Astronomer, the data orchestration company, has placed CEO Andy Byron and HR Chief Kristin Cabot on administrative leave following the circulation of a viral video from a Coldplay concert that showed the two in an intimate embrace during a "kiss cam" segment. The moment, which was captured live and quickly spread across social media, sparked widespread speculation of an extramarital affair, given that both individuals are married.
The video showed Byron hugging Cabot from behind and both appearing startled as their faces appeared on the big screen. They then tried to shield themselves, but the footage had already gone viral, igniting a public relations firestorm for the company.
In response, Astronomer's board launched an internal investigation, releasing a public statement two days after the incident. The statement reaffirmed the company’s commitment to its founding values and emphasized that leaders are held to high standards of professional conduct and accountability.
The company also refuted false online claims that the woman in the video was Alyssa Stoddard, the company's Vice President of Human Resources, clarifying that it was in fact Kristin Cabot.
To maintain business continuity, co-founder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy has stepped in as interim CEO while the investigation is ongoing.
This incident has not only raised concerns about the personal judgment and conduct of top executives but has also opened up questions regarding company culture, ethics, and workplace relationships at the leadership level.
