AppLovin Announces Major Leadership Succession Plans and New Independent Chairperson

PALO ALTO, Calif. – April 7, 2026 – AppLovin Corporation (NASDAQ: APP), a leading marketing platform, has unveiled a series of significant changes to its executive management team and Board of Directors. These changes mark a pivotal moment for the company and could have material implications for shareholders and the company’s strategic direction.

Key Highlights of the Announcement

• Chief Technology Officer Transition:
  • Basil Shikin, the long-serving Chief Technology Officer, will step down and transition into the role of Distinguished Engineer effective July 1, 2026.
  • Giovanni (“Gio”) Ge, currently Chief Product and Engineering Officer, will be promoted to the position of Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Ge has been instrumental in leading the development of Axon 2.0 and has overseen the company’s engineering and product teams since joining AppLovin in November 2022.
• Chief Legal Officer Succession:
  • Victoria (“Tory”) Valenzuela, the current Chief Administrative & Legal Officer, will retire effective August 1, 2026. She will be nominated for election as a director at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, ensuring her continued involvement with the company at the board level.
  • Corina Cacovean, currently Deputy General Counsel overseeing privacy, litigation, and regulatory matters, will be promoted to Chief Legal Officer. Ms. Cacovean has played key roles since joining AppLovin through its acquisition of Machine Zone in 2020 and has led pivotal legal teams since September 2023.
• New Independent Chairperson of the Board:
  • Craig Billings, who has served as Lead Independent Director since AppLovin’s IPO, will become the new independent Chairperson of the Board.
  • CEO Adam Foroughi will continue in his current role and as a board member, focusing on strategic execution.
• Board Changes:
  • Alyssa Harvey Dawson will not seek re-election at the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The company expressed gratitude for her years of service as a director.

Insights for Shareholders

• Leadership Continuity and Internal Promotions: The elevation of key leaders from within—namely Gio Ge and Corina Cacovean—demonstrates AppLovin’s commitment to talent development and maintaining business continuity. This can be seen as a stabilizing factor that may reassure investors during a period of significant transition.
• Retention of Institutional Knowledge: By transitioning Basil Shikin to Distinguished Engineer and nominating Tory Valenzuela to the board, AppLovin retains critical institutional knowledge and expertise, which could be crucial in supporting ongoing innovation and strategic initiatives.
• Board Independence and Enhanced Governance: The appointment of Craig Billings as independent Chairperson strengthens board independence and governance, which could be viewed positively by shareholders and institutional investors.
• Potential Impact on Share Value: Leadership changes, especially involving C-suite executives and the Board, are typically closely monitored by the market. The smooth, internally driven transitions and the continued involvement of experienced leaders may be seen as a positive signal. However, any uncertainty or perceived risk related to the new executives’ ability to maintain momentum could also affect share value in the short term.

Statements from Leadership

“Basil and Tory have been instrumental in AppLovin’s growth. Basil led the development of much of our technology stack over the nearly 10 years he was CTO. In his new role, we’ll continue to benefit from his perspective as a builder and an innovator. Tory has been a valued business partner, helping guide the Company through its IPO and a period of rapid expansion, and we look forward to her presence and expertise in the boardroom. We’re pleased to elevate their successors from within—Gio and Corina bring deep institutional knowledge and leadership, underscoring our commitment to talent development and thoughtful succession planning.”
– Adam Foroughi, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder

“The AppLovin Board is comprised of capable directors and I’m pleased to step into the Chairperson role. Since first meeting Adam in 2013, as a customer of the Company, I’ve seen firsthand how AppLovin helps companies grow. I am confident Adam and the leadership team will continue to deliver long-term shareholder value.”
– Craig Billings, Incoming Independent Chairperson

About AppLovin

AppLovin provides technology and AI solutions that enable businesses of all sizes to reach, monetize, and grow their global audiences. The company’s end-to-end software platform is widely recognized in the marketing technology sector.

Investor Relations: David Hsiao ([email protected])
Press: Emelyne Interior ([email protected])

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with their financial advisors before making investment decisions. The information presented is based on company disclosures as of April 7, 2026, and may be subject to change.

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