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Facebook's head of PR leaves amid ongoing crises

Caryn Marooney is departing at a tough time for the social network.

Facebook is seemingly bouncing from crisis to crisis. It might not be happy, then, that the company's leading communications exec is heading for the exit. Recode has learned that Technology Communications VP Caryn Marooney (pictured at right) is leaving Facebook after eight years at the company. There's no mention of why Marooney is leaving, although she painted it as an amicable departure. "I have more faith in Facebook than ever," she said.

She'll stay on at the company until a replacement is available.

This isn't the first big upheaval in Facebook's public relations universe. Among other departures, its policy and comms lead Elliot Schrage left in 2018 with UK politician Nick Clegg eventually filling his shoes. However, Marooney's decision doesn't really help matters. She oversees communications for many key products, including Instagram and WhatsApp -- Facebook may soon have to navigate privacy debacles, election integrity efforts and other challenges with a fresh face at the helm.