Before this month, Kristin Cabot was known mainly inside HR circles. As chief people officer at Astronomer, a fast-growing data-orchestration start-up, her job rarely drew public notice. That changed when a kiss-cam at a Coldplay concert flashed a brief, intimate hug between Cabot and Astronomer CEO Andy Byron. The clip went viral, the board placed both executives on leave, and internet sleuths went looking for back-story. What they found added unexpected layers: Cabot is married to Andrew Cabot, chief executive of Privateer Rum and direct descendant of an eighteenth-century New England privateer-turned-distiller. The couple also bought a $2.2-million home in the seaside town of Rye, New Hampshire, just five months before the concert. A workplace-conduct probe now runs in parallel with a burst of curiosity about craft spirits, old maritime fortunes, and modern start-up culture.
Who is Kristin Cabot inside Astronomer
Cabot joined Astronomer in 2023 as chief people officer after a decade in HR leadership at two Boston software firms. Her remit covers recruiting, pay equity, and workplace policy. Those policies are now under the microscope because the Coldplay video raised questions about disclosure rules for relationships between top executives. Astronomer’s board has installed co-founder Pete DeJoy as acting chief while an outside law firm interviews staff.
A brief look at Privateer Rum and a 240-year family story
Privateer Rum operates from a warehouse in Ipswich, Massachusetts, but trades heavily on history. The modern label cites Andrew Cabot (1750-1791)—merchant, wartime privateer, and rum producer—as its patriarch. Today’s distillery ferments molasses in long, cool cycles, ages barrels in New England’s damp climate, and sells bottles that can top US$100 on limited release. Kristin Cabot has sat on the distillery’s advisory board since 2020, a role the company highlights in investor decks that focus on brand authenticity.
The $2.2-million Rye, New Hampshire home
In February 2025, the Cabots closed on a four-bedroom house overlooking the Atlantic. Local registry deeds put the price at $2.2 million—about 45 percent above Rye’s median listing that month. The town of 6,000 offers low property-tax rates and an hour-long commute to Boston’s venture-capital corridor, making it popular with tech executives who want coastal privacy. Real estate agents say homes above the $2 million mark make up fewer than five per cent of annual sales in the area, underscoring the purchase’s scale.
From concert clip to corporate investigation
During Coldplay’s July show at Gillette Stadium, the jumbotron caught Byron with his arms around Cabot. Singer Chris Martin joked on stage, and the video raced across social feeds. Within forty-eight hours Astronomer’s board hired outside counsel, citing “potential breach of internal relationship-disclosure policy.” Both executives were put on paid leave pending findings.
Why the fallout matters beyond company gossip
The scandal lands at a sensitive moment for both organisations. Astronomer closed a $93 million Series D in May 2025 after posting 150 percent year-over-year revenue growth. Investors typically vet leadership stability before wiring funds. At the same time, Privateer Rum is expanding distribution to 22 states and courting new capital for a barrel-warehouse build-out. Any reputational dent to the Cabot name could complicate those talks. Brand consultants say craft-spirit buyers prize authenticity, and a narrative that links historical romance with modern HR controversy could blur that image.
