Whitney Wolfe Herd is stepping down from her role as CEO of Bumble after a decade at the helm of the women-centred dating app company she founded. She will be replaced by Lidiane Jones, the CEO of Slack.
Jones will assume the role from January 2, 2024, and Wolfe Herd will stay on at Bumble as Executive Chair, according to a statement from Bumble.
“It’s a monumental moment, one that has taken a great deal of time, consideration and care, for me to pass the baton to a leader and a woman I deeply respect,” Wolfe Herd wrote in a statement this week.
“This move to Executive Chair gives me the ability to step forward into a new and exciting role, get back to my founder roots and bring immense passion and focus to this next chapter of growth.”
Wolfe Herd launched Bumble in 2014, revolutionsing the dating app industry by allowing women to make the first move on the app. The company went public in 2021 and according to Bloomberg, made Wolfe Herd a billionaire for a brief period. She had previously co-founded the dating app Tinder.
“As I reflect on the past decade, I am moved by what our team has achieved and by the passionate community we have created. I am also incredibly optimistic about the future. I believe in Bumble Inc.’s significant potential today more than ever before,” Wolfe Herd said.
Wolfe Herd said she was “so pleased” to have found Jones to take over as CEO.
“Lidiane’s expertise and track record in product and technology is exceptional and having her leading the next chapter of Bumble Inc. is a major win for our company, customers and team,’ she said.
“Our shared passion, complementary skill sets and long-term vision for what Bumble Inc. can achieve makes this an exciting time for us both.”
Before she was CEO of Slack, Jones was the EVP and GM for Salesforce Digital Experiences, and has also led Sonos’ software product team, and spent 13 years at Microsoft.
“I have long admired Bumble’s mission and it is truly a privilege to join Bumble Inc. as CEO and work alongside Whitney and such an amazing global team, and I want to sincerely thank Whitney and the Board for the confidence and trust they have placed in me,” Jones said in a statement.
“As a woman who has spent her career in technology, it’s a gift to lean on my experience to lead a company dedicated to women and encouraging equality, integrity and kindness, all deeply personal and inspiring to me.”