#United States #San Francisco #Discord #Humam Sakhnini #Jason Citron

Discord Appoints Humam Sakhnini as New CEO

In a bold move that signifies another chapter in the evolution of Discord, the company has announced the appointment of Humam Sakhnini as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective from April 28, 2025. This transition comes at a time when Discord is re-establishing its commitment to the gaming community, which is already the cornerstone of its platform.

Leadership Transition

Jason Citron, who co-founded Discord with Stanislav Vishnevskiy, has served as its CEO since the inception of the company. He will remain on the Board of Directors and will transition into a role as an advisor to the new CEO. This strategic transition not only injects fresh leadership into Discord but also ensures that Citron’s vision continues to guide the company as it moves forward.

Humam Sakhnini is no stranger to the gaming industry, boasting over 15 years of experience. He previously held the position of Vice Chairman at Activision Blizzard, where he successfully managed an impressive multi-billion dollar portfolio that included popular franchises like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush. His prior experience as President of King Digital Entertainment also resulted in notable successes post its acquisition by Activision Blizzard.

As Discord enjoys a thriving community of over 200 million monthly active users, the platform has recently redirected its focus back to gaming. In 2024, Discord began exploring additional revenue streams beyond its core subscription model, including advertising and microtransactions while further enhancing the social infrastructure available to game developers.

Momentum in Gaming

The recent developments come on the heels of significant product advancements and sustained financial growth, with Discord achieving continued revenue increases and positive adjusted EBITDA over the past five quarters. Citron’s enthusiastic endorsement of Sakhnini highlights a shared vision for the future, emphasizing the importance of friendships and shared gaming experiences.

Quotes from pivotal figures within and connected to the organization reflect optimism about this new phase. Citron stated, “It's a mission I've dedicated my career to, and I'm confident that passing the torch to Humam is the right evolution for Discord's future.”

Mitch Lasky, another Board member, expressed his excitement by stating, “I’ve known our incoming CEO Humam Sakhnini for many years, and I believe he is the ideal leader for this new phase of Discord's history,” further underscoring Sakhnini’s familiar strengths and skills that align with Discord’s expanding goals.

Looking to the Future

As the incoming CEO, Humam Sakhnini expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Discord stands as a massive, foundational part of the gaming ecosystem that millions of players, developers, and publishers rely on every day.” His commitment to scaling Discord while staying true to its core mission indicates a promising direction for the platform.

In summary, Discord is not just undergoing a leadership change; it is embarking on a renewed journey to reinforce its position as a leader in the gaming community. With Humam Sakhnini at the helm and Jason Citron’s continued guidance, the platform is expected to evolve while remaining integral to gamers worldwide. Discord remains a powerful tool for connection and interaction, with a bright future ahead in gaming and beyond.

Conclusion

As the gaming landscape continues to evolve rapidly, the positive trajectory of Discord under Sakhnini's leadership holds the potential to redefine how gamers connect and share their experiences. There are exciting times ahead for Discord as it stands poised to meet the diverse needs of its community and continue fostering the connections that make gaming so unique.