Deel’s comms chief departs amidst spying lawsuit from Rippling

Deel Communications Lead Elisabeth Diana Departs Amidst Corporate Espionage Allegations

Elisabeth Diana, previously the head of communications at human resources platform Deel, has reportedly left the company, according to her updated LinkedIn profile. This departure occurs amidst ongoing legal disputes and allegations of corporate espionage involving Deel and rival firm Rippling, placing scrutiny on the HR technology sector.

Departure Follows Rippling Lawsuit and Espionage Accusations

News of Diana’s resignation from Deel was initially reported by Bloomberg. Her exit coincides with accusations against Deel, including claims of deploying an operative to infiltrate competitor Rippling. These serious allegations have cast a shadow over Deel’s operations and reputation within the competitive landscape of workforce management solutions.

Diana’s Tenure at Deel and Prior Roles

Diana’s LinkedIn profile indicates her tenure at Deel, where CEO Alex Bouaziz leads, spanned from November 2021 to April 2025. Prior to joining the HR tech firm, she held prominent communications positions, including head of communications at Instagram and corporate head of communications at Facebook. TechCrunch sought comment from Diana but had not received a response by press time.

Official Statement from Deel

Deel issued a brief statement acknowledging Diana’s departure: “We appreciate Elisabeth’s contributions during her time at Deel and wish her well in her future endeavors.” This statement offers minimal detail regarding the circumstances surrounding her exit.

Rippling’s Racketeering Lawsuit Accuses Deel of Corporate Spying

Rippling, a workforce management platform, initiated legal action against Deel on March 17. The lawsuit alleges corporate espionage and includes serious charges such as violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), a statute often employed in cases against organized crime. Additional accusations include misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair competition, escalating the legal battle between the two tech companies.

Affidavit Deepens Espionage Claims

Further details emerged on April 2 when Rippling publicly released an affidavit from Keith O’Brien, the employee at the center of the espionage allegations. O’Brien’s sworn statement appeared to corroborate Rippling’s accusations, adding weight to the claims of corporate malfeasance.

Espionage Narrative Resembles Corporate Thriller

O’Brien’s account, presented in the legal documents, portrays a scenario akin to a corporate espionage thriller. It details alleged clandestine operations, including what has been described as a sting operation, and an incident involving a purportedly destroyed mobile phone. The narrative has captured significant attention due to its dramatic nature.

Deel’s $12.6 Billion Valuation and Future Uncertainty

The lawsuit and associated allegations raise questions about the future trajectory of Deel, which was last valued at $12.6 billion. The startup, backed by prominent investors including General Catalyst, Andreessen Horowitz, Spark Capital, and Y Combinator, was reportedly considering entering the public markets just months prior to these developments. The unfolding situation may impact these plans.

Deel Denies Wrongdoing and Accuses Rippling of Sanctions Violations

In response to Rippling’s lawsuit, Deel issued a statement refuting “all legal wrongdoing.” The company counter-claims that Rippling is attempting to “distract” from its own alleged violations of Russian sanctions. Adding a further layer of complexity, O’Brien later stated that Deel executives pressured him to falsely implicate Rippling in facilitating payments to Russia, statements he allegedly knew to be untrue at the time.