OpenAI has appointed Mike Liberatore, formerly the Chief Financial Officer of Elon Musk’s company xAI, as its new Business Finance Officer. Liberatore will work with Chief Financial Officer Sarah Friar and President Greg Brockman to guide the company’s financial strategy and oversee the scaling of its computing infrastructure.
In announcing the appointment, OpenAI emphasized that Liberatore’s role will center on strengthening the company’s financial operations at a time when it is continuing to expand capacity. Computing infrastructure has become one of the organization’s largest commitments, and effective management of financial resources is viewed internally as essential for sustaining growth.
Sam Altman, OpenAI’s co-founder and CEO, said in a statement, “Mike brings operational expertise and financial insight that will help OpenAI as we continue to scale our infrastructure and capabilities.”
Liberatore joins OpenAI after leaving xAI in July 2025. His short tenure at Musk’s company lasted only a few months, a period during which he managed its financial planning and early investment activity. Before xAI, Liberatore held senior finance roles at Airbnb, where he contributed to managing budgets and overseeing operational spending in a large-scale technology business. His background combines both startup experience and established corporate leadership, giving him a breadth of perspective on financial governance.
Shaping Finance in a Competitive Landscape
Liberatore’s move from xAI to OpenAI is notable not only because of his recent association with Musk but also due to the public disputes between Musk and OpenAI. Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI, filed a lawsuit against the company and its leadership in early 2024. The case alleged that OpenAI had strayed from its original nonprofit commitments. In April 2024, OpenAI filed a countersuit against Musk, accusing him of harassment. These legal battles have placed the two organizations on opposing sides in both governance and vision.
The fact that OpenAI is now hiring an executive who so recently served at xAI highlights the degree of talent movement across companies in the sector. Competition for senior leadership with financial and operational expertise is high. For OpenAI, Liberatore’s appointment strengthens its ability to align investment decisions with infrastructure expansion.
Greg Brockman, OpenAI’s co-founder and president, emphasized this connection between finance and operations, saying, “Scaling infrastructure requires careful financial management. Mike’s experience will support these operations while aligning strategic priorities with operational capabilities.”
Liberatore’s exit from xAI came during a period of executive turnover there, which included other leadership changes. His appointment at OpenAI signals that his skills in financial oversight and operational strategy remain valued in a rapidly changing industry.
Role and Responsibilities at OpenAI
In his position as Business Finance Officer, Liberatore will manage financial planning to support the organization’s computing and research requirements. Infrastructure costs, including supercomputing resources, are among OpenAI’s largest investments. Strong financial oversight helps ensure that resources are directed efficiently and that operations are sustained without disruption.
Working alongside Sarah Friar, OpenAI’s CFO since August 2024, Liberatore will contribute to a leadership team responsible for ensuring the company maintains its financial health while pursuing large-scale projects. Friar, who previously led Nextdoor as CEO and held senior finance roles at Square and Goldman Sachs, has been credited with professionalizing OpenAI’s financial operations. Liberatore’s addition provides further depth to this structure.
By embedding financial leadership more deeply into operational planning, OpenAI aims to ensure that its growth is backed by robust governance. This approach is particularly significant as competition across the technology sector drives up the cost of talent, research, and infrastructure.
