Apple’s Leadership Challenges Grow As Chief People Officer Carol Surface Resigns

Apple is facing a leadership challenge with the sudden departure of several senior executives reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook. According to reports, Chief People Officer Carol Surface is leaving the company after less than two years. Surface, who joined Apple in early 2023, had replaced Deirdre O’Brien, who had been managing both HR and retail operations. With Surface’s resignation, O’Brien will now resume overseeing both teams.

Although Surface is still listed on Apple’s executive website, an Apple spokesperson has confirmed her departure. During her time at Apple, she was responsible for human resources, diversity, and inclusion. Before joining Apple, she held a similar role at Medtronic.

Surface’s exit is part of a broader leadership transition at Apple. CFO Luca Maestri will step down at the end of the year, and Senior Engineering Executive Dan Riccio is retiring this month. Other key figures, including procurement chief Dan Rosckes and App Store Head Matt Fischer, are also set to depart, marking an unusual wave of turnover among Apple’s top leadership.