Kristin Cabot resigns as Astronomer HR exec after kiss cam scandal with CEO Andy Byron

Kristin Cabot, Astronomer's HR executive, resigned after a controversial kiss cam moment with former CEO Andy Byron. Byron also resigned after the incident, and Astronomer's Board of Directors initiated a formal internal review. The company stated that leaders are expected to set a high standard of conduct and accountability. Cabot had been a target of backlash on social media, and the incident has sparked discussions about workplace culture and boundaries.

Astronomer, a leading data infrastructure startup, has seen two of its top executives resign following a controversial incident at a Coldplay concert. Kristin Cabot, the company's chief people officer, and former CEO Andy Byron both stepped down after a viral "kiss cam" moment at the July 16 concert in Boston.

The incident, captured by the stadium's jumbotron, showed Cabot and Byron embracing before they quickly realized they were on camera. The video quickly went viral, sparking intense backlash and speculation on social media. Both executives were placed on leave while the company conducted a formal investigation into the incident.

Byron resigned from his position earlier, with the company stating that he had failed to meet its standards in "conduct and accountability." Cabot followed suit, resigning as the company's HR executive [1]. The resignation comes as part of a broader discussion about workplace culture and boundaries, particularly in the tech industry.

Astronomer's Board of Directors has initiated a formal internal review to understand the incident's implications and ensure the company's values and culture are upheld. The company remains committed to its mission of helping customers with their toughest data and AI problems.

References:
[1] https://nypost.com/2025/07/24/us-news/kristin-cabot-resigns-from-astronomer-more-than-a-week-after-coldplay-kiss-cam-scandal/
[2] https://www.businessinsider.com/astronomer-hr-head-kristin-cabot-resigns-2025-7
[3] https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Culture/astronomer-hr-exec-resigns-after-viral-kiss-cam/story?id=124064561
[4] https://www.business-standard.com/world-news/astronomer-hr-exec-resigns-days-after-kiss-cam-row-with-ceo-andy-byron-125072600073_1.html
[5] https://www.newsweek.com/astronomer-ceo-andy-byron-resigns-after-coldplay-kiss-cam-moment-2101267