Discord Appoints Humam Sakhnini as CEO, Ushering in New Era

Discord has announced the appointment of Humam Sakhnini, a former executive at Activision Blizzard, as its new CEO. The move signals a strategic shift for the popular communication platform as it seeks to navigate evolving market dynamics and pursue ambitious growth initiatives. Sakhnini officially took the helm on April 22, 2025, succeeding Jason Citron, who will transition to the role of Chief Product Officer (CPO) to focus on product strategy and development.

Sakhnini brings a wealth of experience to Discord, having served in various leadership roles at Activision Blizzard over a 12-year tenure. Most recently, he was the President of King, Activision Blizzard’s mobile gaming division responsible for the highly successful Candy Crush franchise. His expertise in scaling gaming platforms and driving user engagement is expected to be instrumental in Discord’s next phase of growth.

“Humam’s track record in the gaming industry and his understanding of building vibrant online communities make him the ideal leader for Discord,” said Jason Citron in a statement. “I am excited to partner with him to continue innovating and enhancing the Discord experience for our users.”

Citron’s transition to CPO allows him to dedicate his efforts to the core product, which has become increasingly complex as Discord expands beyond its initial focus on gaming. The platform now serves diverse communities, including study groups, creative collaborations, and professional networks. This shift aims to ensure Discord remains user-centric while exploring new features and functionalities.

“Discord’s impact on online communication is undeniable, and I am honored to join the team at such a pivotal time,” said Sakhnini. “I look forward to working with Jason and the entire Discord team to build an even more engaging and inclusive platform for communities around the world.”

The appointment comes as Discord faces increased competition from other communication platforms and seeks to monetize its user base more effectively. Sakhnini’s experience in driving revenue growth at King will be valuable as Discord explores subscription models, partnerships, and other monetization strategies.

Industry analysts view the leadership change positively, noting Sakhnini’s proven ability to scale online platforms and drive user engagement. “Discord has the potential to become the leading communication platform for the metaverse,” said Emily Carter, a senior analyst at TechInsights. “Sakhnini’s appointment signals Discord’s commitment to realizing that vision.”

The company plans to introduce new features aimed at enhancing user experience and community building in the coming months. Details of these initiatives are expected to be unveiled at Discord’s annual developer conference in June.