Deel’s Communications Chief Resigns Amid Rippling Spying Lawsuit

Elisabeth Diana, Deel’s Head of Communications, exits company amid allegations of corporate espionage involving rival Rippling. Here’s what’s happening.

Introduction

The head of communications at global HR tech company Deel, Elisabeth Diana, has abruptly exited the company — just days after Deel was accused of corporate espionage by rival firm Rippling.

According to Bloomberg, which broke the story, Diana’s departure comes at a time when Deel faces mounting legal and reputational pressure in the wake of the lawsuit.

What Happened?

• Rippling has filed a lawsuit accusing Deel of planting a spy within its organization.

• The lawsuit alleges that an individual hired by Rippling was secretly working for Deel, feeding it confidential information.

• Deel has denied any wrongdoing, but the case has already drawn massive attention across Silicon Valley.

Now, the sudden resignation of Elisabeth Diana — who held a high-visibility role as Deel’s communications chief — is adding fuel to the fire.

Who Is Elisabeth Diana?

Elisabeth Diana joined Deel after previously serving in prominent roles at Facebook (Meta) and other tech giants. At Deel, she led:

• Corporate messaging

• Crisis communications

• Media relations

• Thought leadership campaigns

Her departure was not formally announced by Deel but was confirmed via her LinkedIn profile, which now shows that her tenure ended in April 2025.

The Lawsuit: Rippling vs Deel

Here’s what we know so far:

• Plaintiff: Rippling, a San Francisco-based HR software company

• Defendant: Deel, its fast-growing global rival

• Allegation: Deel covertly placed a spy within Rippling’s workforce

• Damages: Rippling claims loss of proprietary data, competitive harm, and reputational damage

• Status: The case is active, and Deel has been served

Rippling is pursuing legal and possibly criminal action, depending on the court findings.

What This Means for Deel

This lawsuit — and the accompanying executive shakeup — is a PR nightmare for Deel, which:

• Raised over $677M in funding

• Operates in 150+ countries

• Was recently valued at nearly $12 billion

The company has prided itself on compliance, ethics, and transparency — all of which are now under scrutiny.

No Comment Yet

At the time of writing:

• Deel has not issued a public statement regarding Diana’s departure

• Diana has not responded to TechCrunch’s request for comment

• It’s unclear whether she resigned or was asked to step down

Industry Reaction

The startup and investor communities are watching closely:

• Some speculate Diana’s exit may signal more leadership fallout

• Others believe the resignation is a strategic move to manage PR

• Legal experts say this could lead to more aggressive litigation tactics by Rippling

Bigger Picture: A Brutal Battle for HR Tech

Deel and Rippling have long been intense competitors in the fast-growing HR software space. Both offer:

• Global payroll & benefits

• Remote employee management

• Compliance tools

• Automated onboarding

But with this lawsuit, the rivalry has turned from competitive to combative — and potentially criminal.

Brand Impact

What this means for Deel:

Final Thoughts

Elisabeth Diana’s departure couldn’t come at a worse time for Deel. As the company tries to defend itself against serious legal accusations, losing the head of comms raises serious concerns.

Whether this was a strategic exit or a fallout from the ongoing case, one thing is clear: the drama between Deel and Rippling is far from over — and the entire tech world is watching.

Stay tuned as we track this high-stakes legal battle.