Sheryl Sandberg, who stepped down as Meta’s chief operating officer (COO) in June 2022, recently announced her retirement from the company’s board of directors, bringing an end to her 12-year affiliation with the internet giant.
According to the Financial Times, Sandberg’s exit this time has cut all links with Meta, where she was previously the right-hand woman of co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
In a Facebook post, Sandberg stated that she left Meta because she believed it was time to begin a new chapter in her life. She also thanked Zuckerberg and her colleagues at Meta for giving her the opportunity to advance her career and make a difference in the world.
“I will be forever thankful to Mark Zuckerberg for his trust, collaboration, and friendship. He is a true visionary leader, as well as a good friend who has supported me through thick and thin,” Sandberg added.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, paid tribute to Sandberg in his own Facebook post. He said Sandberg was a vital character in Meta’s development and will be recognized for her important achievements.
“Sandberg’s passion and leadership were key to our success. I am appreciative for her unwavering dedication to both me and Meta over the years. “Let us look forward to the next chapter together,” Zuckerberg wrote.
Sandberg joined Meta in 2008, when it was still a start-up. During her tenure, Meta expanded into one of the world’s most valuable tech companies, with a peak market valuation of $1 trillion in 2021.
Sandberg also rose to prominence in Silicon Valley, establishing herself as a champion of women in the workplace and an advocate for feminism.
However, Sandberg’s exit coincided with a tough era for Meta. The corporation is dealing with a variety of difficulties, including data privacy concerns, disinformation, and increased competition from rivals such as TikTok.
When Sandberg departed Meta, Javier Olivan took over as COO, having previously served as Meta’s chief growth officer. Since leaving Meta, Sandberg has spent the most of her time working on her charity company, Lean In, which focuses on encouraging women in the workplace and other initiatives.
