The board of directors at Automattic has been replaced following a failed attempt to remove CEO Matt Mullenweg. Last week, board members voted to place the WordPress founder on a paid leave of absence, citing reasons that remain undisclosed.
Mullenweg challenged the board's decision, alleging a conspiracy against him. By Friday, he announced his return to leadership. An official company spokesperson confirmed that Mullenweg was absent from his duties for 33 hours and 20 minutes.
The shakeup involves the departure of board members Toni Schneider, Sue Decker, and General Ann Dunwoody. Schneider, a former CEO of Automattic, has updated his personal website to reflect his exit. Decker's professional profile confirms her tenure ended in September 2026.
Automattic declined to provide specific details regarding the board changes but acknowledged the departures. The company stated that the current leadership team maintains full support for Mullenweg. An internal announcement regarding the new board composition is expected on Monday.
The conflict occurs amid an ongoing legal dispute between Automattic and WP Engine. Mullenweg has accused the hosting company of trademark infringement and insufficient contributions to the open-source project, while WP Engine has alleged that Mullenweg destroyed evidence related to the case.
