Apple’s executive transition continues as the company reveals the retirement of two significant leaders: Katherine Adams, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, and Lisa Jackson, Vice President of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives. The news was shared in a press release, indicating that Jackson will retire in late January 2026, with Adams following in late 2026.
Jennifer Newstead, an experienced attorney who has served as the legal adviser for the U.S. Department of State and most recently as Meta’s Chief Legal Officer, will step into the role of General Counsel at Apple on March 1, 2026.
Regarding organizational shifts, Lisa Jackson’s Government Affairs team will be reassigned to Katherine Adams, who will manage it until her retirement. Following Adams’ exit, Newstead will lead this team and take on the position of Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Government Affairs. Meanwhile, the Environment and Social Initiatives teams will report to Apple’s Chief Operating Officer, Sabih Khan.
Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, conveyed his appreciation for Adams’ contributions, emphasizing her commitment to customer privacy and strategic perspectives. He also recognized Jackson’s impact in lowering Apple’s global greenhouse emissions and her engagement with governments on various matters.
These retirements form part of a larger pattern of senior departures at Apple, which recently saw John Giannandrea, Senior Vice President for Machine Learning and AI Strategy, and Alan Dye, Vice President of Human Interface Design, leave. Other notable resignations include COO Jeff Williams and CFO Luca Maestri. There is speculation regarding Tim Cook’s future as CEO, with reports indicating he might resign as early as next year.
For further information, the complete announcement can be accessed on Apple’s official website.
