Jay Graber is stepping down as Bluesky CEO after leading the company from its 2019 inception to over 40 million users. The decentralized social network she helped build has evolved from a protocol reference client into a thriving platform challenging traditional social media models.

Graber announced she's transitioning to Chief Innovation Officer, citing her passion for building new things over scaling operations. Toni Schneider, former Automattic CEO and True Ventures partner, will serve as interim CEO while the board searches for a permanent replacement. Schneider has advised Bluesky for over a year and shares the company's mission for an open, user-driven internet.

This leadership change comes as Bluesky matures and requires seasoned operational expertise to manage continued growth. The company has expanded the AT Protocol ecosystem and demonstrated that values-driven social networks can succeed at scale. Graber's move reflects her belief that people thrive when their roles align with their strengths, allowing her to focus on innovation while bringing in experienced leadership for the scaling phase.