Apple announces even more major executive turnover
In a significant reshuffle of its leadership team, Apple has announced the retirement of several key executives, including environmental and policy lead Lisa Jackson, and a transition in its legal department with Jennifer Newstead set to take over as general counsel. Jackson, who has served as Apple’s vice president for Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives since 2013, will retire in late January 2026. She previously led the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during part of President Obama’s administration, where she played a pivotal role in shaping environmental policy. Her departure marks another notable exit following the recent retirements of COO Jeff Williams and AI chief John Giannandrea, as well as the move of head of design Alan Dye to Meta.
In a strategic response to these changes, Apple has announced that Newstead, currently the chief legal officer at Meta, will step into the role of general counsel on March 1, 2026, succeeding Kate Adams, who has held the position since 2017. This transition will also see the Government Affairs organization shift under Adams’ oversight until her retirement, after which it will be integrated into Newstead’s responsibilities, reflecting a broader organizational restructuring. Newstead’s new title will be senior vice president, General Counsel and Government Affairs, indicating a consolidation of legal and governmental functions within the company. Additionally, Apple has stated that the Environment and Social Initiatives teams will now report to Sabih Khan, who is set to replace Williams as COO. This restructuring highlights Apple’s commitment to integrating its environmental initiatives with its operational leadership, ensuring that sustainability remains a core focus as the company navigates these leadership transitions.
These changes come at a time when Apple is increasingly prioritizing environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility, with Jackson having been instrumental in advancing Apple’s environmental initiatives over the years. Her leadership has seen the company commit to ambitious goals, such as achieving carbon neutrality across its supply chain and products by 2030. As Apple prepares for this new chapter, the appointments of Newstead and Khan signal a strategic alignment of legal and operational functions that may enhance the company’s ability to address evolving regulatory landscapes and sustainability challenges in the tech industry.
Following the recent retirement of
former COO Jeff Williams
,
AI chief John Giannandrea stepping down
, and the
departure of head of design Alan Dye for Meta
, Apple
announced Thursday
that environmental and policy lead Lisa Jackson is retiring and that Jennifer Newstead will replace Kate Adams as the company’s general counsel after Adams retires “late next year.”
Jackson, technically “vice president for Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives,” will retire in “late January 2026,” Apple says. Newstead, who is currently Meta’s chief legal officer, will take over Apple’s general counsel role on March 1st, 2026, from Adams, who has been Apple’s general counsel since 2017.
With Jackson’s retirement and Newstead coming on board, Apple is also making some organizational shifts and shifting some responsibilities to Williams’ COO replacement, Sabih Khan. As described by Apple:
The Government Affairs organization will transition to Adams, who will oversee the team until her retirement late next year, after which it will be led by Newstead. Newstead’s title will become senior vice president, General Counsel and Government Affairs, reflecting the combining of the two organizations. The Environment and Social Initiatives teams will report to Apple chief operating officer Sabih Khan.
Before joining Apple
in 2013
, Jackson led the EPA for part of President Obama’s time in office. Apple promoted Jackson to be policy lead
in 2015
. Adams came to Apple in 2017 after 14 years at Honeywell,
according to Apple’s website
.
