Leadership Update: A Letter from Fidji Simo

Outgoing CEO Fidji Simo shared the email below with Instacart employees this morning. You can read it in full here:

Hi Team,

I’m excited to share that Chris Rogers will become Instacart’s next CEO, effective August 15. I will continue working closely with Chris and the entire leadership team to support a smooth transition in the months ahead, and will remain Chair of the Board.

We chose Chris because the company needs a leader who understands all our partners deeply, has immense operational experience, and can mobilize teams around our vision. Chris knows this company. He helped shape it. And I know Chris will carry our mission forward with conviction, care, and ambition. I couldn’t be more excited for him to step into the role of CEO and lead Instacart’s next phase of growth. 

Chris has been with Instacart for nearly six years and has played a critical role in shaping who we are today. Because everything we do is in partnership with our retail and brand partners, there isn’t a single thing we’ve done in the last few years that Chris hasn’t had his fingerprints on. From our retail enablement strategy and omnichannel expansion to the massive growth and evolution of our advertising platform, Chris has been a driving force behind all of these initiatives.

I’ve been in more meetings than I can count with him and have seen firsthand his embodiment of our “grow the pie” mentality. His work ethic is second to none, and his instincts and ability to make tough decisions — and get them right, consistently — are exceptional. He always does the right thing even when no one is looking, making sure we do what’s in the best interest of our partners, customers, shoppers, and teams at every turn. That’s the hallmark of great CEOs. Plus, he’s got the patience of a saint (truly!), he is beloved by everyone who works with him, and he deeply understands the opportunity we have to invent the future of grocery together with our partners. 

One of the things I’m most proud of is the exceptional leadership team we’ve built. This is a group that’s come together and consistently delivered through some of our company’s most pivotal milestones, from the pandemic and its aftermath, to our IPO, to scaling our ads and enterprise offerings, to expanding into new verticals like Restaurants and long-term bets like Connected Stores. I know the company is in good hands with their continuity, expertise, and shared vision.

As CEO, my focus has been on building a generational company — one that not only delivers results but truly endures and provides an essential service to millions of people. I truly believe Instacart is still just getting started, and I couldn’t be more confident in Chris and this team’s ability to take us even higher.

Please join me in congratulating Chris on this well-deserved new role. Chris and I are looking forward to sharing more and answering your questions at the Town Hall tomorrow morning.

Fidji.