Apple has announced more significant shifts in its senior ranks.
Apple gas confirmed that Jennifer Newstead will become Apple’s new general counsel on March 1, 2026, taking over from Kate Adams, who has held the position since 2017.
Apple also announced that Lisa Jackson, the vice president for Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, will retire in late January 2026.
Following the retirement of longtime COO Jeff Williams, the stepping down of AI chief John Giannandrea, and design leader Alan Dye’s move to Meta, Apple has now announced more significant shifts in its senior ranks. The company confirmed that Jennifer Newstead will become Apple’s new general counsel on March 1, 2026, taking over from Kate Adams, who has held the position since 2017. Newstead will join Apple in January as a senior vice president, reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook and becoming part of the company’s executive team.
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Apple also announced that Lisa Jackson, the vice president for Environment, Policy, and Social Initiatives, will retire in late January 2026. Her departure will bring several organisational changes. During the transition, the Government Affairs team will shift under Kate Adams. After Adams retires late next year, Newstead will lead the team. Her title will then become senior vice president, General Counsel and Government Affairs, formally combining the two groups.
Tim Cook praised the leaders who are stepping down. “Kate has been an integral part of the company for the better part of a decade, having provided critical advice while always advocating on behalf of our customers’ right to privacy and protecting Apple’s right to innovate,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook. “I am deeply appreciative of Lisa’s contributions. She has been instrumental in helping us reduce our global greenhouse emissions by more than 60 percent compared to 2015 levels.”
Before joining Apple, Newstead served as chief legal officer at Meta and held several senior positions in the US government, including roles at the State Department, the Department of Justice, and the White House.