Amy Pascal, co-chair of Sony Pictures Entertainment, is stepping down in May to work at a production company that she will launch at the studio.

The 20-year veteran of the company has inked a four-year deal with Sony, which will finance the new venture.

The 56-year-old Pascal took heat in the North Korea hacking episode after her embarrassing emails about various celebrities and President Obama became public.

Pascal said she has been talking to SPE CEO Michael Lynton for some time about leaving her post.

"Amy's creativity, drive, and bold choices helped define SPE as a studio where talented individuals could take chances and push boundaries in order to deliver outstanding entertainment," Lynton said in a statement.

He said the studio's "legacy is due in large part to Amy's passion for storytelling and love of this industry."

Pascal is excited about starting a new chapter in her life and said she always wanted to be a producer.