Astronomer, the data orchestration platform behind Apache Airflow, has placed its CEO, Andy Byron, and Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot, on immediate leave after the pair were captured embracing on a “kiss cam” at a recent Coldplay concert in Massachusetts.
The viral footage, which circulated widely across social media, triggered internal concerns about workplace conduct and leadership accountability, prompting the company’s board of directors to launch a formal investigation.
In a statement, the Astronomer said:
“We are aware of the video that surfaced and have taken immediate action to maintain trust and integrity within the company. An internal review is underway, and both executives are on administrative leave during the process.”
While the company did not specify whether the embrace violated corporate policies, sources suggest the video drew scrutiny because both individuals hold top-level positions in the company’s executive team, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest or policy breaches.
Pete DeJoy, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Astronomer, has been appointed interim CEO to lead operations during the investigation.
This leadership shake-up follows mounting pressure on tech companies to reinforce workplace ethics, particularly surrounding romantic relationships between senior executives.
Though neither Byron nor Cabot has commented publicly, insiders say a decision on their long-term future at Astronomer will be made once the board concludes its probe.
Astronomer, headquartered in Cincinnati, has been a key player in cloud-based data orchestration and recently raised significant funding from top venture firms.
