Sheryl Sandberg, Meta’s former chief operating officer, has announced her decision to step down from the board of directors overseeing Facebook and Instagram, Meta’s popular social media platforms. Her resignation follows a 12-year stint at the Big Tech company.
While announcing her exit, Sandberg stated, “After I left my role as COO, I remained on the board to help ensure a successful transition.” Emphasizing the strength and promising future of the Meta business, she expressed that “this feels like the right time to step away.” The departure is set to take effect in May, marking the end of an influential era for Sandberg within Meta.
Despite not seeking re-election to Meta’s board in May, Sandberg confirmed her intention to continue serving as an adviser. Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s chief executive, expressed gratitude in a Facebook post, acknowledging Sandberg’s “extraordinary contributions” to the company and community throughout the years.
The 54-year-old executive stepped down as Meta’s chief operating officer in June 2022, concluding a 14-year tenure which marked an unexpected departure that saw Zuckerberg losing one of his closest allies.
Sandberg, a key figure in Facebook’s early days, played a pivotal role in its transformation from a revenue-less startup to a digital advertising giant. Her departure in 2022 left a significant void and reshaped the dynamics within Meta. Recognized as one of Silicon Valley’s leading women, Sandberg advocated for women in the workplace, notably through her influential work, “Lean In,” which served as a feminist call to arms.
Read More: Meta to shutdown Facebook newsfeed tab in some countries by December 2023
Sheryl Sandberg’s controversial legacy and post-Facebook activism
Sheryl was a controversial figure because of her role in making Facebook’s ads big and other controversies during her time, like downplaying its involvement in the Capitol storming on January 6, 2021. She left Facebook during a tough time, with scandals like the Cambridge Analytica issue and Russian disinformation in 2016. Facebook’s share price dropped due to more competition and slower growth. Zuckerberg changed the company’s name to Meta to focus on the “metaverse,” but this move got a lot of criticism.
After leaving Facebook, there were rumours that she might enter politics. She’s been active against abortion bans, giving $3 million to the American Civil Liberties Union, and working with Israeli officials to combat sexual violence in the conflict with Hamas. She also spends time on philanthropy, running a leadership program called Lean In Girls.
Sheryl Sandberg’s formative years: A prelude to academic excellence and community engagement
In a report by Business Insider, Sheryl Sandberg, born on August 28, 1969, in Washington, D.C., hails from a family deeply involved in community service. Her parents, an ophthalmologist father and a mother teaching French, actively contributed to the South Florida Conference on Soviet Jewry, providing refuge for Soviet Jews escaping antisemitism.
Moving to North Miami Beach at a young age, Sheryl excelled in school, navigating societal expectations for girls. Despite challenges, she embraced her intellect, participating in the National Honor Society and teaching aerobics in high school. Her academic journey led her to Harvard University, where she majored in economics and collaborated with future Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, who became a crucial mentor.
After graduating in 1991, Sandberg worked at the World Bank, contributing to efforts combating leprosy in India. A brief return to Harvard for an MBA preceded a year at McKinsey & Company, a global consulting firm. Her parents’ influence on relationships led to an early marriage at 24, which ended in divorce after a year.
Following Summers to D.C., Sandberg became his chief of staff after the 2000 election. However, a pivotal decision led her to Silicon Valley, joining the burgeoning tech industry. At the time, though small and unprofitable, Google attracted her with its mission to “make the world’s information freely available.” Sandberg’s journey unfolded as she transitioned from her early years in D.C. to leadership in Silicon Valley.
In 2007 Zuckerberg offered her the position of Facebook’s Chief Operating Officer.
Read More: Facebook News tab to be discontinued in the UK, Germany and France by December
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