Apple Executives Depart as Meta Poaches Key Talent

Two of Apple’s top executives announced their retirement this week. General Counsel Kate Adams and environmental chief Lisa Jackson will both leave the company. Their departures mark another major leadership shift at the tech giant.

This comes days after Apple confirmed the exit of its AI chief. Other key leaders have also left for Meta recently. The changes arrive as Apple navigates intense regulatory pressure and an evolving AI landscape.

New Leadership and Lasting Legacies

Kate Adams will retire late next year after serving since 2017. She led Apple’s legal team through major antitrust battles. Her tenure focused heavily on app store competition cases.

Lisa Jackson will retire in late January 2026. She oversaw Apple’s environmental and social initiatives. According to a company statement, she helped cut greenhouse emissions by over 60% since 2015.

Apple has already named a successor for the top legal role. Jennifer Newstead will join as General Counsel in March 2026. She is currently the Chief Legal Officer at Meta Platforms.

Newstead brings deep government experience to Apple. She previously served as the top lawyer for the U.S. State Department. She also clerked for a Supreme Court justice early in her career.

Broader Impact on Apple’s Future

These retirements are part of a wider executive reshuffle. Apple’s COO Jeff Williams departed earlier this year. AI leader John Giannandrea also recently left his post.

Several Apple AI specialists have been recruited by Meta. This includes a key executive working on AI-powered web search. Another senior AI models manager also made the switch.

The leadership changes occur at a critical time. Apple is seen as lagging behind competitors in artificial intelligence. It recently delayed the launch of a smarter Siri assistant.

Design leadership has also seen upheaval. Longtime executive Alan Dye left Apple for Meta recently. Some reports suggest his departure was welcomed by certain Apple design staff.

The recent executive changes signal a period of significant transition for Apple. The company must fill key roles while battling for AI talent. How it navigates this leadership reshuffle will shape its future direction.

A quick knowledge drop for you

Who is replacing Kate Adams as Apple’s General Counsel?

Jennifer Newstead will become Apple’s General Counsel. She currently serves as the Chief Legal Officer at Meta. Her start date is set for March 1, 2026.

What was Lisa Jackson’s role at Apple?

Lisa Jackson was Apple’s Vice President for Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives. She led the company’s climate and sustainability programs. She also managed policy advocacy and social justice work.

Why are so many Apple executives leaving now?

The reasons appear to be a mix of personal retirement and competitive poaching. Meta has aggressively recruited Apple’s AI and design talent. This is part of a broader industry battle for specialized expertise.

How does this affect Apple’s environmental goals?

Apple states its climate commitments remain firm despite Jackson’s retirement. The company has a published roadmap to become carbon neutral by 2030. New leadership will need to continue executing this plan.

What other major departures has Apple seen recently?

Besides Adams and Jackson, Apple recently lost its AI chief and its COO. Several AI specialists and a top design executive have also left. Many of them joined rival technology firm Meta.