After more than 13 years of helping to build Greenhouse from the ground up, my co-founder and friend Jon Stross has made the decision to retire from his full-time role at the company. While Jon is stepping back from day-to-day work, he’ll remain connected to Greenhouse as an advisor.



‍

A personal and well-thought-out decision

This is Jon’s personal decision that he and I have talked about for some time. If you’ve worked with him, you know that Jon doesn’t do anything impulsively. He approaches big decisions with intention, thoughtfulness and a deep sense of responsibility for the people they affect. That’s why we’ve been planning for this moment together – ensuring Greenhouse is in the right place, with the right leadership and momentum, so Jon can step away feeling confident and proud.

And wow, there is a lot to be proud of!

‍
An incredible founder 



There are a thousand memories I could share about working with Jon. I still remember standing next to him at our very first Greenhouse OPEN and marveling that the community actually showed up.  Over the years, we’ve navigated product launches, company milestones and even industry turning points, all while Greenhouse evolved from a scrappy startup into the leader of a category we helped define. 

But what sticks with me most isn’t just the milestones. It’s Jon’s way of thinking. He has this uncanny ability to filter through noise and find clarity in complexity, always zeroing in on the essential insight hiding beneath a mess of feedback. This skill, combined with his creativity and relentless curiosity, has shaped the Greenhouse product in ways most people will never fully see.

From pioneering structured hiring to designing equitable candidate experiences and launching MyGreenhouse, Jon’s vision is everywhere in our product. He has a unique ability to understand customer pain points and then solve them creatively, which has made a lasting impact on how we help our customers hire. 

‍
A lasting culture 

Jon has always said that one of his proudest achievements is building a company where people can do the best work of their careers. He’s helped shape a culture that values inclusion, encourages growth and attracts people who deeply care about what they do. That didn’t happen by chance – it’s something Jon intentionally nurtured from the very beginning.

And it’s part of a broader philosophy we’ve always shared: to build something that lasts. Not just a product or a business, but a company with staying power. Jon once told me how meaningful it was that BabyCenter, a company he helped build long before Greenhouse, is still serving millions of parents decades later. That stuck with me, and this future-focused thinking is part of what’s made Greenhouse what it is.


‍
We’re excited for him and confident in what’s next

Personally, I’m thrilled for Jon and his family. He’s entering a new chapter – time to recharge, be with family, and explore what’s next. As Jon’s dad, a tennis player with a dry sense of humor, once said: “The most important thing in tennis is to win the last point.” Well, Jon has done exactly that – he’s leaving on top.

Professionally, I feel calm and ready. After over 13 years of working together, I’ve learned so much from Jon’s approach to building, leading and listening. (And I’ve jokingly already asked him to train an AI “StrossBot” on the way out the door, just in case).

So what’s next for Greenhouse? What we’ve always done – solving real hiring challenges, building with care and helping great companies grow. 

Jon helped lay the groundwork. And now, we’ll keep building on it.

Thank you, Jon – for everything.