IMDb, the popular online database owned by Amazon that offers information on movies, TV shows, and celebrities, made a big announcement on Tuesday. The company’s founder, Col Needham, is stepping down as CEO. In his place, Nikki Santoro, who has been the chief operating officer since 2021, will take over the role.

This is a significant moment for IMDb, as Santoro will be the first woman to serve as CEO and only the second person to hold the position. Needham started IMDb back in 1990 when he was just 23 years old, and under his leadership, the company became a major player in the entertainment industry. After 35 years, he is moving into a new role as executive chair.

Needham praised Santoro’s accomplishments, stating, “Nikki’s strategic vision, deep understanding of our customers and products, and commitment to innovation have already delivered impressive business results during her tenure as COO. Her track record of driving growth and enhancing our products and services makes her the ideal person to guide IMDb into a new era.”

Santoro joined IMDb in 2016 and has been instrumental in expanding the database and improving IMDbPro membership. Before that, she held leadership roles at Amazon, Microsoft, and The Weather Channel.