Joel Kaplan, Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, is set to depart the company in 2027 after over 15 years of service. Kaplan, who formerly advised President George W. Bush, has been a pivotal figure in shaping Meta’s interactions with political entities, including establishing connections with the Trump administration. Throughout his tenure, he consistently championed CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s commitment to free expression, even amidst controversy. Kaplan also played a crucial role in defending Meta’s personalized advertising model against regulatory scrutiny, particularly in Europe. Zuckerberg acknowledged Kaplan’s contributions, noting his involvement in nearly every significant challenge the company faced during his time. Kaplan will remain through the 2026 midterm elections to ensure a smooth transition, collaborating with a new external affairs leadership team comprising members from across the political spectrum. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2026/10/20/joel-kaplan-meta?utm_source=openai))
Kaplan’s departure follows a series of significant leadership changes at Meta. In February 2023, Chief Business Officer Marne Levine announced her decision to leave after 13 years with the company. Levine, who oversaw Meta’s advertising and business partnerships, was succeeded by Nicola Mendelsohn and Justin Osofsky, who took on expanded roles to lead sales and partnerships. ([about.fb.com](https://about.fb.com/news/2023/02/meta-chief-business-officer-stepping-down/?utm_source=openai))
Additionally, in October 2023, Campbell Brown, who led Meta’s news partnerships, stepped down. Brown’s departure marked a shift in Meta’s strategy away from news content, reflecting broader industry changes as the company focuses more on entertainment and viral trends. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2023/10/03/campbell-brown-meta-news-exit?utm_source=openai))
These leadership transitions occur amid Meta’s broader organizational restructuring efforts. In March 2023, the company announced plans to lay off approximately 10,000 employees and eliminate 5,000 open roles as part of its “year of efficiency” initiative aimed at improving financial performance and achieving long-term goals. ([latimes.com](https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2023-03-14/meta-to-cut-10-000-jobs-eliminate-5-000-more-vacant-positions?utm_source=openai))
As of October 20, 2026, Meta’s stock is trading at $694.25, reflecting the company’s ongoing efforts to navigate these leadership changes and organizational shifts.