Bumble Restructures Leadership, CPO Michael Affronti Departs

Bumble is undergoing a significant leadership restructuring as the dating app company seeks to stabilize its core business and return to growth. In a move announced via an internal memo, Chief Product Officer Michael Affronti has departed the company after just one year in the role.

The decision, described by CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd as a mutual agreement, is designed to centralize product, engineering, and design functions under a single leader. This strategic pivot comes during what Herd called a "year of meaningful transformation" for the company, following a challenging period marked by a significant stock decline.

The departure of Michael Affronti marks a notable shift in Bumble's executive structure. Affronti, who joined the company in January 2025, was one of the few remaining executives hired during the tenure of former CEO Lidiane Jones. His exit follows a period of significant turnover at the company's highest levels.

After founder Whitney Wolfe Herd announced her return as CEO in 2025, a string of executives departed, including the company's Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Legal Officer, and Chief Business Officer. With Affronti's departure, David Ard, the company's Chief People Officer, is now the only C-suite executive remaining who was hired before Herd officially took over in March 2025.

In her memo to staff, Herd expressed gratitude for Affronti's contributions, stating he had been a "strong leadership presence" across the organization. Affronti previously served as a senior vice president and general manager at Salesforce, the same company from which his predecessor, Jones, was recruited.

The restructuring consolidates Product, Engineering, and Design under a single leader to create tighter alignment and a singular focus. Stepping into this expanded role is Vivek Sagi, previously Bumble's Chief Technology Officer, who now holds the title of Chief Product and Technology Officer.

Sagi, who is based in Austin where much of Bumble's engineering talent is concentrated, brings a proven track record of leading combined product and engineering teams at scale. Herd highlighted his deep involvement in the company's strategic and technical direction, noting his "results oriented, steady, thoughtful approach."

According to Herd, this consolidation is intended to provide clarity and enable the company to move faster while delivering more value to its members. Sagi is expected to connect with leaders across the product division in the coming days to ensure a smooth transition.

The leadership change comes after what Herd described as a period of intense strategic review. "Over the past several weeks, and in close partnership with our Board, we've taken a hard, honest look at where our business stands and what our members need from us right now," she wrote to employees.

The conclusion of this review was a clear need to "sharpen our focus" to stabilize the core business, prioritize product investments with intention, and set the stage for a confident return to growth. This strategic clarity follows a difficult period for the company's financial performance.

Bumble faced significant market challenges throughout 2025, with its stock price falling by 52.35% over the last year. The company's three operational hubs in London, New York, and Austin remain central to its strategy as it moves forward with this renewed focus on discipline and outcomes.

Despite the significant change, both leaders expressed optimism for Bumble's future. In response to Herd's memo, Affronti shared his own note with the company's staff, affirming his belief in the company's mission and its potential for growth.

I have a strong, enduring belief in Bumble's mission and in our ability to return to growth and become a truly massive, category-defining business.

Affronti added that he felt "incredibly positive" about the direction the company is heading and the clarity now available to its teams. He indicated he will now be "cheering loudly from the outside" as the company executes on its new strategy.

Herd concluded her message by emphasizing the resilience and ambition of Bumble's talent as the key differentiator. She outlined a commitment to building an environment where employees can do the most impactful work of their careers, with the path forward requiring discipline, pace, and a shared commitment to outcomes.

Bumble's leadership restructuring signals a decisive move to streamline operations and refocus on core product development. By consolidating key functions under Vivek Sagi, the company aims to accelerate its roadmap and enhance value for its members.

The transition comes at a critical juncture for the dating app giant, which is navigating a competitive market and seeking to reverse a trend of declining stock value. The effectiveness of this new, unified leadership structure will be a key factor in Bumble's ability to stabilize its business and return to a growth trajectory in the coming year.