Who is Humam Sakhnini? Everything to know about Jason Citron’s successor at Discord

Humam Sakhnini will become the CEO of Discord on April 28, 2025, as co-founder Jason Citron moves into a board member and advisor role after 13 years of leading the company. Citron co-founded Discord in 2012. Sakhnini brings experience as the Vice Chairman at Activision Blizzard and President of King Digital Entertainment. His appointment arrives amid reports that Discord may pursue an IPO.

Citron wrote, “Building Discord has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life”.

He said, “I look forward to scaling our business while staying true to the company's core mission”.

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Humam Sakhnini’s background combines consulting and gaming roles

Sakhnini began as a partner at McKinsey & Company for eight years, advising media and tech firms on strategy and acquisitions. In 2012, he joined Activision Blizzard as Chief Strategy and Talent Officer, later rising to Vice Chairman, where he guided franchises like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft.

From 2019 to 2022, he served as President of King Digital Entertainment, managing mobile operations and growth in public markets. His career also includes roles in finance, such as Analyst at BMO Nesbitt Burns and Director positions at Midasplayer, reflecting a blend of industry and financial insight.

He drove growth at King and Activision Blizzard

During his time at King Digital Entertainment, Humam Sakhnini oversaw the live services that delivered Candy Crush and other titles to millions of players. He guided operating income for King’s portfolio from $600 million to $1.3 billion, emphasizing global growth and monetization through in-game purchases.

At Activision Blizzard, he served as Chief Strategy and Talent Officer, helping franchises like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft adapt to evolving player expectations. Reflecting on his new role, Sakhnini said,

“Discord stands as a massive, foundational part of the gaming ecosystem that millions of players, developers, and publishers rely on every day”.

His role may guide Discord’s growth and public plans

As CEO, Humam Sakhnini will inherit discussions around a potential initial public offering, which Discord has not officially confirmed. Citron noted that hiring Sakhnini was “a step in that direction,” referring to public market preparations.

Humam Sakhnini has said he plans to work closely with co-founder Stanislav Vishnevskiy and the executive team to balance new revenue models with user trust. His focus on long-term strategy and user experience may influence decisions on premium features, moderation tools, and partnerships across the gaming and entertainment sectors. Citron highlighted that Discord has new business lines and a clear strategy for growth.

Humam Sakhnini will begin his role as Discord CEO on April 28, 2025, and Jason Citron will continue as a board member and advisor. Sakhnini’s background suggests he may balance growth initiatives with community priorities in the months ahead. His experience in franchises and live service games could guide product and monetization choices without losing user focus.

As Discord explores new revenue models and potential IPO plans, Humam Sakhnini’s approach to strategy and user trust will shape the platform’s evolution. The coming months will reveal how his leadership influences Discord’s position in gaming and digital communication.

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