Blender celebrates its 32nd anniversary with a major leadership transition
Blender, the world-renowned free and open-source 3D creation software, has marked its 32nd anniversary with a significant milestone in its history. The Blender Foundation has officially confirmed that its Founder and long-time CEO, Ton Roosendaal, has stepped down from his role as head of the organization.
The announcement, first revealed during the Blender Conference keynote in September 2025, has now been reaffirmed as the software celebrates more than three decades of innovation. Roosendaal, who has been preparing for this leadership transition since 2019, has handed over the reins to Francesco Siddi, former Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Blender Foundation, who now assumes the role of CEO.
Under the new leadership structure, the Blender Foundation’s board will include:
- Sergey Sharybin, Head of Development
- Dalai Felinto, Head of Product
- Fiona Cohen, newly appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Meanwhile, Ton Roosendaal will continue to remain closely associated with the organization by joining Blender’s newly formed Supervisory Board, ensuring continuity of vision and guidance.
Commenting on the transition, the new executive team emphasized that Blender’s mission remains unchanged.
“As the Blender project continues to grow, some evolution is natural, but our core values and commitment to the mission remain unchanged: putting the best 3D technology in the hands of artists as free and open source software,” the team stated.
“We are excited to embark on this journey together, and we wish everyone in the Blender community a great 2026!”
Founded in 1994, Blender has grown from a niche 3D tool into a global platform used by artists, studios, educators, and developers worldwide. This leadership change marks a new chapter for Blender as it continues to expand its influence while staying true to its open-source roots.