Instacart has announced an unexpected top executive shakeup. Fidji Simo announced she is leaving as CEO to join OpenAI as the new CEO of Applications. Effective August 15, Chris Rogers, formerly COO of Instacart, will take over as new CEO. He will also serve on the company’s Board of Directors. Simo will remain actively involved in the company as Chair of the Board, ensuring a smooth transition during this pivotal time.
Fidji Simo, who deepened Instacart’s technology focus since taking charge in 2021, told employees of her decision in a letter. In her letter, she congratulated the team on all the hard work they accomplished. She found it encouraging that culture and the company’s mission are, “Inspiration every day.” Simo particularly stressed her dedication to working with Rogers in the months ahead to ensure a smooth transition.
Chris Rogers, who has played a critical role in shaping Instacart’s growth and strategic direction, expressed his enthusiasm for leading the company. He stated, “Instacart sits at the center of how people shop, eat, and care for their families — and that’s always been what inspires me most about our mission.” His close hand on Instacart’s day-to-day operations and partnerships makes him uniquely qualified to help steer the grocery delivery giant as it enters this new phase.
Fidji Simo underscored the reasoning behind Rogers’ appointment, noting, “We chose Chris because the company needs a leader who understands all our partners deeply, has immense operational experience, and can mobilize teams around our vision.” Yet, this transition isn’t just the start of a new era for America’s largest online grocery delivery service.
Along with this leadership transition, Instacart has brought on Aisha Malik as its new Chief Product Officer. Malik received an honours bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto. He has a master’s degree in journalism from Western University. Since coming on board at TechCrunch in person in late 2021, she has quickly built an impressive rapport as a key consumer witness reporter. Prior to that, she was a telecom reporter with MobileSyrup.
As Fidji Simo heads toward OpenAI, she leaves behind a legacy of growth, innovation, and positive change at Instacart. The firm’s leadership transition comes at an inflection point. It is part of a broader strategy to get ahead of shifting consumer habits and fill potential gaps in their service portfolio.
