YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki announces exit, will become an Alphabet advisor

After nine years of leading the world’s largest video site, Susan Wojcicki has announced that she is stepping down from her role as CEO of YouTube. She will eventually be replaced by her defacto deputy, Neal Mohan.

In a farewell letter sent to employees (first published by Recode), Wojcicki revealed that she is leaving her position as CEO. As to why now, Wojcicki explains her decision is based on her desire to focus on her family, health, and personal projects.

“Today, after nearly 25 years here, I’ve decided to step back from my role as the head of YouTube and start a new chapter focused on my family, health and personal projects I’m passionate about,” said Wojcicki. “The time is right for me, and I feel able to do this because we have an incredible leadership team in place at YouTube.”

If you’re not familiar with Wojcicki’s story, she’s been a part of Google nearly since the beginning. She joined the Google team 25 years ago when founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin started working out of her parents’ garage. Wojcicki later went on to become Google’s marketing manager, co-created Google Image Search, played a hand in the creation of AdSense, and more. About a year after YouTube’s launch, Wojcicki encouraged Google to acquire the video platform.

The new leader of YouTube will be Neal Mohan, who arrived after Google’s acquisition of DoubleClick in 2007. However, rather than assuming the title of CEO, Wojcicki’s letter states that Mohan will have the title of senior vice-president and head of YouTube.

Although Wojcicki announced her departure, she won’t be leaving right away it appears. “I plan to support Neal and help with the transition, which will include continuing to work with some YouTube teams, coaching team members, and meeting with creators.”

Once she’s done helping with the transition process, it looks like she will be taking on an advisory role at Google and Alphabet.

In the longer term, I’ve agreed with Sundar to take on an advisory role across Google and Alphabet. This will allow me to call on my different experiences over the years to offer counsel and guidance across Google and the portfolio of Alphabet companies. It’s an incredibly important time for Google—it reminds me of the early days—incredible product and technology innovation, huge opportunities, and a healthy disregard for the impossible.

In 2015, Wojcicki was named “the most important person in advertising” and made it on Time’s 100 most influential people in 2015 list.