Away co-founder Jen Rubio and Slack co-founder Stewart Butterfield are separating after six years of marriage. They say the $215 million foundation, investments, businesses, and philanthropic commitments they built together will continue.
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“A divorce between two technology founders is particularly complex because each spouse may hold separate ownership interests in high-growth companies, requiring valuations of complex equity structures and illiquid business interests,” Jackie Combs, a matrimonial attorney at Blank Rome, told Inc.
Those negotiations can involve vesting schedules, intellectual property, future appreciation, and concerns from investors or board members if ownership or management disputes emerge, she said.
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“Assets previously donated to irrevocable donor-advised funds, private foundations, or charitable organizations are generally not subject to division in divorce proceedings, as they are no longer part of the marital estate,” Combs said.
But control and future obligations can still be negotiated.
“Pledged but unpaid donations, investment strategies, tax benefits, and control over private foundation governance, including board positions, remain subject to settlement negotiations,” she told Inc.
A donor-advised fund can be divided into separate accounts, she said, while a private foundation can be restructured by changing its governance or dividing assets between two entities.
“In any divorce settlement, it is important to address philanthropic assets, including the allocation of ownership, control and management responsibilities, and future charitable commitments,” Combs said.
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“Valuing art and unique luxury properties can be complex due to their subjective and fluctuating market values,” Combs said.
Jointly controlled entities can continue after a marriage ends, she added, but their management and control should be addressed in a settlement “to avoid future disputes.”
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“Jen Rubio and Stewart Butterfield Are Separating. They Say Their $215 Million Foundation Will Continue,” by Georgia Fearn, was published in Inc. on August 6, 2026.