LinkedIn leadership shake-up: Daniel Shapero ascends to CEO role

Microsoft-owned LinkedIn has appointed Chief Operating Officer Daniel Shapero as its new CEO, marking a strategic move to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of AI-driven professional work.

Shapero, a company veteran who joined in 2008, succeeds Ryan Roslansky in a leadership transition that is effective immediately.

During his nearly two-decade tenure, Shapero rose through the ranks to lead critical functions across sales, marketing, and product development, making him a central figure in LinkedIn's growth since its $27 billion acquisition by Microsoft in 2016.

In his inaugural statement as CEO, Shapero identified artificial intelligence as the defining force for the platform's future.

"The promise of LinkedIn has never been more important than it is today as the world is transformed by AI and professionals everywhere must transition along with it," he wrote.

This sentiment was echoed by outgoing chief Roslansky, who noted that AI will transform how people grow in their careers "faster than most people expect."

Under this new leadership, LinkedIn aims to solidify its position as the primary hub for an AI-transformed global workforce.

The reshuffle comes at a time of significant scale for the professional network, which now boasts more than 1.3 billion members and contributed 6.3% of Microsoft’s annual revenue in 2025.

Alongside Shapero’s appointment, the company named Mohak Shroff as President of Platforms & Digital Work.

These changes also coincide with broader shifts within Microsoft's executive tier following the retirement of senior Office executive Rajesh Jha, further aligning LinkedIn’s strategic direction with Satya Nadella’s overarching AI vision.