Silicon Valley to Wall Street: Top CEO departures of 2024
The year 2025 was marked by a significant reshuffling in leadership across industries. Several high-profile executives made the decision to step down or transition to new roles, signaling the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for their companies. These leaders, having navigated their organizations through periods of transformation, innovation, and market shifts, leave behind legacies that will shape the course of their industries for years to come.
As these prominent figures exit, questions about the future direction of their companies loom large. Their successors will need to rise to the challenge of maintaining momentum, driving innovation, and addressing emerging trends that could alter the business landscape. From technology and entertainment to healthcare and finance, the departure of these key players offers a window into the evolving corporate world and the changing dynamics of leadership.
1. Kevin Liles – 300 Elektra Entertainment
Kevin Liles, the CEO of 300 Elektra Entertainment, stepped down after guiding the company through a period of immense transformation in the music industry. Under Liles' leadership, the company championed diversity, embraced digital music distribution, and empowered artists in ways that reshaped how music labels operate. His efforts in advocating for artist-first initiatives changed the industry’s landscape.
As Liles moves on, his departure leaves big shoes to fill. His successor will need to continue navigating the rapidly changing music industry, balancing the interests of artists with the demands of modern technology. The advent of AI in music creation will be one of the key challenges for the new CEO, alongside maintaining the artist-first ethos that Liles so strongly cultivated.
2. Laxman Narasimhan – Starbucks
After a relatively brief yet impactful tenure, Laxman Narasimhan left Starbucks as its CEO in 2025. Narasimhan's time at Starbucks was marked by bold initiatives, including an expansion of sustainability efforts and digital customer engagement, which solidified the company’s standing as a global coffee giant. His departure leaves a question mark over the company’s future direction, particularly in a market where consumer preferences are shifting towards sustainability.
Narasimhan’s successor will face the challenge of ensuring Starbucks remains at the top of its game amidst a competitive coffee industry, while continuing to innovate in ways that resonate with today’s environmentally conscious consumer.
3. Dave Calhoun – Boeing
Boeing, one of the largest aerospace manufacturers in the world, will enter a new chapter following the resignation of its CEO, Dave Calhoun. Calhoun guided the company through one of the most tumultuous periods in its history, including the aftermath of the 737 MAX crisis and the global pandemic’s impact on aviation.
Boeing’s next leader will inherit both significant opportunities and challenges. While the aerospace industry is beginning to recover, the company still faces the task of restoring public trust, pursuing sustainable aviation technologies, and remaining competitive in a rapidly evolving sector.
4. Bob Bakish – Paramount Global
Under Bob Bakish’s leadership, Paramount Global focused heavily on streaming, with major investments in Paramount+ and a robust content library. As the streaming wars intensify, Bakish’s departure raises questions about how Paramount will navigate its future in an increasingly crowded market.
The next CEO will need to strike a delicate balance between profitability and content innovation, ensuring that Paramount remains a strong player in the streaming industry while keeping up with consumer demand for diverse and high-quality programming.
5. Stephen Scherr – Hertz
Stephen Scherr’s departure from Hertz marks the end of a significant chapter in the car rental industry. Scherr’s leadership helped the company navigate bankruptcy, re-establish itself in the marketplace, and position itself as a leader in the emerging electric vehicle (EV) rental market.
As Hertz continues to capitalize on the growth of the EV market and compete with alternative mobility solutions like ride-sharing, Scherr’s successor will be tasked with ensuring the company stays relevant in an increasingly dynamic and competitive industry.
6. John Donahoe – Nike
Nike’s CEO, John Donahoe, left after a transformative period that saw the company strengthen its dominance in sportswear through digital innovation and direct-to-consumer strategies. Donahoe’s tenure also included a focus on sustainability, ensuring Nike was ahead of the curve in adopting eco-friendly materials.
Nike’s future lies in the ability of its next leader to maintain the momentum of these innovations while continuing to diversify its offerings in the face of changing consumer preferences and growing competition in the global sports and fashion industries.
7. Kaz Kobayashi – Warner Music Japan
Kaz Kobayashi's resignation from Warner Music Japan marked the end of an era for the company in Japan, where he played a crucial role in bringing Japanese artists to the global stage. Under Kobayashi’s leadership, Warner Music Japan expanded its influence beyond the domestic market, fostering global collaborations and increasing Japan’s presence in the international music scene.
As the company looks to continue its expansion, the new CEO will need to navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital landscape while continuing to build on the legacy of global collaborations.
8. Randy Goodman – Sony Music Nashville
Randy Goodman’s departure from Sony Music Nashville, a leader in country music, will be remembered for his ability to blend the genre’s traditional roots with modern influences. Goodman’s leadership helped elevate country music’s appeal to a broader, more diverse audience, both in the U.S. and internationally.
The next leader at Sony Music Nashville will face the exciting task of further growing country music’s global presence, especially as younger, more diverse audiences continue to embrace the genre.
9. Matteo Fantacchiotti – Campari
Campari’s CEO, Matteo Fantacchiotti, stepped down after an impressive tenure marked by global expansion and brand revitalization. Fantacchiotti’s leadership helped position Campari as a key player in the premium spirits market, with a portfolio of high-end brands that attracted a growing consumer base.
With shifting consumer preferences toward low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages, Campari’s next CEO will need to keep pace with these evolving trends while maintaining the company’s core strength in premium spirits.
10. Michael Rhodes – TD Bank Group
Michael Rhodes ended his tenure at TD Bank Group, a period defined by digital banking transformation and a customer-first approach to financial services. Under Rhodes’ leadership, TD Bank expanded its digital offerings and introduced innovative solutions that catered to the changing needs of consumers.
The new CEO will need to continue leveraging technology to redefine the customer experience, especially as the financial services industry faces disruptions from fintech companies and changing regulatory landscapes.
11. Rajiv Malik – Viatris Inc.
Rajiv Malik concluded his tenure at Viatris, the pharmaceutical giant formed by the merger of Mylan and Upjohn. Malik’s leadership was instrumental in steering the company through its integration and ensuring its position as a global player in the healthcare industry.
Viatris’ next leader will face the dual challenge of driving forward innovation in healthcare while maintaining the company’s commitment to providing affordable medicines, especially as the industry continues to evolve with new research and breakthroughs.
12. Martine Ferland – Mercer
Martine Ferland, CEO of Mercer, stepped down after overseeing significant growth in human capital consulting. Ferland’s leadership was marked by a focus on emerging workforce trends such as hybrid work, diversity and inclusion, and evolving talent management practices.
Mercer’s next CEO will need to ensure the company remains at the forefront of these trends while adapting to the challenges of a rapidly changing workplace environment.
13. Tom Bartlett – American Tower Corporation
Tom Bartlett, the CEO of American Tower Corporation, left after guiding the telecom infrastructure company through a period of significant growth, particularly in the expansion of 5G networks. Bartlett’s leadership ensured the company remained a key player in global telecom infrastructure.
The future leader of American Tower will face the exciting prospect of capitalizing on emerging markets, while also tackling sustainability challenges within the telecom infrastructure sector.
14. Julien Mininberg – Helen of Troy
Julien Mininberg’s departure from Helen of Troy marks the end of a transformative period for the consumer goods company. Under his leadership, the company expanded its product portfolio, focusing on premium offerings in personal care and home appliances.
As the new CEO steps in, they will need to maintain the momentum of innovation while addressing growing consumer demand for sustainability and personalized experiences.
15. James Gorman – Morgan Stanley
James Gorman’s resignation from Morgan Stanley marked the end of a significant era for the financial giant. Gorman’s leadership transformed Morgan Stanley into a wealth management powerhouse, diversifying its revenue streams and positioning the firm as a leader in the financial services industry.
The future of Morgan Stanley lies in the hands of its next CEO, who will need to navigate an increasingly digital and globally interconnected financial landscape.
16. Jay Brown – Crown Castle Inc.
Jay Brown’s departure from Crown Castle Inc. leaves behind a legacy of innovation in telecom infrastructure. Brown’s leadership was instrumental in expanding the company’s investments in 5G networks, positioning it for future growth in the telecom sector.
The new CEO will need to capitalize on the growing demand for connectivity while addressing sustainability concerns within telecom infrastructure.
17. Ricky Dickson – Blue Bell Creameries
Ricky Dickson’s departure from Blue Bell Creameries marks the end of an era for the beloved ice cream brand. Dickson’s leadership helped Blue Bell navigate significant growth and resilience, ensuring it remained a household favorite.
As the company faces increasing competition in the ice cream market, its new leader will need to ensure the brand maintains its reputation for quality while adapting to changing consumer preferences.
18. Pat Gelsinger – Intel
In one of the more surprising resignations of 2025, Pat Gelsinger retired as CEO of Intel, amid growing competition from Nvidia and increasing concerns about Intel’s ability to regain market share. Gelsinger’s ambitious turnaround plans failed to yield the expected results, and the company’s financial challenges mounted, culminating in his departure.
Intel’s new leadership will face a monumental task in revitalizing the company, addressing its stagnating performance, and regaining its position as a leader in the semiconductor industry.
19. Jeff Lawson – Twilio
Jeff Lawson, the CEO of Twilio, left his role after leading the company through a period of dramatic growth in cloud communications. Twilio became one of the most widely used platforms for messaging, voice, and video services, supporting a wide range of businesses with their communication needs.
The next CEO will need to ensure Twilio maintains its growth trajectory in the highly competitive cloud services market while adapting to the increasing reliance on AI and automation in communications.
Here’s to making 2025 the year we all level up – whether it’s our careers, our curiosity, or just the sheer amount of coffee we can handle before 3 p.m.
Happy New Year, folks! Let's make it extraordinary!