The senior executive overseeing safety operations at Uber Technologies Inc. is set to leave the company, marking the latest leadership shakeup at a time when Uber faces heightened legal scrutiny over passenger safety.
Gus Fuldner, a senior vice president for safety and core services who has worked at Uber for more than a decade, announced in a LinkedIn post that he will depart in January. His exit follows another high-profile executive departure earlier this year, signaling a broader reshuffling of leadership at the rideshare giant.
Second Major Leadership Change This Year
Fuldner’s departure comes months after longtime executive Pierre-Dimitri Gore-Coty, formerly senior vice president for delivery, left the company. Following Gore-Coty’s exit, Uber promoted Andrew Macdonald to chief operating officer, a role the company had not filled since 2019.
Macdonald’s promotion consolidated leadership over Uber’s core businesses, including ride-hailing and delivery, giving him broader operational oversight during a period of legal and regulatory pressure.
Leadership Changes Amid Safety Lawsuits
The executive reshuffle comes as Uber continues to defend itself against thousands of lawsuits in the United States. Many of the cases were filed by female passengers who allege they were sexually assaulted or harassed by Uber drivers.
In September, Uber won a closely watched jury trial that found the company did not fail its legal duty to exercise the highest level of care in protecting passengers. However, additional trials are scheduled to begin early next year, keeping safety practices under judicial examination.
Reporting Structure Adjusted After Exit
Uber has not announced a direct replacement for Fuldner. Instead, the company said existing heads of safety and insurance will report directly to Macdonald, who also oversees customer support and other complementary functions.
According to a company spokesperson, Macdonald’s expanded responsibilities also include oversight of strategic growth areas such as autonomous vehicle initiatives and advertising.
Engineering and Product Teams Reassigned
In a separate LinkedIn post, Dara Khosrowshahi said that engineering and product teams supporting safety operations and core services will move under the leadership of Praveen Neppalli Naga and Sachin Kansal.
The reorganization aims to integrate safety-related technology and product development more closely with Uber’s broader engineering and product strategy.
Focus on Stability During Ongoing Litigation
Uber’s latest executive changes underscore the company’s effort to stabilize leadership while navigating complex legal challenges related to rider safety. With more trials ahead, the company’s approach to governance, accountability, and safety oversight is likely to remain under close public and judicial scrutiny.
