Neal Mohan, the CEO of YouTube, took on his role over a year ago and now continues without his mentor.

Susan Wojcicki, the former YouTube CEO who joined Google back in 1999 and stepped down in February 2023, passed away on Friday. Mohan reflected on her impact, stating, “Her legacy endures in everything she influenced @google and @youtube,” in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

“I am deeply thankful for her friendship and wisdom,” Mohan added. “I will miss her greatly. My thoughts are with her family and loved ones.”

Neal Mohan on embracing change as YouTube CEO

Mohan, originally from Indiana but raised in India for part of his youth, opened up about his journey in the tech industry during an interview at Stanford University in October 2023.

He shared about his father’s educational aspirations, noting that his dad, who earned a degree in IT, aimed to pursue a doctorate in the U.S.

“He got into Purdue, being a civil engineer, with hopes of obtaining his Ph.D. there,” Mohan disclosed in the interview uploaded to YouTube on October 30, 2023. “Landing at JFK with only $25, he asked someone for directions to Lafayette, Indiana.”

During high school, Mohan’s family returned to India, a pivotal choice that significantly influenced his career.

“The idea of embracing change has been a consistent theme in my career,” he reflected. “It’s about welcoming change and making the most of it.”

“Many of my lifelong friends are ones I made in high school in India. I had to learn Hindi and Sanskrit for nine years,” Mohan mentioned. “It’s not just about surviving; it’s about prospering through transformative experiences.”

In 1996, Mohan earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, returning in 2003 for an MBA in General Management, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Neal Mohan’s journey to CEO of YouTube

Mohan joined Google in 2007 during its acquisition of DoubleClick and served as senior vice president for display and video ads, collaborating closely with the YouTube founding team.

They worked on strategies for enhancing search and non-search advertisements on the platform, which helped prepare him for his current role.

“Having been at YouTube for a long time, I’m familiar with our products and ecosystem,” Mohan remarked. “However, I now take on the role of being the face of the company.”

Mohan, who became YouTube’s chief product officer in 2015, took over as CEO in 2023 when Susan Wojcicki stepped down to focus on her health, family, and personal interests.

“I dedicate ample time to our creators,” Mohan stated. “My role is to ensure that our ecosystem, with 2 billion users and countless creators, advertisers, and partners, is flourishing.”

Susan Wojcicki’s passing and her legacy

Mohan took over for Wojcicki, who passed away at the age of 56 on Friday.

Wojcicki joined Google in 1999, becoming one of its earliest employees, long before the company acquired YouTube.

Her husband Dennis Troper announced her passing on Facebook, sharing that she succumbed to lung cancer.

“With heart-wrenching sadness, I announce the passing of Susan Wojcicki,” he shared.

“Today, my dear wife of 26 years and the mother of our five children passed away, after bravely fighting non-small cell lung cancer for two years.”

Susan Wojcicki is survived by her husband and four children. Sadly, their son, Marco Troper, passed away earlier this year.

“Susan was more than just my closest companion and life partner; she was an extraordinary thinker, a caring mother, and a beloved friend to many. Her influence on our family and the broader community was beyond measure,” Troper expressed. “While we are devastated by our loss, we cherish the moments we shared with her. Please keep us in your thoughts during this challenging period.”

A few months back in February, Susan Wojcicki and Dennis Troper experienced the tragic loss of their 19-year-old son Marco due to an accidental overdose, as reported by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.