaker was most recently President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Uber, where she spent a decade.
- Her earlier roles include leading communications and public policy at Snap and senior positions at Google.
- She began her career in U.S. politics, including as National Communications Director for John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign.
A new role focused on public understanding and trust
Jill Hazelbaker will join OpenAI to lead its global communications and corporate positioning. According to the company, she will work closely with leaders across OpenAI to deepen public understanding of AI and strengthen trust in its mission.
OpenAI says the appointment reflects its commitment to investing in the leadership and capabilities needed to engage more deeply with the people and institutions shaping AI's future. The announcement does not describe specific programs or changes to the company's communications structure.
From Uber to OpenAI
Hazelbaker comes to OpenAI from Uber, where she served as President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer. In that role she oversaw the company's global communications, marketing, public policy, safety, and people teams.
She spent a decade at Uber. According to OpenAI, she played a central role in shaping the company's reputation, navigating complex regulatory and reputational challenges, and building the capabilities needed to support its growth around the world. OpenAI also says she helped lead Uber's transformation from an ambitious startup into one of the world's largest global technology platforms.
OpenAI describes her as bringing nearly two decades of experience advising technology companies and political leaders, helping them navigate periods of extraordinary growth and some of their most consequential challenges.
Earlier career in tech and politics
Before Uber, Hazelbaker led communications and public policy at Snap. Earlier, she held senior leadership roles at Google, where she oversaw corporate communications globally, communications across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and government relations in Europe.
Her career began in U.S. politics, where she served in leadership roles on local, state, and national campaigns. She was National Communications Director and Chief Spokesperson for Senator John McCain's 2008 presidential campaign, and Press Secretary to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
What it means
The hire puts an executive with experience in communications, public policy and regulatory challenges at the head of OpenAI's corporate affairs function. Based on the company's own description, the focus of the role is public engagement: building understanding of AI and trust in OpenAI's mission, and connecting with the people and institutions that shape the technology's future. The source does not give a start date.
