Automattic board dissolved following failed CEO suspension vote
Automattic's board has been dissolved after its members voted to place CEO Matt Mullenweg on leave, a move that failed. Mullenweg returned to control within about 33 hours, and the board members who supported the ouster have since left their positions. Automattic acknowledged the departures but declined to comment on individuals.
The failed ouster vote centered on a paid leave proposal, which Mullenweg resisted and reversed within roughly 33 hours. Board members who backed the move—including founding CEO Toni Schneider and appointees Sue Decker and Ann Dunwoody—have since exited, with Schneider editing his personal bio and Decker updating her LinkedIn to reflect a tenure ending in 2026. Automattic’s public statement thanked departing members without naming them, while confirming Mullenweg’s return with board support. An internal announcement about a new board may come Monday.
The episode unfolds amid Automattic’s legal fight with WP Engine over WordPress trademark use and alleged under-contribution. WP Engine has accused Mullenweg of destroying evidence in messaging apps, and he previously deactivated contributor accounts over a fork plan. The board’s sudden dissolution leaves governance concentrated under Mullenweg, whose leadership style has drawn scrutiny during the dispute.
This shakeup could signal a consolidation of power around a founder-CEO, potentially affecting WordPress’s open-source community and commercial partners. If governance checks weaken, decisions on trademark enforcement, contributor relations, and legal strategy may become more unilateral. Users and developers relying on WordPress’s neutrality could face uncertainty, while investors and employees may weigh stability against accountability. The outcome may also influence how other tech companies handle board oversight during founder-led crises.