Neal Mohan Named TIME CEO of the Year 2025

Neal Mohan Awarded TIME’s CEO of the Year 2025 for Transforming YouTube

YouTube’s Indian-origin chief executive Neal Mohan has been named TIME Magazine’s CEO of the Year for 2025 , recognising his leadership during a phase of rapid technological shifts and evolving cultural expectations online. Mohan, who took charge in 2023, has guided the platform through major updates in policy, safety architecture and creator engagement strategies.

Driving Global Digital Influence

TIME praised Mohan as a strategist whose choices actively shape global viewing behaviour, noting that YouTube’s reach gives him “extraordinary influence over the world’s digital consumption.” Under his stewardship, the platform expanded its focus on short-form video, enhanced AI moderation tools and strengthened revenue opportunities for creators across regions.

Early Life, Education and Professional Rise

Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan , in 1973, Mohan spent formative years in Lucknow , where he became fluent in Hindi and developed an interest in Sanskrit—later describing parallels between Sanskrit grammar and coding logic. He completed his undergraduate studies and MBA at Stanford University , beginning his career in consulting before joining NetGravity, which was ultimately absorbed into DoubleClick.

Mohan became a key figure in DoubleClick’s sale to Google for $3.1 billion in 2007 , forging a long-term professional association with Susan Wojcicki. After years contributing to YouTube’s product and policy strategy, he succeeded her as CEO in 2023.

Leadership Decisions and Key Milestones

A significant moment during his tenure was YouTube’s $24.5 million settlement in 2025 resolving litigation related to the suspension of Donald Trump’s channel. The resolution, reached without admitting wrongdoing, marked a pivotal step in stabilising the platform’s policy environment.

Exam Oriented Facts

• Neal Mohan became YouTube CEO in 2023 .

• Named TIME CEO of the Year 2025 .

• Key figure in DoubleClick’s $3.1 billion sale to Google.

• Oversaw YouTube’s $24.5 million legal settlement in 2025.