Bluesky, the decentralized social network positioning itself as an alternative to traditional platforms, is undergoing a major leadership change as CEO Jay Graber, who grew the platform from a small X alternative to 43 million users, steps down to become Chief Innovation Officer.
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The announcement comes at an important time for Bluesky, which is steadily attracting users looking for alternatives to centralized social media. Graber’s shift to CIO signals a focus on product innovation and advancing Bluesky’s decentralized AT Protocol.
Graber has played a key role in shaping Bluesky’s vision. Under her leadership, it grew from a Twitter-funded research project into an independent platform with its own identity. This change comes as competition in decentralized social media is increasing, raising questions about the company’s next steps.
As Bluesky grows, the company needs an experienced leader to focus on scaling and operations, while she return to building new things. Toni Schneider, former CEO of Automattic and partner at True Ventures, will serve as interim CEO while the board searches for a permanent leader.
Toni strongly supports Bluesky’s mission and has advised the company and me for over a year—both Automattic and True Ventures, which back Bluesky, promote a more open, user-driven internet. At Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, Toni helped advance this mission, showing curiosity, long-term thinking, and a deep understanding of building a mission-driven company. I’m confident he is the right leader for Bluesky’s next chapter.
Graber’s move to Chief Innovation Officer shows she isn’t leaving Bluesky but shifting her focus to building and innovating. This kind of founder transition is common in tech, where CEOs step back from daily operations to focus on product and technology while operational leaders take charge. The company needs someone to manage the complexities of running a growing social platform, while Graber ensures the product remains innovative, and true to its decentralized roots. Bluesky’s AT Protocol sets it apart by letting users keep their data and connections, unlike traditional social networks.
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