Brad Lightcap
Brad Lightcap was a finance and operations executive whose OpenAI remit covered Research, Applied AI, and Go-To-Market. He joined OpenAI in 2018 as chief financial officer and became its chief operating officer in 2022. Earlier, at Dropbox from 2013, he worked on product and partnership analytics and corporate finance. In March 2025 his remit grew to cover day-to-day operations and international expansion. In April 2026 he moved to lead special projects, still reporting to Sam Altman, and in August 2026 he announced that he was leaving OpenAI to start something new.
Timeline
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By 2013
Analytics work at Dropbox
He holds economics and history degrees from Duke University. He joins Dropbox in 2013, where he works on product and partnership analytics and corporate finance.
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2018–2022
Chief financial officer at OpenAI
He joins OpenAI in 2018 as chief financial officer and spends four years in the role.
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2022–2026
Chief operating officer at OpenAI
He becomes chief operating officer in 2022, overseeing business, operations, and strategic partnerships across Research, Applied AI, and Go-To-Market.
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March 2025
Wider operations remit
In March 2025 OpenAI gives him expanded responsibilities for day-to-day operations and international expansion.
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April 2026
Special projects at OpenAI
In April 2026 he moves from the chief operating officer role to special projects, still reporting to CEO Sam Altman.
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August 2026
Leaving OpenAI to start something new
In August 2026 he announces that he is leaving OpenAI to start something new. He plans to remain at the company for a few more weeks.
Sources and credits
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