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Sheryl Sandberg, Meta’s former COO, is leaving the board of directors. Sandberg, one of the most prominent women in the technology industry, stated that “this feels like the right time to step away” because Meta is “well-positioned for the future”. She will continue to serve as an informal advisor to the company.
Sheryl Sandberg helped transform the company’s advertising business into a profit powerhouse
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg thanked her for her “extraordinary contributions” to the company.
Sandberg joined the company when it was a small startup called Facebook. She was a Google veteran who helped transform the company’s advertising business into a profit powerhouse as it expanded to include Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger.
Her books, including Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, which she described as a “sort of feminist manifesto,” propelled her to international fame.
Under her leadership, the company faced widespread criticism, including misinformation during the 2016 presidential election, the Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal in 2018, and the Capitol riot in 2021.
On Wednesday, she wrote on Facebook that she has a “heart filled with gratitude and a mind filled with memories” about her departure.
She described serving as Facebook and Meta’s COO for over 14 years, as well as a board member for 12 years, as “the opportunity of a lifetime”.
Shortly after Ms Sandberg’s announcement, Mr Zuckerberg responded briefly.
“Thank you Sheryl for the extraordinary contributions you have made to our company and community over the years,” he commented on her post. “Your dedication and guidance have been instrumental in driving our success, and I am grateful for your unwavering commitment to me and Meta over the years.”
Meta is facing new challenges as countries tighten social media regulations and iPhone maker Apple changes its privacy policies, affecting the social media company’s targeted advertising business.
Facebook’s growth in key markets, such as the United States, has stalled, and the company has lost younger users to rivals like TikTok.