Atlassian's power behind the throne: Amy Glancey's rise as Cannon-Brookes' gatekeeper

In Australia, Atlassian, once a fun and friendly tech giant, saw its culture turn toxic by 2021, according to the book 'Tech Bros'. Employees quit to preserve mental health. Co-founders Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar's partnership strained, and Cannon-Brookes' chief of staff, Amy Glancey, became an influential figure, described as the 'guard at the doors of the castle'. Glancey organized a $2,000-a-head dinner in Las Vegas. By 2021, Cannon-Brookes' wife Annie was reportedly out of the inner circle. Farquhar later stepped back, leaving Cannon-Brookes as sole CEO, and profits shrank with AI's rise.

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Published Aug 15, 2026

business corporations

Briefly

Atlassian's once fun culture turned toxic by 2021, with employees quitting for mental health.
Amy Glancey, Cannon-Brookes' chief of staff, became a powerful gatekeeper with access to secrets.
Cannon-Brookes and Farquhar's partnership strained, leading to Farquhar stepping back as co-CEO.

What happened

Atlassian, once celebrated as a fun and friendly corporate giant in Australia's tech industry, experienced a dramatic cultural shift that turned toxic by around 2021, according to the book 'Tech Bros' by journalists from The Australian. The company, known for its project management software like Jira and Confluence, had built a reputation for its open culture and Friday 'beer bicycle' traditions, but employees began quitting to preserve their mental health as the atmosphere deteriorated. The book details how co-founders Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar, once friends, saw their professional partnership strain, with a rift growing between them. Amid this turmoil, Amy Glancey, Cannon-Brookes' chief of staff, emerged as a central figure, described by a former employee as 'the guard at the doors of the castle... who has all the secrets.' Glancey's influence extended to organizing a $2,000-a-head dinner for her team during an Atlassian event in Las Vegas, highlighting her privileged position. The book also alleges that Glancey and another executive, Stirling, exchanged messages about what to wear in front of Cannon-Brookes' wife, Annie, with one suggestion being something 'really f***able.' By 2021, Annie Cannon-Brookes was reportedly no longer in the inner circle, having gone through a trial separation with her husband. The professional partnership between Farquhar and Cannon-Brookes also deteriorated, leading to Farquhar stepping back from his CEO role, leaving Cannon-Brookes as sole CEO. Since then, company profits have shrunk with the rise of artificial intelligence in the tech world. In February 2026, Atlassian posted a promotional video on Instagram with a rallying cry: 'Team Atlassian '26 – it's time to rewrite the rules of teamwork,' but the book suggests the team spirit is no longer there, quoting a Slack message from December 2025 that described the culture as 'a gladiator sport,' which is not conducive to great work. The book paints a picture of a company that lost its way, with internal conflicts and cultural issues overshadowing its earlier success.

Written byMestios Reporter

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Mike Cannon-Brookes Scott Farquhar

Source

The Atlassian 'velvet vixen' who 'has all the secrets': How Amy Glancey became Mike Cannon-Brookes' closest confidante as his marriage faltered and a rift grew with co-founder Scott Farquhar

As Mike Cannon-Brookes' marriage and partnership with Scott Farquhar came under strain, chief of staff Amy Glancey emerged as an increasingly influential figure behind the scenes.

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