Viking founder Torstein Hagen will step down as CEO.
Hagen, who founded Viking in 1997 and led the company to be the world's biggest river cruise line, will transition to executive chairman and continue serving as chairman of Viking's board of directors.
The board has promoted president and CFO Leah Talactac to CEO. Executive vice president of finance Linh Banh succeeds Talactac as CFO.
The news was shared ahead of Viking's first-quarter earnings call Thursday.
Leah Talactac
Talactac joined Viking in 2006 and has been a key member of the executive team. Alongside Hagen, she led Viking's initial public offering in 2024 and was appointed president in January 2025.
Hagen will focus on long-term company strategy as he supports Talactac in her new role. He praised Talactac, saying that he and the board "have full confidence in her ability to lead Viking with the same continuity, discipline and vision that have guided us since Viking was founded."
"This leadership transition reflects the strength and depth of Viking's management team and the succession planning we have built over many years," he said.