YouTube CEO, Susan Wojcicki has decided to step down from her role, twenty-five years after joining Google as its first marketing manager.
In a note that was sent to employees, on Thursday morning, she said she wanted to start a new chapter focused on family, health, and personal projects she is passionate about. Stepping into the role to replace her will be current Chief Product Officer, Neal Mohan,
“The time is right for me, and I feel able to do this because we have an incredible leadership team in place at YouTube. When I joined YouTube nine years ago, one of my first priorities was bringing in an incredible leadership team. Neal Mohan was one of those leaders, and he’ll be the SVP and new head of YouTube,” she said.
“I’ve spent nearly 15 years of my career working with Neal, first when he came over to Google with the DoubleClick acquisition in 2007 and as his role grew to become SVP of Display and Video Ads. He became YouTube’s Chief Product Officer in 2015.
“Since then, he has set up a top-notch product and UX team, played pivotal roles in the launch of some of our biggest products, including YouTube TV, YouTube Music and Premium and Shorts, and has led our Trust and Safety team, ensuring that YouTube lives up to its responsibility as a global platform. He has a wonderful sense for our product, our business, our creator and user communities, and our employees.”
Wojcicki has been integral to the success of the organisation in many ways, over the years, her career spanning a time that has seen rapid change in the way people interact with and consume digital media. She managed marketing, co-created Google Image Search, led Google’s first Video and Book search, as well as early parts of AdSense’s creation, worked on the YouTube and DoubleClick acquisitions, and served as SVP of Ads.
“I took on each challenge that came my way because it had a mission that benefited so many people’s lives around the world: finding information, telling stories and supporting creators, artists, and small businesses. I’m so proud of everything we’ve achieved. It’s been exhilarating, meaningful, and all-consuming,” she added.
