Overview

• A Kiss Cam moment at Coldplay’s Gillette Stadium show captured CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot in an intimate embrace that went viral on TikTok and X.
• Internet users quickly identified both executives and noted that each is married to a different partner, raising questions about potential policy violations.
• Astronomer suspended Byron and placed Cabot on leave before launching a formal investigation into compliance with its policies prohibiting supervisor–subordinate relationships.
• On July 19, Byron offered his resignation which the board accepted, and co-founder Pete DeJoy is now serving as interim CEO.
• The company is searching for a permanent leader and has emphasized its commitment to corporate conduct standards in the face of heightened social media scrutiny.