The former COO of Meta Platforms, Sheryl Sandberg, announced on Wednesday on Facebook that she would be leaving her post as a director of the company when her term expires in May. In the post, Sandberg stated, “Meta business is strong and well-positioned for the future, so this feels like the right time to step away.” She also said that she will advise the company.
CEO of Meta Mark Zuckerberg expressed his excitement for “a new chapter together” in response to Sandberg. After serving as the company’s COO for over 14 years and as a board member for 12 years, Sandberg announced her decision. In 2022, Sandberg resigned as the head of operations at company.
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One of the company’s most visible executives and the primary creator of its much-maligned ad-based business model, Sandberg was once second in command to founder Zuckerberg. Throughout Facebook’s numerous scandals, Sandberg has been a steadfast supporter of the company, claiming time and time again that its leaders were improving the company’s capabilities to more effectively filter out offensive content and learning from their mistakes.
Before joining Facebook, Sandberg held the positions of chief of staff for the US Department of the Treasury under the presidency of Bill Clinton and a vice president of worldwide online marketing and operations at Google. Having graduated from Harvard University, Sandberg is a prolific author of multiple books, most notably the feminist declaration “Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead” published in 2013.
Exclusive: Sheryl Sandberg will no longer serve on the board of Meta
The news site has learned that Sheryl Sandberg, the former chief operating officer of Meta, intends to step down from the board of directors. In May, she will join the company as an informal adviser.
Why it is crucial: Sandberg participated in the company at the time it was just Facebook, a tiny startup, and he helped it grow into one of the biggest corporations in the world.
Details: Sandberg announced her resignation on Facebook, writing, “With a heart full of gratitude as well as a mind brimming with thoughts, I permit the Meta board comprehend that I will not be running for another term this May.”
- “After I left my role as COO, I remained on the board to help ensure a successful transition,” Sandberg stated.
- Sandberg acknowledged that CEO Mark Zuckerberg led Meta, saying that he and the group of current leaders “have proven beyond a doubt that the Meta business is strong and well-positioned for the future, so this feels like the right time to step away.”
- “I will always be grateful to Mark for believing in me and for his partnership and friendship; he is that truly once-in-a-generation visionary leader and he is equally amazing as a friend who stays by your side through the good times and the bad,” Sandberg said.
- She also conveyed her appreciation to the board members of Meta in addition to her coworkers and teammates.
What they’re saying: Sandberg has made “extraordinary contributions to our company as well as community over the years,” and Zuckerberg expressed gratitude for them in a comment. “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,” he said.
Quick refresher: Sandberg departed the organization she helped found as a leader in September 2022, following 14 years of service. After leaving, she continued to serve on Meta’s board, a position she had occupied for the previous twelve years.
- Sandberg stated in her resignation announcement that she wanted to concentrate more on charitable endeavors.
- She has devoted more of her time to her women’s leadership charity, Lean In, since departing the firm as an executive.
- Regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict in particular, Sandberg has recently directed attention to the discourse surrounding sexual violence and rape as a weapon of war.
The overall picture: Meta saw a 43,000% increase in revenue about $272 million in the year 2008 to almost $118 billion in the year 2021 under Sandberg’s commercial leadership.
- The entire ad-supported tech sector suffered in the months that followed her departure due to a pandemic-driven slowdown in advertising. However, through significant investments in artificial intelligence, Meta has emerged as one of the few companies that has been able to regain its momentum in the last year.
- Three executives, Justin Osofsky (head of online sales), Nicola Mendelsohn (global business lead), and Javi Olivan (chief operating officer), shared responsibility for Sandberg’s sales and operations.
- In the most recent quarter to be made public, the company’s revenues within that new board of directors reached an all-time high.
From the lines: Sandberg’s advocacy for reform at work in Silicon Valley is part of her lasting impact as a business leader. She was instrumental in bringing Meta’s policies on family planning assistance, paternity leave, and bereavement leave up to date. The majority of significant US tech companies have since implemented those changes.
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