Reddit CEO Ellen Pao resigns

Ellen Pao is no longer the CEO of Reddit.

The news of her departure follows recent disruption across the site as moderators rebelled against what they saw as the unfair sacking of its AMA coordinator. Pao’s apology was seemingly not enough to quall the site’s fury.

Ellen Pao resigned from Reddit today by mutual agreement,” the site’s Sam Altman said. I’m delighted to announce that Steve Huffman, founder and the original Reddit CEO, is returning as CEO.

We are thankful for Ellen’s many contributions to Reddit and the technology industry generally. She brought focus to chaos, recruited a world-class team of executives, and drove growth. She brought a face to Reddit that changed perceptions, and is a pioneer for women in the tech industry. She will remain as an advisor to the board through the end of 2015.

As a closing note, it was sickening to see some of the things redditors wrote about Ellen. The reduction in compassion that happens when we’re all behind computer screens is not good for the world. People are still people even if there is Internet between you. If the Reddit community cannot learn to balance authenticity and compassion, it may be a great website but it will never be a truly great community. Steve’s great challenge as CEO will be continuing the work Ellen started to drive this forward.

Disagreements are fine. Death threats are not, are not covered under free speech, and will continue to get offending users banned.”

Pao later told Re/Code that her departure was a mutual decision” based on the fact that her growth forecasts for the site were less aggressive” than the Reddit board’s.