Uber’s Top Ranks Thin Out as CEO Travis Kalanick Steps Away
Since February, Uber Technologies Inc. has faced a steady stream of scandals and controversy: allegations of harassment and discrimination, a corporate theft lawsuit, allegedly deceiving authorities, a video of the ride-hailing giant’s co-founder arguing with a driver and a director making a sexist comment at a staff meeting to address issues of sexism.
During that same time, almost a dozen senior executives marched out—or were frog-marched to the door. A few left amicably, but others, such as former self-driving unit head Anthony Levandowski and former head of business Emil Michael, were ousted in relation to legal or cultural problems at the company. In response, Uber made some key outside hires to reform the company’s strategy and brand. But the departures continued: in August, Ryan Graves, Uber's first employee and a longtime board member, also stepped down from his management role.
Slew of Recent Departures Culminates with Kalanick Resignation
New Hire
Departures
Leave of Absence
Hires
Departures
2017
Ryan Graves
SVP of Global Operations
Graves, the first employee at Uber, announced his resignation from management positions but will stay on the board. (August 10)
August
Travis Kalanick
Chief Executive Officer
Following pressure from investors, Kalanick announced his full resignation—though he will stay on as a board member (June 20). A current lawsuit threatens to have him removed from the board (August 10).
David Bonderman
Board Member
Resigned after audio was leaked of a sexist remark he made at a company-wide meeting (June 13)
July
Wan Ling Martello
Board Member
Joined from Nestle (June 12)
Travis Kalanick
Chief Executive Officer
On a temporary leave of absence of undetermined length to improve himself as a leader as he mourns his mother's recent death (June 13)
Bozoma Saint John
Chief Brand Officer
Joined from Apple (June 6)
Emil Michael
Head of Business
Was ousted after the report from Eric Holder recommended that he leave the company (June 12)
Frances Frei
SVP of Leadership and Strategy
Joined from Harvard Business School (June 5)
June
Eric Alexander
President of Business in APAC
Left after allegations that he obtained the medical records of a woman who was raped by an Uber driver in India in 2014 (June 7)
Gautam Gupta
Head of Finance
Left to join Opendoor as COO (May 31)
May
Anthony Levandowski
Head of Self-Driving Unit
Fired by Uber after he did not cooperate with inquiry related to a lawsuit from Waymo, Google's self-driving car unit (May 30)
Rachel Whetstone
SVP of Policy and Communications
Left after growing tensions with Uber management (April 11)
April
Brian McClendon
VP of Mapping
Left amicably to move back to home state of Kansas to explore politics (March 30)
Jeff Jones
President
Left while citing differences over “beliefs and approach to leadership” (March 19)
March
Ed Baker
VP of Product and Growth
Left to “apply my experience in technology and growth to the public sector” (March 3)
Amit Singhal
SVP of Engineering
Uber asked for his resignation after he didn’t disclose that he faced sexual harassment allegations at Google, his previous employer (February 27)
Feb.
New Hire
Departures
Leave of Absence
2017
Ryan Graves
SVP of Global Operations
Graves, the first employee at Uber, announced his resignation from management positions but will stay on the board. (August 10)
Aug.
Travis Kalanick
Chief Executive Officer
Following pressure from investors, Kalanick announced his full resignation—though he will stay on as a board member (June 20). A current lawsuit threatens to have him removed from the board (August 10).
David Bonderman
Board Member
Resigned after audio was leaked of a sexist remark he made at a company-wide meeting (June 13)
July
Travis Kalanick
Chief Executive Officer
On a temporary leave of absence of undetermined length to improve himself as a leader as he mourns his mother's recent death (June 13)
Emil Michael
Head of Business
Was ousted after the report from Eric Holder recommended that he leave the company (June 12)
Wan Ling Martello
Board Member
Joined from Nestle (June 12)
June
Eric Alexander
President of Business in APAC
Left after allegations that he obtained the medical records of a woman who was raped by an Uber driver in India in 2014 (June 7)
Bozoma Saint John
Chief Brand Officer
Joined from Apple (June 6)
Frances Frei
SVP of Leadership and Strategy
Joined from Harvard Business School (June 5)
May
Gautam Gupta
Head of Finance
Left to join Opendoor as COO (May 31)
Anthony Levandowski
Head of Self-Driving Unit
Fired by Uber after he did not cooperate with inquiry related to a lawsuit from Waymo, Google's self-driving car unit (May 30)
Rachel Whetstone
Head of Policy and Communications
Left after growing tensions with Uber management (April 11)
April
Brian McClendon
VP of Mapping
Left amicably to move back to home state of Kansas to explore politics (March 30)
Jeff Jones
President
Left while citing differences over “beliefs and approach to leadership” (March 19)
March
Ed Baker
VP of Product and Growth
Left to “apply my experience in technology and growth to the public sector” (March 3)
Amit Singhal
SVP of Engineering
Uber asked for his resignation after he didn’t disclose that he faced sexual harassment allegations at Google, his previous employer (February 27)
Feb
To fill the gaps, Uber promoted some people from within the company. But other high-profile seats—including chief operating officer, chief financial officer, chief marketing officer and senior vice president of engineering—remain empty. The COO search is one of particular importance to the company and has been going on for at least five months.
Chief Executive Officer Travis Kalanick announced earlier this month that he would take a leave of absence from the business he helped start. After pressure from investors, however, Kalanick resigned completely, leaving Uber without a top executive. The company plans to be run by committee, though the details of decision-making remain unclear.
Leadership Gap at Uber
Occupied
Vacant
New Hire
Internal Promotion
After investor pressure, announced his resignation on June 20
The search is a top priority
—
Chief Operating Officer
Travis Kalanick
Chief Executive Officer
Thuan Pham
Chief Technology Officer
—
Chief Marketing Officer
—
Chief Financial Officer
Joe Sullivan
Chief of Security
Uber’s first employee. Resigned August 10, but will stay on the board
Richter took over after Emil Michael resigned on June 12
Saint John would report to the CMO once someone is hired
Ryan Graves
SVP of Global Operations
Bozoma Saint John
Chief Brand Officer
—
SVP of Engineering
David Richter
SVP of Business
Jill Hazelbaker
SVP of Communications
and Public Policy
Jill Hazelbaker
SVP of Communications
and Public Policy
Jeff Holden
Chief Product Officer
Frances Frei
SVP of Leadership
and Strategy
Salle Yoo
Chief Legal Officer
Yoo was promoted from General Counsel on May 21
Jason Droege
Head of
UberEVERYTHING
Eric Meyhofer
Head of
Autonomous Vehicles
—
General Counsel
Daniel Graf
Head of Product
Occupied
Vacant
After investor pressure, announced his resignation on June 20
New Hire
Internal Promotion
Travis Kalanick
Chief Executive Officer
—
Chief Operating Officer
This search is a top priority
Thuan Pham
Chief Technology Officer
—
Chief Financial Officer
—
Chief Marketing Officer
Saint John would report to the CMO once someone is hired
Bozoma Saint John
Chief Brand Officer
Uber’s first employee. Resigned August 10, but will stay on the board
—
SVP of Engineering
Ryan Graves
SVP of Global Operations
David Richter
SVP of Business
Jill Hazelbaker
SVP of Communications
and Public Policy
Salle Yoo
Chief Legal Officer
Yoo was promoted from General Counsel on May 21
—
General Counsel
Jeff Holden
Chief Product Officer
Daniel Graf
Head of Product
Frances Frei
SVP of Leadership
and Strategy
Eric Meyhofer
Head of
Autonomous Vehicles
Jason Droege
Head of
UberEVERYTHING