In a major strategic move, Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, has appointed Dina Powell McCormick, a veteran of Wall Street and the White House, to a newly created top executive role. She will serve as the company's President and Vice Chairman, reporting directly to CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
A Strategic Hire for Meta's AI Ambitions
Powell McCormick's primary mandate will be to oversee Meta's overarching strategy, with a laser focus on building out its artificial intelligence infrastructure. A key part of her role involves forging strategic partnerships with governments and investors worldwide to secure funding for massive data center and AI projects. This appointment signals Meta's intense commitment to winning the global AI race and scaling its technological capabilities.
Decades of Finance and Government Expertise
The new Meta president brings over 25 years of high-level experience across finance, public service, and economic development to the table. She spent an impressive 16 years at Goldman Sachs, where she rose to serve on the firm's Management Committee and led its Global Sovereign Investment Banking division. During her tenure, she was instrumental in launching impactful initiatives like 10,000 Women, 10,000 Small Businesses, and One Million Black Women, aimed at fostering economic growth.
Her public service credentials are equally formidable. Powell McCormick served two U.S. presidents in critical roles. Under President George W. Bush, she was a Senior White House Advisor and Assistant Secretary of State. Later, during the Trump administration, she held the position of Deputy National Security Advisor, shaping global strategy and security policy.
Familiarity with Meta's Operations
Immediately prior to joining Meta, Powell McCormick was the Vice Chair, President, and Head of Global Client Services at investment firm BDT & MSD Partners. Crucially, she is not a stranger to Meta's boardroom. She briefly served on Meta's board of directors before resigning in December, giving her valuable insider knowledge of the company's challenges and operational dynamics as she steps into this powerful new role.
Her appointment is a clear statement from Mark Zuckerberg. As Meta pours billions of dollars into AI and infrastructure, it needs a leader who can navigate complex international landscapes, secure large-scale capital, and guide the company's next phase of global expansion. Powell McCormick's unique blend of Wall Street savvy and Washington connections makes her a pivotal figure in Meta's future.
