Charles Esther
Jason Citron, cofounder and CEO of the popular messaging platform Discord, has announced he is stepping down from his role as the company’s chief executive.
In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Citron said he will transition into a new role as a board member and advisor, continuing to support Discord in a less hands-on capacity.
A New Chapter for Discord Begins
Citron’s departure marks a significant leadership shift for Discord.
The company announced that Humam Sakhnini, former vice chairman of gaming giant Activision Blizzard, will officially take over as CEO on April 28.
Sakhnini brings extensive experience in the gaming and entertainment industry, positioning him well to guide Discord’s next stage of growth.
Why Citron Is Stepping Away
In an interview with VentureBeat, Citron, now 40, explained that his decision comes from a desire to pass the baton to someone better suited for scaling Discord in the coming years.
“As you know, I’m more of a builder, an early-stage kind of guy,” Citron said.
He reflected on his leadership journey, saying the role of a CEO is constantly evolving, and he’s reached a point where “it’s time for me to literally hire myself out of a job.”
Gaming and Family Time on the Horizon
Citron doesn’t have rigid plans for life after stepping down, but he does plan to spend more time with his family—and with his long-neglected video game backlog.
“I need to finish Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. I have a backlog. I want to play Blue Prince.
Ihaven’t even played Baldur’s Gate III, believe it or not,” he said.
The titles he mentioned are some of the most talked-about games in recent years, especially Baldur’s Gate III, which was released in 2023 to critical acclaim.
The Legacy Citron Leaves Behind
Citron cofounded Discord in 2015 with Stanislav Vishnevskiy.
What began as a niche chat app for gamers has grown into a massive social platform used by communities of all kinds—creators, students, developers, and businesses.
Under Citron’s leadership, Discord became one of the most influential communication platforms of the modern internet.
A Rare Move Among Tech Founders
Citron’s decision to step down sets him apart from many of his peers.
Mark Zuckerberg still leads Meta, and Evan Spiegel remains at the helm of Snapchat.
Citron, however, has chosen to step aside to make room for fresh leadership while he refocuses on personal priorities and passion projects.
What’s Next for Discord?
With Humam Sakhnini taking the lead, Discord is expected to continue expanding its presence in gaming and beyond.
Sakhnini’s background suggests a strong focus on partnerships, content strategy, and perhaps deeper integrations in the gaming ecosystem.
Meanwhile, Citron remains in the wings, ready to advise and support.
Conclusion
Jason Citron’s decision to step down marks the end of a transformative era for Discord—but not the end of his influence.
With a seasoned leader stepping in and Citron still involved at the board level, Discord appears well-positioned for continued innovation and growth.
