In a major leadership change that’s shaking up the tech and gaming world, Humam Sakhnini, the former Vice Chairman of Activision Blizzard, has been named the new CEO of Discord. This move comes as Jason Citron, who co-founded Discord in 2012, officially steps down after leading the company for over a decade.
Citron’s departure marks the end of an era, but with Sakhnini now at the helm, Discord seems poised for a bold new chapter—especially as rumors swirl about a possible IPO in the near future.
From Activision to Discord: Sakhnini’s Gaming Legacy
Humam Sakhnini is no stranger to the gaming world. During his time at Activision Blizzard, he played a central role in managing some of the biggest franchises in entertainment, including:
- Call of Duty
- World of Warcraft
- Candy Crush
He also served as President of King Digital Entertainment, the studio behind Candy Crush, where he oversaw the growth of its mobile gaming empire. With a track record of handling multi-billion dollar portfolios and building global gaming brands, Sakhnini brings heavyweight experience to Discord.
His leadership at Activision helped Call of Duty evolve into one of the most successful franchises in gaming history. Now, as he steps into his new role, he’s expected to guide Discord with the same level of innovation and strategic vision.
What’s Next for Discord Under Sakhnini?
Discord began in 2012 as a voice-chat tool for gamers, but it has since become one of the most popular communication platforms in the world, expanding into education, music, creator communities, and more. With over 150 million monthly users, Discord is a massive player in online communication—and Sakhnini’s arrival signals that even bigger things may be on the horizon.
Rumors are already swirling about a possible Discord IPO, although nothing has been officially confirmed. If the company does go public, Sakhnini’s corporate experience could be a major asset in guiding the platform through such a massive transition.
Jason Citron, in his farewell message on X (formerly Twitter), wrote:
“Building Discord has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding experiences of my life… I’ll be transitioning to a new role as Board Member and Advisor, and continuing to support Discord through this next chapter.”
Citron’s continued involvement as an advisor ensures continuity, while Sakhnini steps in to lead a company that’s rapidly growing beyond its gaming roots.
