Apple is undergoing a significant leadership transition with the announcement that two key executives will be leaving the company: Katherine Adams, the Senior Vice President and General Counsel, and Lisa Jackson, Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives. This move follows a series of high-profile departures at the tech giant, reflecting a pivotal moment in Apple’s executive landscape.
In a press release, Apple shared that Lisa Jackson plans to retire in late January 2026, while Adams will step down in late 2026. To fill the gap left by these departures, Jennifer Newstead will join Apple as general counsel starting March 1, 2026. Newstead is an experienced attorney, previously serving as the legal adviser to the U.S. Department of State and most recently as the chief legal officer for Meta.
As part of the restructuring, Jackson’s Government Affairs organization will transition to Adams, who will oversee the team until her retirement. After Adams’ departure, Newstead will take over both the General Counsel and Government Affairs roles. Meanwhile, the Environment and Social Initiatives teams will report directly to Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, Sabih Khan.
Apple CEO Tim Cook expressed his gratitude towards both executives. “Kate has been an integral part of the company for the better part of a decade, providing critical advice while always advocating for our customers’ right to privacy,” he stated regarding Adams. He acknowledged Jackson’s role in helping Apple reduce global greenhouse emissions by over 60 percent since 2015 and highlighted her contributions in engaging with governments worldwide.
The departures of Adams and Jackson are part of a broader trend, as Apple has seen several other significant exits recently. This includes John Giannandrea, the Senior Vice President of Machine Learning and AI Strategy, who is retiring in spring 2026, and Alan Dye, the Vice President of Human Interface Design, who is moving to lead a new design studio at Meta. Additionally, the recent retirements of COO Jeff Williams and CFO Luca Maestri indicate a potential shift in leadership as the Tim Cook era may be approaching an end.
The news of these executive changes comes at a time of continued innovation and growth for Apple, signifying both a challenge and an opportunity for the company to bring in fresh leadership that aligns with its future vision. As Apple navigates this transition, it remains focused on its core values of privacy, innovation, and sustainability, promising to uphold the standards that have defined its reputation in the technology sector.