OpenAI appoints former Slack CEO as CRO, bringing 14 years at Salesforce
OpenAI’s latest hire signals a clear push toward the business side of artificial intelligence. The company announced that it has brought on the former Slack CEO to serve as chief revenue officer, a role that sits at the intersection of product rollout and market adoption. While the tech is impressive, the real test will be how quickly AI can move from research labs into everyday enterprise workflows.
The new CRO arrives with a hefty résumé: 14 years at Salesforce, as noted in a message from Marc Benioff, and a track record of climbing through several executive positions before taking the helm at Slack. Here’s the thing: OpenAI isn’t just adding a name to its leadership chart; it’s tapping someone who has already overseen large‑scale shifts in how software is sold and delivered.
Why does this matter? Because the next phase for OpenAI hinges on turning cutting‑edge models into tools that businesses can trust and use at scale. Denise’s background, according to the announcement, positions her to steer that effort.
“Denise has led that kind of shift before, and her experience will help us make AI useful, reliable, and accessible for businesses everywhere.”
"Denise has led that kind of shift before, and her experience will help us make AI useful, reliable, and accessible for businesses everywhere." Dresser has been at Salesforce for 14 years, according to Benioff's message. Prior to becoming CEO, she held a number of executive roles in Salesforce's enterprise sales unit. She was appointed CEO in 2023, after the previous CEO, Lidiane Jones, departed for the chief executive role at Bumble. (Jones served as Slack's CEO for about a year.) The company that eventually became Slack was founded in 2009.
Will OpenAI’s enterprise push gain momentum? Denise Dresser steps into the chief revenue officer role next week, leaving Slack after a brief tenure as its CEO. At OpenAI she will oversee the rapidly expanding enterprise unit and report to COO Brad Lightcap.
Her 14‑year stint at Salesforce, including several executive posts before becoming Slack’s chief, is the only experience cited for the move. “Denise has led that kind of shift before, and her experience will help us make AI useful, reliable, and accessible for businesses everywhere,” the company said. Yet the article offers no detail on how her background will translate to OpenAI’s distinct product strategy.
The announcement came via Marc Benioff’s staff message, confirming her departure. It's unclear whether Dresser’s Salesforce‑rooted expertise will address the unique challenges of scaling AI services for corporate clients. The hire signals OpenAI’s intent to formalize revenue operations, but the impact on its enterprise growth remains uncertain.
Further Reading
- Slack CEO Denise Dresser Joins OpenAI as Chief Revenue Officer - WebProNews
- Slack CEO steps down to become chief revenue officer at OpenAI - Engadget
- OpenAI hires Slack CEO Denise Dresser as its first chief revenue officer in enterprise AI push - The Verge
- Former Slack CEO Denise Dresser joins OpenAI as chief revenue officer, signaling aggressive enterprise strategy - TechCrunch
- From Salesforce to Slack to OpenAI: Denise Dresser’s move underscores AI’s new business battleground - WIRED
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Common Questions Answered
What role will the former Slack CEO assume at OpenAI, and what are her main responsibilities?
The former Slack CEO will join OpenAI as chief revenue officer (CRO). In this role she will oversee the rapidly expanding enterprise unit, bridging product rollout with market adoption and reporting directly to COO Brad Lightcap.
How many years did Denise Dresser spend at Salesforce before moving to OpenAI, and what positions did she hold there?
Denise Dresser spent 14 years at Salesforce, holding several executive posts within the company's enterprise sales unit. Her experience includes senior leadership roles that prepared her for the CRO position at OpenAI.
Why does OpenAI consider Denise Dresser’s experience crucial for making AI useful, reliable, and accessible for businesses?
OpenAI believes Dresser’s track record of leading large‑scale enterprise shifts will help translate cutting‑edge AI research into everyday business workflows. Her background at Salesforce and Slack positions her to ensure AI solutions are both reliable and widely adoptable across enterprises.
Who did Denise Dresser replace as Slack’s CEO, and what subsequent role did that predecessor take?
Denise Dresser succeeded Lidiane Jones as Slack’s CEO after Jones left to become the chief executive of Bumble. This leadership change highlights the fluid movement of top talent between high‑growth tech companies.