Discord gets a gamer-in-chief: Humam Sakhnini appointed as CEO amid IPO preparations

Discord CEO and cofounder Jason Citron steps down

More than a decade later after founding the game-changing social media platform Discord, its founder is stepping down. Former Activision Blizzard Vice Chairman, Humam Sakhini, will take over as the new CEO.

Amid speculation about a potential IPO, appointment of a new CEO from gaming industry signals a strategic shift toward its roots towards gaming from the social networking platform.

Founded in 2015 as a way for friends to chat while gaming, Discord has since evolved into a major social platform with a user base exceeding 200 million monthly active users. What began as a niche tool for multiplayer gamers has grown into a digital space where communities of all kinds connect and communicate.

Citron parting ways with Discord and Sakhnini will be entrusted with guiding Discord towards the next levels in the world of tech and gaming.

From Call of Duty to Candy Crush: Who's Humam Sakhini 

The new CEO is no stranger to the gaming world. Humam Sakhnini played a key role in turning Call of Duty into a global phenomenon, helping shape it into one of the most successful franchises in gaming history.

With over 15 years of industry experience, Sakhnini most recently served as Vice Chairman at Activision Blizzard, where he oversaw a multi-billion-dollar portfolio that included major titles like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush.

Sakhnini was also the President of King Digital Entertainment before his days at Activision.

Jason Citron passes the torchlight 

Jason Citron, Discord’s founder and outgoing CEO, will continue to stay involved with the company as an advisor and board member. He expressed his confidence in Humam Sakhnini, who will now be stepping into the leadership role. Citron thanked the Discord community and team, reflecting on the journey so far and looking ahead to the platform’s next chapter.

"Building Discord has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding experiences of my life. What started as a simple idea—to help friends talk while playing games—has grown into something far bigger than I ever imagined," he said in his X post.

Today Im excited to share that Humam Sakhnini will be joining @discord as our new CEO.Building Discord has been one of the most meaningful and rewarding experiences of my life. What started as a simple ideato help friends talk while playing gameshas grown into something far
Jason Citron (@jasoncitron) April 23, 2025

About Discord 

Launched in 2015 by Jason Citron and Stanislav Vishnevskiy, Discord quickly became a game-changer in the world of social communication. Initially created to provide real-time voice and text chat for gamers, Discord allowed users to create their own private "servers" — customizable hubs where members can chat, collaborate, share news, or host video calls.

Discord's growth skyrocketed during the pandemic, as gaming surged in popularity and more people turned to the platform for connection. In 2021, the company had discussions with Microsoft about a potential $10 billion acquisition, though a deal never materialized.

Beyond gaming, Discord has expanded its focus, with Citron even testifying before Congress on online child safety, alongside executives from Meta, TikTok, and X. While the platform's premium subscription remains its main revenue stream, Discord has also tapped into advertising and microtransactions, further diversifying its income as it continues to evolve.