Apple faces leadership shakeup as policy chief departs
What's the story
Apple has announced a series of major executive changes, including the retirement of its environmental and policy lead, Lisa Jackson. The company said Jackson, who is also the vice president for Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives at Apple, will retire in late January 2026. The announcement comes after a string of high-profile departures from the tech giant's top management.
Leadership transition
Jennifer Newstead to replace Kate Adams as Apple's general counsel
Along with Jackson's retirement, Apple also announced that Jennifer Newstead will take over from Kate Adams as the company's general counsel. Adams is set to retire late next year. Newstead is currently Meta's chief legal officer and will assume her new role at Apple on March 1, 2026. This change comes after a series of other high-profile departures from Apple's top management team.
Restructuring plans
Apple's organizational shifts amid executive changes
With Jackson's retirement and Newstead's appointment, Apple is also making some organizational changes. The Government Affairs organization will be led by Adams until her retirement late next year, after which it will be headed by Newstead. Her title will change to Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Government Affairs. Meanwhile, the Environment and Social Initiatives teams will now report to Sabih Khan, Apple's new COO.
Career highlights
Lisa Jackson's legacy at Apple and beyond
Before joining Apple in 2013, Jackson was the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under President Obama. She became Apple's policy lead in 2015. Adams joined Apple in 2017 after a long tenure at Honeywell. These executive changes mark a significant shift in Apple's leadership landscape as it prepares for the future with new faces at the helm of key departments.