Bluesky's CEO Jay Graber, who has guided the emerging social media platform since 2021, is stepping down from her position as the company's top executive. Toni Schneider, a long-time advisor and investor with Bluesky, will assume the role on an interim basis, while Graber remains in her capacity as Chief Innovation Officer.
"As Bluesky evolves, the organization requires a seasoned leader focused on growth and operational execution, while I return to my core strength: developing new initiatives," Graber stated in a blog post. Schneider, who previously served as CEO of Automattic—the parent company of WordPress—will serve as that experienced leader during the search for a permanent CEO, according to Graber.
Graber's involvement with Bluesky began in its formative stages as a side initiative under Jack Dorsey's Twitter. She was officially appointed CEO in 2021 when Bluesky transitioned into an independent entity, ending its formal association with Twitter in 2022. Dorsey later severed all ties with Bluesky in 2024. Under her leadership, the platform expanded from an invitation-only service to a user base of 43 million. During this period, she became recognized for her advocacy of decentralized social networks and for humorously critiquing Mark Zuckerberg’s fashion choices.
Since its public launch nearly three years ago, Bluesky has established a modest but significant presence in the evolving social media ecosystem beyond Twitter. The platform is still smaller than Meta's Threads, which has adopted several of Bluesky's defining features. Additionally, Bluesky has yet to implement robust monetization strategies, although it has previously hinted at launching a premium subscription model.
In her new role as Chief Innovation Officer, Graber will likely continue to influence the company's direction. As noted by Wired, she still holds a seat on Bluesky's board, giving her input in selecting the next permanent CEO. For now, Schneider, who is also a partner at the venture capital firm Tre Ventures, will lead the company. "I deeply believe in what this team has built and the open social web they are championing," he wrote in a post on Bluesky.