Andy Byron, the now-former CEO of New York-based tech company Astronomer, has officially resigned from his position following a viral video that sparked widespread attention online. The video, taken during a Coldplay concert at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts, showed Byron closely embracing Kristin Cabot, the company’s Chief People Officer, on the arena’s “kiss cam” — a moment that quickly lit up social media.
A Kiss Cam, A Viral Video, and Immediate Fallout
In the video, Byron and Cabot were seen getting cozy before abruptly ducking out of frame once they noticed the camera. The moment raised eyebrows, not just because of the public nature of the interaction, but because it involved two top executives at the same company.
Following the video’s spread, speculation mounted online, with alleged statements from Byron circulating. However, Astronomer took to LinkedIn to clear the air, stating firmly that:
“Byron has not put out any statement… reports saying otherwise are incorrect.”
The company also addressed the misidentification of a third person seen in the clip, stressing that misinformation was spreading quickly in the wake of the video’s release.
Leadership Shakeup at Astronomer
In an official statement shared with CNN on Saturday, Astronomer confirmed that its board of directors had accepted Byron’s resignation and would immediately begin the search for a new CEO. For now, co-founder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy will step into the role as interim CEO.
“As stated previously, Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding. Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met,” the company said in its statement.
Astronomer, founded in 2018, has built its reputation on solving complex problems in the data and AI space. While the company acknowledged that the sudden surge in attention may have shifted public awareness, it reaffirmed its commitment to its mission.
As of now, Byron’s LinkedIn profile has been taken down, and he has been removed from Astronomer’s leadership page. However, he still appears to be listed as a member of the company’s board of directors — at least for the time being.
A History of Allegations Resurfaces
The Coldplay incident may have triggered Byron’s resignation, but this isn’t the first time the executive has faced controversy.
In a 2018 exposé published by The Information, former employees of Cybereason — a cybersecurity company where Byron served as Chief Revenue Officer — painted a troubling picture of his management style. According to the report, Byron was known to lash out at employees who challenged him and reportedly fostered a high-pressure, fear-based work culture.
“You couldn’t challenge him,” one ex-employee said.
Another added, “It was never enough to just say we were a fast-growing company. We had to be the fastest-growing.”
Byron responded to the claims at the time by saying that “difficult decisions” were necessary during a high-growth phase and denied any allegations of misconduct.
Public and Private Life Collide – Andy Byron
For 2025 faster ahead, Byron is in hot water – this time for behavior outside the boardroom. While some formal allegations of policy violations have not been published, the optics of two high -ranking officials who showed intimacy in a public event were sufficient for Swift Corporate Action.
And with public investigations, the decision to quickly rebuild astronomer’s management can reflect a comprehensive industry change to accountability and transparency at the top.
Final Thoughts
This situation is a stark reminder that in today’s always-online world, the lines between personal and professional conduct are more blurred than ever. Whether intentional or not, actions in public—especially by company leaders—can carry serious consequences.
As Astronomer looks ahead, the company will need to rebuild trust while maintaining its focus on innovation and data-driven solutions. Meanwhile, the tech world continues watching closely to see how companies handle leadership controversies in the digital age.
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