Automattic has entered a new leadership phase after its board changed following last week's brief move to place CEO Matt Mullenweg on paid leave. Multiple sources say the board is now out, and the company has confirmed that some members have departed.
Mullenweg, who founded WordPress and leads WordPress.com parent company Automattic, had earlier told staff via Slack that he was back in control. The company later confirmed his return as CEO, signaling a rapid reset at the top of the organization.
Among the reported changes, Toni Schneider, a founding Automattic executive and now head of Bluesky, appears to have stepped away from his board role. Sue Decker and Gen Ann Dunwoody were also said to have left the board, while Decker's professional profile was updated to reflect her tenure through September 2026.
Automattic has not detailed the internal transition, but a spokesperson said the company appreciates the contributions of those involved and is focused on moving forward with Mullenweg leading the business. Sources also suggest a new board announcement could follow soon.
The reshuffle comes as Automattic remains closely watched because of its ongoing legal and strategic tensions around WordPress and open-source software. Even so, the company is now signaling continuity, leadership stability, and a return to product momentum.
As Automattic redefines its governance structure, the outcome may shape how major open-source companies balance leadership, accountability, and long-term innovation in the years ahead.
