Sources say Automattic’s board is out after failed attempt to oust CEO Matt Mullenweg

image via TechCrunch

September 14, 2026, 3:34 PM

• •TechCrunch reports that Automattic’s board members have departed after a failed effort to place CEO Matt Mullenweg on paid leave.
• •Sources indicated Toni Schneider left his board seat, while Sue Decker resigned and Gen. Ann Dunwoody was removed; Automattic did not detail specific individual changes.
• •Automattic said Mullenweg was away for only 33 hours and 20 minutes and is back leading the company.
• •The company’s chief legal officer Andy Missan is no longer at Automattic, and TechCrunch reports CFO Mark Davies was also let go after being slated as interim CEO.
• •The reasons for the board’s vote remain unclear, but the turmoil comes amid Automattic’s legal fight with WP Engine.

TechCrunch reports that Automattic’s board members have departed after a failed attempt to place CEO Matt Mullenweg on paid leave. The article says Toni Schneider left his board seat, Sue Decker resigned, and Gen. Ann Dunwoody was removed, while Automattic publicly confirmed only that some people had left. It also reports that chief legal officer Andy Missan and CFO Mark Davies are no longer with the company after Mullenweg returned to control. The reasons behind the board’s vote remain unclear, but the dispute comes amid Automattic’s high-profile legal battle with WP Engine.

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