OpenAI Executive Brad Lightcap Leaves After Eight Years

August 12, 2026
Brad Lightcap is leaving OpenAI after eight years. He previously served as chief operating officer and most recently led special projects.
OpenAI Executive Brad Lightcap Leaves After Eight Years

Brad Lightcap, a longtime executive at OpenAI, said Tuesday that he is leaving the company after eight years to start something new, CNBC reports.

Lightcap joined OpenAI in 2018 and held several senior roles, including four years as chief operating officer. In April, he moved into a role focused on special projects, while chief revenue officer Denise Dresser took over most of his prior responsibilities.

In his Tuesday post on X, Lightcap said he had spent most of the last decade building the company and its operations. He did not give details about his next venture.

Lightcap is one of several OpenAI executives to leave in recent months. Fidji Simo stepped down from her product and business role in July, and Bill Peebles, Kevin Weil, and Srinivas Narayanan announced departures in April.

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