AppLovin Announces Major C-Suite and Board Leadership Changes
- AppLovin Corporation has announced a series of leadership transitions affecting its executive management team and its board of directors, including the appointment of a new independent chairperson and...
- On April 7, 2026, the company announced that Craig Billings, who has served on the board since 2020 and previously acted as Lead Independent Director, has been appointed...
- This appointment follows the decision by Adam Foroughi, AppLovin’s CEO and co-founder, to step down as chairman of the board.
AppLovin Corporation has announced a series of leadership transitions affecting its executive management team and its board of directors, including the appointment of a new independent chairperson and succession plans for its chief technology and legal roles.
On April 7, 2026, the company announced that Craig Billings, who has served on the board since 2020 and previously acted as Lead Independent Director, has been appointed as the independent Chairperson of the Board of Directors.
This appointment follows the decision by Adam Foroughi, AppLovin’s CEO and co-founder, to step down as chairman of the board. Foroughi will continue to serve as the company’s CEO and will maintain his seat as a member of the board.
Foroughi stated that the change in leadership roles will allow him to fully focus on strategic execution
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Executive Management Succession
The company is also implementing a transition plan for two key C-suite positions: the Chief Technology Officer and the Chief Legal Officer.
Basil Shikin, the current Chief Technology Officer who has held the role for nearly 10 years, will transition into the role of Distinguished Engineer effective July 1, 2026. Following Shikin’s transition, Giovanni (“Gio”) Ge, currently the Chief Product and Engineering Officer, will become the next Chief Technology Officer.
In the legal department, Victoria (“Tory”) Valenzuela, the current Chief Administrative &. Legal Officer, is set to retire on August 1, 2026. Valenzuela will be nominated for election as a director at the company’s 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Upon Valenzuela’s retirement, Corina Cacovean, the current Deputy General Counsel for Privacy, Litigation & Regulatory, will assume the role of Chief Legal Officer.
Business and Strategic Context
These leadership shifts occur as AppLovin continues to develop its AI-driven advertising platform. The transitions in the product and legal leadership roles are intended to maintain continuity around the company’s AI ad platform while increasing independent oversight at the board level.
The company’s current investment narrative is tied to the ability of its AI-powered platform to attract spending across gaming and other new verticals. Key factors influencing the company’s performance include the adoption of AXON and the management of regulatory risks and platform policy changes from Apple and Google regarding data privacy.
Regarding capital management, AppLovin has engaged in significant share repurchase activity. Since 2022, the company has spent approximately US$4,591.07 million to buy back about 21.62% of its shares.
Basil and Tory have been instrumental in AppLovin’s growth. Basil led development of much of our technology stack over the nearly 10 years he was CTO. In his new role, we’ll continue to benefit from his perspective as a builder and an innovator. Tory has been a valued business partner, helping guide the Company through its IPO and a period of rapid expansion and we look forward to her presence and expertise in the boardroom
Adam Foroughi, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder