[4] After receiving their first computer at approximately age 10–12, Pappas began learning basic coding in high school.

[4] They earned Master of Arts degrees in media from the University of Queensland in Brisbane and The New School in New York City,[7] graduating from the latter in 2007.

[13] They first joined the parent company ByteDance as a strategic advisor,[9] and became TikTok's general manager for the U.S. one month later.

[12] In July 2019, Pappas was promoted to the role of general manager for North America, Australia, and New Zealand.

[1][17] During their tenure, Pappas was seen as a public face for TikTok in the U.S.,[1] and represented the company at a U.S. Senate hearing in late 2022.

[24] They were also named Digital Executive of the Year by Adweek in 2021,[12] and included in Fortune's 2022 list of the most powerful women.