A Peek Behind the Scenes at Apple’s Most Influential Leaders

The Org has identified the most influential people behind the scenes at Apple, the world’s most iconic tech brand. Here’s our exclusive org chart of the top executives and their roles.

Meet Apple's leadership team

Fresh off the heels of Apple’s annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), CEO Tim Cook has shown the world how the tech company plans to continue revolutionizing the consumer technology industry. Apple makes its technology look effortless, but these innovative new features and technologies aren’t possible without its world-class leadership team.

Cook assumed his position at the head of the Cupertino-based tech icon in August 2011, following the death of company co-founder Steve Jobs. While the loss of Jobs’s visionary leadership was a big blow to the company, Cook and his cadre of lieutenants have grown Apple to be one of the most valuable companies in the world.

Cook was well suited to lead the tech giant, as he had previously served as Apple’s Chief Operating Officer and at one point led the company’s Macintosh division. He has proven himself to be a leader both inside and outside of his office, as in 2014, Cook became the first CEO of a Fortune 500 company to come out as gay.

Under Cook, Apple has made an effort to become more services-oriented, emphasizing revenue from subscription products and digital services like Apple Music or iCloud. This push has elevated the importance of Eddy Cue, Apple’s SVP of Internet Software and Services, who oversees Apple Music, Apple Pay, Maps, Search Ads, iCloud services, and the iTunes Store. Cue also leads a new team that is responsible for developing Apple’s global video programming that will fuel its Apple TV+ streaming service. The company’s services have seen success as of late, as last fiscal quarter Apple’s services revenue hit an all-time high of $13.3 billion.

As part of Apple’s WWDC 2020 presentation, the company announced it would ditch Intel as its processor provider in favor of developing its own computer chips. This effort falls under the purview of Dan Riccio, Apple’s SVP of Hardware Engineering. Bringing this development in house allows Apple to better control the pace of innovation and tailor components to the needs of its products, making Riccio a central part of Apple’s future.

Another key member of Apple’s leadership team is SVP of Retail and People Deirdre O’Brien. Her role at the tech giant has become increasingly crucial in recent months as the company looks to responsibly reopen retail locations around the world that were forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic. She is also in charge of the company’s diversity and inclusion efforts following the departure of Christie Smith, placing her at the center of the company’s response to the racial issues being protested around the world.

As a world leader in technological innovation, Apple has launched revolutionary products like the iPod, iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods. With an all-star team of executives and engineers, it is difficult to picture what the company will come up with next, but it is bound to be exciting.

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