OpenAI hires Jill Hazelbaker, Uber's president and chief corporate affairs officer, as its new chief corporate affairs officer, reporting to Greg Brockman

OpenAI is building a dedicated executive function to manage its public perception and regulatory entanglements.

OpenAI has appointed Jill Hazelbaker as its new Chief Corporate Affairs Officer. Hazelbaker, formerly the president and chief corporate affairs officer at Uber, will be responsible for leading OpenAI's global communications and corporate positioning. During her nearly ten-year tenure at Uber, she was instrumental in guiding the company through significant regulatory and reputational challenges as it expanded globally. The announcement, made on November 3, 2026, also noted that Hazelbaker will report to OpenAI President and co-founder Greg Brockman. Her political campaign experience includes work for John McCain and Michael Bloomberg. This hire comes as OpenAI continues to bolster its public affairs and governance functions, with other related appointments occurring around the same time.

This strategic hire signals OpenAI's intent to proactively manage its complex relationship with regulators and the public, especially as AI technology becomes more integrated into daily life and business operations. Hazelbaker's extensive experience at Uber, a company that faced numerous high-profile regulatory battles, suggests OpenAI is preparing for a similar, if not more intense, period of scrutiny. The emphasis on "corporate positioning" indicates a move towards a more unified and controlled narrative around the company's mission, products, and safety protocols. This is critical for building trust and navigating the evolving global AI governance landscape, which is increasingly becoming a key factor in technological adoption and market success.

The appointment of a seasoned executive like Hazelbaker, with a background in political campaigns and crisis management, underscores the growing importance of public affairs in the AI sector. It suggests that companies are no longer just competing on technological innovation but also on their ability to shape public opinion and secure favorable regulatory environments. This hire will likely influence how other AI companies approach their own corporate communications and government relations strategies, potentially leading to a broader trend of investing in high-level public affairs expertise. Stakeholders should watch how OpenAI leverages this new leadership to influence policy discussions and shape the public discourse around artificial intelligence.