Big Changes at Discord – Jason Citron Hands Over the Reins to Humam Sakhnini

Jason Citron, co-founder and CEO of Discord, is stepping down after leading the company since its launch in 2015. Citron will remain on the company’s board and continue advising the new CEO, Humam Sakhnini.

Sakhnini, who has 15+ years in the gaming industry, takes the reins at a time when Discord is preparing for a potential public offering. He was previously vice chair at Activision Blizzard, where he helped oversee the company’s $69 billion acquisition by Microsoft in 2023. His expertise in handling large companies positions him well to lead Discord through its next phase of growth.

Jason Citron’s decision to step down isn’t about stepping away from the company entirely. Rather, it’s a recognition that Discord is entering a new phase where it needs a different kind of leadership. “I’m more of a builder, an early-stage kind of guy,” Jason Citron shared, explaining that he’s passionate about starting things from scratch but feels that bringing in someone with Sakhnini’s experience is key to Discord’s continued growth. Citron sees this leadership change as a step in the right direction as the company looks to go public.

Discord, which started out as a platform designed to help gamers communicate while playing, now has more than 200 million users worldwide. The app gained serious traction during the pandemic, becoming a lifeline for people seeking virtual connections, especially among gaming communities. Today, it’s much more than just a chat app—it’s a place for everything from casual chats to creative collaborations.

With the prospect of going public, Discord has grown both in terms of user base and revenue. In addition to its premium subscription service, the company has been finding new ways to generate revenue through advertising and in-app purchases, like microtransactions. Still, Jason Citron, known for his hands-on, startup mindset, said he was ready to hand over the reins to someone who can manage the complexities of a large company and prepare it for the pressures of being publicly traded.

Even though Jason Citron is stepping down as CEO, he’s not disappearing from the company. He’ll continue to advise Sakhnini as part of the board and remain involved in shaping Discord’s future. For Sakhnini, the transition presents a new set of challenges, but his extensive experience in the gaming world gives him the tools to lead Discord into this exciting, yet uncertain, next phase.

Discord’s journey hasn’t been without its bumps. In 2023, Jason Citron testified in front of Congress about online safety, discussing the company’s efforts to improve security and ensure a safer environment for users. As the platform continues to grow and evolve, balancing safety with its core appeal—being a casual, fun, and open space for users—will remain a key focus for the company under Sakhnini’s leadership.

For More: Grok 2.0? Elon Musk’s AI Bot Is No Longer Just a Chatbot