While the “Coldplay kiss cam” scandal sent former Astronomer CEO Andy Byron packing, Kristin Cabot, the company’s Chief People Officer who was also prominently featured in the viral video, remains listed on Astronomer’s leadership page. This disparity in consequences has fueled public outcry and questions about accountability, but legal and corporate experts point to a complex web of factors that likely explain why Cabot has not yet faced the same fate as her former CEO.
Kristin Cabot, who joined Astronomer in November 2024, is still identified as the Chief People Officer on Astronomer’s official “About Us” page, a notable contrast to Andy Byron, whose name was swiftly removed following his resignation. While it has been reported that Cabot was placed on leave pending an internal investigation, her continued presence on the leadership roster suggests her employment status is far from resolved.
The primary reasons cited by legal and employment law experts for Astronomer’s cautious approach with Cabot are rooted in legal process, contractual obligations, and the complexities of corporate governance:
- Due Process and “Cause” for Termination: In a large company like Astronomer, terminating a senior executive is rarely a simple act, even in the face of “ugly headlines.” Employment lawyers emphasize that a company cannot simply fire someone based on public outrage. There needs to be a clear legal basis, or “cause,” for termination as defined by employment contracts and company policy. While a public affair with the CEO might seem like obvious “cause” to the public, proving it legally requires internal reviews, a paper trail, and careful adherence to process to avoid wrongful termination lawsuits.
- Ongoing Internal Investigation: Astronomer’s Board of Directors promptly launched a formal internal investigation into the matter after the viral video. This investigation is crucial for determining the full context of the relationship between Byron and Cabot, whether company policies were violated, and the extent of any impact on the workplace environment. Until the investigation concludes and its findings are reviewed, the company is likely hesitant to take final disciplinary action.
- Negotiated Exit vs. Firing: It’s highly probable that Astronomer and Kristin Cabot’s legal teams are currently engaged in sensitive negotiations regarding her exit. While the public might expect an immediate firing, a negotiated severance package can often be a less costly and less litigious path for a company, allowing for a quieter departure without the potential for drawn-out legal battles. Employment attorneys suggest that a Chief People Officer, by virtue of her role, would be particularly adept at negotiating such a departure.
- Role and Power Dynamics: While Byron was the CEO, the ultimate leader of the company, Cabot’s role as Chief People Officer, though highly influential, differs in its ultimate authority and public-facing responsibility. Her position is to uphold company culture and ethics, making her involvement in the scandal particularly problematic. However, the power imbalance within a CEO-CPO relationship could also introduce complexities if any claims of coercion or undue influence were to arise, though legal experts have largely dismissed sexual harassment claims unless coercion is proven.
- “More to the Story”: Some legal commentators have also noted that the viral “kiss cam” clip is brief and lacks full context. It’s plausible that Kristin Cabot’s version of events, or other mitigating factors, might emerge during the internal investigation, further complicating a straightforward termination decision.
Kristin Cabot has not made any public statements regarding the incident or her employment status. Her LinkedIn profile was reportedly deactivated following the controversy, mirroring Andy Byron’s similar actions.
As the “ColdplayGate” saga continues to unfold, Astronomer finds itself navigating a delicate balance between public pressure, legal prudence, and the need to restore trust within its own organization. The fact that Kristin Cabot remains on the leadership team is less a sign of leniency and more an indicator of the intricate and often protracted process involved in handling high-level corporate misconduct. The final decision on her future at Astronomer will undoubtedly be heavily influenced by the outcome of the ongoing internal probe and any subsequent negotiations.