Howard Schultz is stepping down this month as Starbucks CEO. He joins a growing list of executive departures in 2022, including Meta's Sheryl Sandberg and a slew of retail CEOs.

Samantha DelouyaOct 1, 2022, 17:12 IST

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Howard Schultz officially exits as Starbucks CEO - for a third time - this month.
He joins a growing list of executive departures in 2022, including Sheryl Sandberg from Meta and Jeff Zucker from CNN.

In July, Gap announced Sonia Syngal would step down as CEO effective immediately. The retailer's executive chairman, Bob Martin, is serving as interim CEO. Syngal was Gap's CEO for only 2 years.

Former CEO of Gap Inc. Sonia SyngalMANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images

In July, Gap announced Sonia Syngal would step down as CEO effective immediately. The retailer's executive chairman, Bob Martin, is serving as interim CEO. Syngal was Gap's CEO for only 2 years.

In February, John Foley, Peloton's co-founder, announced that he would step down as CEO. He was at the helm during the company's pandemic-fueled rise and its subsequent sharp drop in demand. Barry McCarthy, who was once CFO of both Spotify and Netflix, took over the top spot.

Peloton co-founder John FoleyMark Lennihan/AP

In February, John Foley, Peloton's co-founder, announced that he would step down as CEO. He was at the helm during the company's pandemic-fueled rise and its subsequent sharp drop in demand. Barry McCarthy, who was once CFO of both Spotify and Netflix, took over the top spot.

CNN President Jeff Zucker abruptly resigned from his longtime post in February, saying he had failed to disclose a romantic relationship with a network executive. Zucker had been at CNN since 2013.

Jeff Zucker.Mike Coppola/Getty Images for WarnerMedia

CNN President Jeff Zucker abruptly resigned from his longtime post in February, saying he had failed to disclose a romantic relationship with a network executive. Zucker had been at CNN since 2013.

Sheryl Sandberg announced in early June that she would step down as COO of Meta, formerly Facebook. She had been with the company for 14 years and helped turn Facebook into an advertising juggernaut. Sandberg was often called Facebook's "adult in the room."

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Sheryl Sandberg announced in early June that she would step down as COO of Meta, formerly Facebook. She had been with the company for 14 years and helped turn Facebook into an advertising juggernaut. Sandberg was often called Facebook's "adult in the room."

Under Armour unexpectedly announced that CEO Patrik Frisk would step down from the struggling athletic company in May after two years at the helm. Colin Browne, the company's COO, has served as interim CEO since June 1.

Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

Under Armour unexpectedly announced that CEO Patrik Frisk would step down from the struggling athletic company in May after two years at the helm. Colin Browne, the company's COO, has served as interim CEO since June 1.

Howard Schultz is stepping down as CEO for a third and final time on October 1. Schultz began working at Starbucks in 1982 and eventually bought the company in 1987. Schultz has been interim CEO since April, and the company announced that Laxman Narasimhan would join as the new CEO.

Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz speaks at the company's Open Forum on April 4, 2022.Starbucks video

Howard Schultz is stepping down as CEO for a third and final time on October 1. Schultz began working at Starbucks in 1982 and eventually bought the company in 1987. Schultz has been interim CEO since April, and the company announced that Laxman Narasimhan would join as the new CEO.

Bed Bath & Beyond appointed board director Sue Gove as interim CEO in June, replacing Mark Tritton amid a slump in sales. The change came a few months after Chewy co-founder and activist investor Ryan Cohen bought a stake in the company and publicly criticized its turnaround strategy.

Mark TrittonJohn Lamparski/Getty Images

Bed Bath & Beyond appointed board director Sue Gove as interim CEO in June, replacing Mark Tritton amid a slump in sales. The change came a few months after Chewy co-founder and activist investor Ryan Cohen bought a stake in the company and publicly criticized its turnaround strategy.

Adidas unexpectedly announced that CEO Kasper Rørsted would leave his role in 2023 before his contract runs out. Rørsted has been the head of Adidas since 2016 and spearheaded the company's often tumultuous relationship with rapper-turned-designer Kanye West.

AP/Matthias Schrader

Adidas unexpectedly announced that CEO Kasper Rørsted would leave his role in 2023 before his contract runs out. Rørsted has been the head of Adidas since 2016 and spearheaded the company's often tumultuous relationship with rapper-turned-designer Kanye West.

In late June, Pinterest announced that co-founder Ben Silbermann would transition to a new role as executive chairman. Former Google executive and former Venmo CEO Bill Ready has taken over Pinterest's top job.

Horacio Villalobos/Getty Images

In late June, Pinterest announced that co-founder Ben Silbermann would transition to a new role as executive chairman. Former Google executive and former Venmo CEO Bill Ready has taken over Pinterest's top job.

Dollar General announced that its CEO Todd Vasos will retire from his position effective November 1. Jeffrey Owen, who has been COO of the budget retailer, will take over as CEO. Vasos plans to stay in a senior advisory role through April 2023.

Dollar General storeInsider/Brittany Chang

Dollar General announced that its CEO Todd Vasos will retire from his position effective November 1. Jeffrey Owen, who has been COO of the budget retailer, will take over as CEO. Vasos plans to stay in a senior advisory role through April 2023.

Glossier CEO Emily Weiss announced in a blog post earlier this year that Kyle Leahy, the company's chief commercial officer, would replace her as CEO. Weiss, who founded Glossier in 2014, will stay on as executive chairwoman.

Steve Jennings/Getty Images

Glossier CEO Emily Weiss announced in a blog post earlier this year that Kyle Leahy, the company's chief commercial officer, would replace her as CEO. Weiss, who founded Glossier in 2014, will stay on as executive chairwoman.

Earlier this month, oil giant Shell announced that its CEO Ben van Beurden would step down at the end of the year. Van Beurdan joined Shell in 1984 and has served as CEO since 2014.

Consumers fill up at a Shell gas station July 13, 2022, in Miami Beach, Fla.Marta Lavandier/AP Photo

Earlier this month, oil giant Shell announced that its CEO Ben van Beurden would step down at the end of the year. Van Beurdan joined Shell in 1984 and has served as CEO since 2014.

Reckitt Benckiser, the British consumer goods company that makes Lysol, Clearasil, and AirWick, announced earlier this year that its CEO Laxman Narasimhan would be stepping down. Narasimhan left his role to take the helm at Starbucks.

Laxman NarasimhanGuillermo Gutierrez/Bloomberg

Reckitt Benckiser, the British consumer goods company that makes Lysol, Clearasil, and AirWick, announced earlier this year that its CEO Laxman Narasimhan would be stepping down. Narasimhan left his role to take the helm at Starbucks.

In May, Bath & Body Works CEO Andrew Meslow announced he would resign from his role - and give up his board seat - due to health reasons. Meslow took over as CEO in May 2020.

Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

In May, Bath & Body Works CEO Andrew Meslow announced he would resign from his role - and give up his board seat - due to health reasons. Meslow took over as CEO in May 2020.

Denny's named Kelli Valade the fast-casual chain's new CEO effective June 13, replacing John Miller. Valade was once CEO of Red Lobster, and before that, she was president of Chili's Bar & Grill.

Denny's.Shutterstock

Denny's named Kelli Valade the fast-casual chain's new CEO effective June 13, replacing John Miller. Valade was once CEO of Red Lobster, and before that, she was president of Chili's Bar & Grill.

In August, Kewsong Lee abruptly stepped down as CEO of private equity juggernaut Carlyle Group. Lee left before the end of his five-year contract, which was set to expire at the end of 2022.

Kewsong Lee is the CEO of the Carlyle Group.Courtesy of Carlyle Group

In August, Kewsong Lee abruptly stepped down as CEO of private equity juggernaut Carlyle Group. Lee left before the end of his five-year contract, which was set to expire at the end of 2022.

Photos show the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Florida, including flooded streets, piles of debris, and boats washed ashore

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Howard Schultz is stepping down this month as Starbucks CEO. He joins a growing list of executive departures in 2022, including Meta's Sheryl Sandberg and a slew of retail CEOs.

In July, Gap announced Sonia Syngal would step down as CEO effective immediately. The retailer's executive chairman, Bob Martin, is serving as interim CEO. Syngal was Gap's CEO for only 2 years.

In February, John Foley, Peloton's co-founder, announced that he would step down as CEO. He was at the helm during the company's pandemic-fueled rise and its subsequent sharp drop in demand. Barry McCarthy, who was once CFO of both Spotify and Netflix, took over the top spot.

CNN President Jeff Zucker abruptly resigned from his longtime post in February, saying he had failed to disclose a romantic relationship with a network executive. Zucker had been at CNN since 2013.

Sheryl Sandberg announced in early June that she would step down as COO of Meta, formerly Facebook. She had been with the company for 14 years and helped turn Facebook into an advertising juggernaut. Sandberg was often called Facebook's "adult in the room."

Under Armour unexpectedly announced that CEO Patrik Frisk would step down from the struggling athletic company in May after two years at the helm. Colin Browne, the company's COO, has served as interim CEO since June 1.

Howard Schultz is stepping down as CEO for a third and final time on October 1. Schultz began working at Starbucks in 1982 and eventually bought the company in 1987. Schultz has been interim CEO since April, and the company announced that Laxman Narasimhan would join as the new CEO.

Bed Bath & Beyond appointed board director Sue Gove as interim CEO in June, replacing Mark Tritton amid a slump in sales. The change came a few months after Chewy co-founder and activist investor Ryan Cohen bought a stake in the company and publicly criticized its turnaround strategy.

Adidas unexpectedly announced that CEO Kasper Rørsted would leave his role in 2023 before his contract runs out. Rørsted has been the head of Adidas since 2016 and spearheaded the company's often tumultuous relationship with rapper-turned-designer Kanye West.

In late June, Pinterest announced that co-founder Ben Silbermann would transition to a new role as executive chairman. Former Google executive and former Venmo CEO Bill Ready has taken over Pinterest's top job.

Dollar General announced that its CEO Todd Vasos will retire from his position effective November 1. Jeffrey Owen, who has been COO of the budget retailer, will take over as CEO. Vasos plans to stay in a senior advisory role through April 2023.

Glossier CEO Emily Weiss announced in a blog post earlier this year that Kyle Leahy, the company's chief commercial officer, would replace her as CEO. Weiss, who founded Glossier in 2014, will stay on as executive chairwoman.

Earlier this month, oil giant Shell announced that its CEO Ben van Beurden would step down at the end of the year. Van Beurdan joined Shell in 1984 and has served as CEO since 2014.

Reckitt Benckiser, the British consumer goods company that makes Lysol, Clearasil, and AirWick, announced earlier this year that its CEO Laxman Narasimhan would be stepping down. Narasimhan left his role to take the helm at Starbucks.

In May, Bath & Body Works CEO Andrew Meslow announced he would resign from his role - and give up his board seat - due to health reasons. Meslow took over as CEO in May 2020.

Denny's named Kelli Valade the fast-casual chain's new CEO effective June 13, replacing John Miller. Valade was once CEO of Red Lobster, and before that, she was president of Chili's Bar & Grill.

In August, Kewsong Lee abruptly stepped down as CEO of private equity juggernaut Carlyle Group. Lee left before the end of his five-year contract, which was set to expire at the end of 2022.