SHOP Names Jessica Hertz COO, Internal Promotion from General Counsel

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Shopify Inc. announced that Jessica Hertz, previously the company's General Counsel, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer effective October 9, 2025. Ms. Hertz, age 43, joined Shopify in 2021 and led global legal, communications, policy, talent, and trust functions as General Counsel. Her background includes roles in the White House, at Facebook, and at Jenner & Block LLP, and she holds a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and an A.B. from Harvard College. The filing states there are no arrangements, family relationships, or reportable transactions requiring disclosure in connection with the appointment.

Positive

• Internal promotion preserves institutional knowledge and continuity
• Cross-functional experience (legal, communications, policy, talent, trust) aligns with COO needs
• No related-party arrangements or reportable transactions were disclosed

Negative

• No disclosure in this filing about who will replace Ms. Hertz as General Counsel
• File lacks detail on COO responsibilities or organizational reporting changes

Insights

Corporate Governance Specialist

Internal promotion to COO preserves continuity across legal and operations functions.

The appointment moves a senior internal executive with cross-functional oversight into an operational leadership role, which can streamline coordination between legal, policy, talent, and trust teams and day-to-day operations. This is a governance-forward choice that keeps institutional knowledge within the executive ranks.

Risks include the operational breadth of the COO role compared with Ms. Hertz's prior legal-focused remit; monitoring near-term operational milestones and any organizational reporting changes over the next 6-12 months will show how responsibilities are redistributed.

HR & Talent Strategy Analyst

Promotion signals internal succession planning and potential shifts in executive talent structure.

Elevating a leader who oversaw talent and communications suggests continuity in culture and fewer disruptions to recruitment and retention programs. Her prior oversight of global teams may help align people strategy with operational priorities.

Watch for announcements about a new General Counsel or changes to reporting lines in the next quarter, since those moves will indicate how leadership bandwidth is reallocated.

8-K Event Classification

Item 5.02 — Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers

1 item

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

________________________________________________

FORM 8-K

________________________________________________

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 9, 2025

________________________________________________

Shopify Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
________________________________________________

Canada

001-37400

98-0486686

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

151 O'Connor Street, Ground Floor

85 10th Ave, Suite 800

Ottawa,

Ontario

New York,

New York

Canada

K2P 2L8

USA

10011

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (613) 241-2828 x 1045

________________________________________________

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: 

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading

Name of each exchange on which registered

Class A Subordinate Voting Shares

SHOP

Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Item 5.02.    Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On October 9, 2025, Shopify Inc. (the “Company” or “Shopify”), a founder-led commerce company, announced the appointment of Jessica Hertz as the Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) of the Company, effective October 9, 2025.

Prior to her appointment as COO, Ms. Hertz, age 43, served as Shopify’s General Counsel and has been with the Company since 2021. As General Counsel, Ms. Hertz oversaw Shopify’s global legal, communications, policy, talent, and trust teams. Prior to joining Shopify, Ms. Hertz held roles in the White House and previously served in positions at Facebook and at the law firm of Jenner & Block LLP. Ms. Hertz holds a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and an A.B. from Harvard College.

There are no arrangements or understandings between Ms. Hertz and any other person pursuant to which Ms. Hertz was appointed as COO of the Company. There are no family relationships between Ms. Hertz and any director or executive officer of the Company, and she has no direct or indirect material interest in any transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

			SHOPIFY INC.
Date: October 9, 2025
			By:			/s/ Michael L. Johnson
						Name: Michael L. Johnson
						Title: Corporate Secretary

FAQ

Who has Shopify (SHOP) appointed as Chief Operating Officer?

Shopify appointed Jessica Hertz as Chief Operating Officer effective October 9, 2025.

What roles did Jessica Hertz hold before becoming COO at Shopify?

Ms. Hertz served as Shopify's General Counsel since 2021 and previously held roles in the White House, at Facebook, and at Jenner & Block LLP.

Are there any related-party transactions or family relationships disclosed with this appointment?

The filing states there are no family relationships and no reportable transactions or arrangements related to the appointment.

What is Jessica Hertz's educational background?

She holds a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School and an A.B. from Harvard College.

When did Jessica Hertz join Shopify?

Ms. Hertz joined Shopify in 2021.