Discord is officially entering a new chapter as the company prepares for a potential move toward becoming a public company. In a surprising but strategic shift, Discord announced that co-founder and CEO Jason Citron is stepping down. His replacement? Former Activision Blizzard and King executive Humam Sakhnini, a veteran in the gaming and tech industry.
Citron, who helped build Discord into a global communications giant with over 200 million monthly users, will remain on the company’s board of directors and continue contributing as an advisor. In his official statement, Citron emphasized that Discord’s needs are evolving—and to lead it into its next era, a new kind of leadership is required.
Sakhnini brings more than a decade of high-level experience to the role. As a former president at King (best known for Candy Crush) and vice chairman at Activision Blizzard, he oversaw financial and strategic operations for several of the gaming world’s most successful franchises. His hiring is a clear sign that Discord is not only eyeing long-term growth but is also serious about going public.
This move follows months of speculation about Discord’s IPO ambitions. While no official date has been announced, bringing in someone with Sakhnini’s financial and operational expertise points directly toward preparing the company for a public offering.
With this leadership shake-up, Discord aims to solidify its place not just as a gamer-focused platform, but as a broader cultural and communications hub ready for Wall Street.
