Dev Ittycheria, President and Chief Executive Officer, shared the following message with MongoDB employees this morning.
This is the hardest email I have ever had to write to all of you. If you have not seen the announcement, I have decided to retire as CEO. Effective November 10, 2025, Chirantan “CJ” Desai will become the new CEO of MongoDB.
This was not an easy decision for me. The process to get to this point has been deeply emotional, as I care profoundly about MongoDB and the people who have made the company what it is today.
This news may come as a surprise, and for some, perhaps even a shock. That’s natural. Leadership transitions can evoke a range of reactions. I want to share why this is happening, and why it’s the right thing for MongoDB.
Every personnel change, including the most senior leadership changes, involves two key decisions: first, recognizing that it is the right time for change, and second, selecting the best person to replace the person leaving. This email is intended to explain both decisions.
Earlier this year, as part of our regular succession planning process, the Board and I discussed my long-term commitment. They asked if I would continue as CEO for another five years. After many conversations with my family and the Board, I realized I could not make that commitment. Some CEOs see their title as their identity. I do not. My core responsibility is to serve in the company's best interests. The company is primed for a new leader. One with a fresh perspective, grounded in experience and skills needed to guide MongoDB through its next evolution as a company, what we call MongoDB 3.0.
Consequently, I informed the Board that I would commit to two more years to help find a successor. That began the search process for a suitable successor. To our surprise and delight, what we thought would easily take 12 to 24 months happened much faster than anyone expected. After engaging with multiple qualified candidates, we found the right successor in CJ.
CJ is uniquely qualified for this role. CJ brings the rare growth-at-scale experience that will help continue to build MongoDB into an iconic technology company. At ServiceNow, he was the only executive to work directly with three of its highly regarded public company CEOs and played a pivotal role in organically scaling the company from just over $1 billion to more than $10 billion in revenue. Only a handful of independent software companies have ever reached that milestone. CJ helped transform ServiceNow from a product company to a platform company, scaled engineering, drove go-to-market excellence, and engaged deeply with investors. More recently, as President of Product and Engineering at Cloudflare, he helped fuel strong growth and stock performance.
CJ also possesses the personal qualities needed to succeed as CEO. He is humble, eager to learn, and wants to draw on the perspectives of the people at MongoDB and other stakeholders to inform his thinking. This blend of experience, judgment, and character gives me full confidence that he is well-equipped to lead MongoDB through its next phase of growth.
I often think of MongoDB’s journey as a long and extraordinary expedition. For the past eleven years, I have had the privilege of serving as its guide, helping chart the course, rally the team, and climb together through both calm and challenging terrain. Along the way, we have reached remarkable summits and proven what is possible through relentless innovation, persistence, and teamwork. Now it is time for a new guide to lead the next stage of the ascent and take MongoDB to even greater heights. CJ is the right leader to take MongoDB to the next summit.
MongoDB is on a strong footing, with a clear strategy, an exceptional leadership team, a product platform that is more relevant than ever, and a business that is executing well. The rise of AI and the explosion of data-intensive applications play directly to MongoDB’s strengths. Our technology sits at the center of how modern applications are built and how organizations will harness data to power intelligent, adaptive systems. I am confident MongoDB is perfectly positioned to capture this next wave of innovation.
As for me, I am not running away from MongoDB or leaving to join another company as CEO. I will remain on the Board and work closely with CJ to ensure a seamless transition. Over the years, this role has demanded an enormous amount of focus and energy; as a result, there are many things I’ve missed doing along the way. I’m looking forward to being more present for those moments — from simple time with my family to experiences and travel we’ve long put off. I plan to hold on to my MongoDB stock, as I firmly believe in the people and the opportunity, knowing that MongoDB’s best days are ahead of it.
Yes, change can be unsettling. I’m sure you will have many questions about this change, such as why now, why CJ is the best person to lead the company, and what this means for you. We will hold an all-hands meeting tomorrow at 10:30AM ET to discuss this transition, introduce CJ and take your questions.
That being said, I want to emphasize that the right change at the right time is how great companies get stronger. Just as a championship team refreshes its roster to stay competitive, MongoDB is bringing in new leadership, including other recent C-suite leaders who came before CJ, to drive our next phase of growth. This is not an ending; it’s the founding of a new moment.
I am incredibly proud of what we have built together and genuinely excited about what lies ahead with CJ leading us forward. I also want to thank each of you for making this journey so meaningful. Words cannot fully capture my gratitude for your passion, creativity, and belief in building something truly special.
I have often said that I want MongoDB to be an inflection point in people’s careers, a place where they can grow, take risks, and do the best work of their lives. I can say without hesitation that it has been exactly that for me. The skills I have developed, the experiences I have gained, and the relationships I have formed here have shaped me more than any other chapter in my professional life. I will carry them with me always, and will continue to cheer for and support MongoDB every step of the way.
--Dev