In a stunning development that has rocked the tech world, Astronomer — the fast-growing data orchestration company behind Apache Airflow — is facing growing scrutiny after the sudden resignation of its CEO, Andy Byron. But what’s even more shocking to many is not who left… but who didn’t. While Byron has stepped down amid internal turmoil, the company’s head of Human Resources, Kristin Cabot, remains firmly in her role — a decision that has sparked speculation, frustration, and serious questions about what’s unfolding behind closed doors.

The Resignation That Raised Eyebrows

Andy Byron, once hailed as a strong strategic leader who helped position Astronomer as a major player in the cloud data engineering space, abruptly resigned earlier this year. Official statements described his exit as a “mutual decision,” but insiders suggest the reality may be far messier.

Sources close to the company allege that Byron’s resignation was tied to a growing storm of internal complaints — not about his performance, but about the HR practices under Kristin Cabot’s leadership. Employees reportedly raised concerns about how workplace issues were being handled, including accusations of bias, retaliation, and a toxic culture that was allegedly being ignored or enabled by Cabot’s department.

A Pattern of Discontent

Multiple former and current employees, speaking under condition of anonymity, have described a climate of fear and confusion. According to one former engineer, “You never felt safe going to HR. If you reported something, it either vanished into a black hole or came back to haunt you.”

Others echoed similar sentiments, alleging that HR complaints were mismanaged or brushed aside — and in some cases, employees who raised issues were quietly pushed out.

“It became clear that protecting leadership was more important than protecting the people,” said another source.

Despite these reports, no formal investigation has been publicly announced, and Kristin Cabot remains in her role.

The Question Everyone’s Asking: Why Is Cabot Still There?

The contrast has not gone unnoticed. On social media platforms like LinkedIn and in tech Slack communities, professionals are openly wondering: Why was Byron allowed — or forced — to take the fall, while Cabot’s role remains untouched?

Some suggest that Byron may have taken the hit to shield the company from further reputational damage, while others believe his resignation was a form of protest — a final act of leadership in a culture that, according to insiders, had become increasingly difficult to navigate.

“It’s not uncommon in tech for HR to become untouchable,” said a former HR consultant familiar with the situation. “Once HR becomes too intertwined with executive power, it’s very difficult to hold it accountable. It stops being about people and starts being about protecting the company.”

Legal Action Brewing?

The whispers don’t end with discontent. Several rumors have circulated that at least one former employee is preparing to file a lawsuit — possibly for wrongful termination or hostile work environment. If that happens, it could open the floodgates for more employees to come forward and shine a spotlight on how Astronomer has been handling internal conflict.

It would also bring legal scrutiny not just to HR practices, but to how much senior leadership knew — and when.

Silence from the Top

Astronomer has yet to release a detailed statement regarding the circumstances of Byron’s departure or the status of Kristin Cabot. The company’s silence is only fueling speculation and anger.

In an industry that preaches transparency and accountability, especially in startups that rely heavily on culture as a competitive edge, Astronomer’s handling of this internal crisis could become a cautionary tale.

A Moment of Reckoning?

At the heart of this controversy is a larger question facing many tech companies today: What happens when HR, designed to protect employees, becomes more about damage control than justice? And what does real accountability look like?

If Astronomer hopes to restore trust — internally and externally — it will need to address these questions directly. Because while a CEO may be gone, the issues that led to his departure remain.

And the world is watching.