OpenAI’s Sandro Gianella to move into new 0–1 initiatives role and begin executive MBA
Photo credit: Sandro Gianella
Sandro Gianella, who currently leads OpenAI’s policy and partnerships across Europe and the Middle East, has outlined the next phase of his career in a detailed LinkedIn post. He confirmed that he will move into a new role at OpenAI next year focused on “0→1 initiatives” — helping to build out new teams and capabilities across the organization.
OpenAI is expanding its presence in international markets, with policy and partnerships playing a key role in shaping responsible AI adoption. Gianella joined the company after holding positions at Stripe and Google, and has led OpenAI’s regional engagement on regulation, partnerships, and education initiatives.
Gianella wrote: “I’ll transition into a new role at OpenAI next year focusing on 0→1 initiatives to help build out new teams and capabilities throughout OpenAI. It’s an exciting moment to explore the next frontiers and make sure we’re ready for what’s ahead.”
Focus on leadership and continued learning
Alongside the career transition, Gianella announced that he will begin the joint executive MBA program at ETH Zurich and the University of St. Gallen in 2026–2027. The program, known as emba X, combines business and technology-focused leadership training.
“I’ve decided to enroll in the joint EMBA ETH Zurich + University of St.Gallen (emba X) in 2026/2027 to sharpen my business toolkit and reflect on the next decade of leadership and impact,” he wrote.
He also confirmed plans to continue angel investing in early-stage startups, particularly those developing real-world AI applications across healthcare, education, and other industries. “I’ll continue investing as an angel in bold founders shaping the ‘messy middle’ of AI deployment — where technology meets real-world impact,” Gianella added.
Recruitment for new EMEA policy leadership
As part of the transition, Gianella said OpenAI will begin recruiting a senior leader to take over his current role. He will work with Christopher Lehane to identify a candidate for the new EMEA Global Affairs Lead position.
He described the opportunity as “a rare chance to work at the front line of technology and policy with an exceptional team during one of the most consequential moments for AI.”
Gianella concluded his post by reflecting on his time at OpenAI and the broader industry. “This chapter and the past years at OpenAI has been the culmination of my career at the intersection of policy and technology,” he wrote, adding his thanks to colleagues including Jason Kwon, Anna Makanju, and Chris Lehane for their partnership.
