Sheryl Kara Sandberg (born August 28, 1969) is an American technology executive, philanthropist, and author best known for her role as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook). She is also the founder of LeanIn.Org, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women in leadership and the workplace. Sandberg was a key figure in the growth and profitability of Facebook, having joined the company in 2008 as COO. She oversaw the company’s advertising business, which transformed Facebook into one of the most valuable companies in the world.

Early Life and Education

Sandberg was born in Washington, D.C., to a Jewish family. She is the daughter of Adele (née Einhorn), a college professor, and Joel Sandberg, an ophthalmologist. The family moved to North Miami Beach, Florida, when Sandberg was two. She graduated from North Miami Beach High School in 1987, where she was involved in various leadership roles and activities.

Sandberg went on to attend Harvard University, where she graduated summa cum laude in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. During her time at Harvard, she co-founded the organization Women in Economics and Government. She also worked as a research assistant for Lawrence Summers, who would become a mentor and later help guide her career. Afterward, Sandberg earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1995, graduating with highest distinction.

Career

Early Career

After business school, Sandberg worked as a management consultant at McKinsey & Company. She then worked as Chief of Staff to Lawrence Summers at the U.S. Treasury Department, where she helped manage debt relief programs during the Asian financial crisis. In 2001, she joined Google, where she led global online sales and operations. Her work at Google saw the advertising sales team grow from just four people to thousands, significantly expanding the company’s revenue base.

Facebook / Meta Platforms

In 2008, Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook, hired Sandberg as COO. She was tasked with overseeing the company’s business operations, including sales, marketing, and human resources. Her leadership helped Facebook pivot from a focus on social networking to a highly profitable advertising-based business model. Under her leadership, Facebook’s advertising revenue skyrocketed, making the company one of the most profitable tech giants.

In 2012, Sandberg became the first woman to be appointed to Facebook’s board of directors. That same year, she was named one of Time’s 100 most influential people. Sandberg continued to hold leadership positions at Facebook (later rebranded as Meta) until her resignation as COO in 2022. She cited personal reasons for stepping down, though she remained on Meta’s board.

Books and Advocacy

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead (2013)

• Sandberg’s first book, advocating for women to pursue leadership roles.
• Focuses on societal and self-imposed barriers preventing women from rising to leadership positions.
• Bestseller that ignited global conversations on gender equality in the workplace.
• Criticized for not addressing the challenges faced by working-class women and those with caregiving responsibilities.

Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy (2017)

• Co-authored with Adam Grant.
• Focuses on building resilience after adversity, particularly grief.
• Inspired by Sandberg’s personal experience with the unexpected death of her husband, Dave Goldberg, in 2015.

Ban Bossy Campaign (2014)

• Launched to discourage the use of the word “bossy” when describing girls in leadership roles.
• Aimed to challenge the societal norms that undermine girls’ leadership ambitions.
• Supported by prominent figures such as Beyoncé and Jennifer Garner.

Personal Life

Sandberg has been open about her personal life, including the tragic loss of her husband, Dave Goldberg, in 2015. The two had been married since 2004 and had two children together. Sandberg’s grief and subsequent journey toward resilience were central themes in her book Option B. In 2020, she became engaged to Tom Bernthal, the CEO of Kelton Global, and the couple married in 2022.

Philanthropy and Foundation

In 2016, Sandberg renamed her Lean In Foundation to the Sheryl Sandberg & Dave Goldberg Family Foundation. The foundation, supported by a substantial portion of her Facebook stock, continues to promote the ideals of Lean In and Option B, working on issues such as gender equality and resilience.

Honors and Recognition

Sandberg has been widely recognized for her contributions to business and society. She has been ranked among the “Most Powerful Women in Business” by Fortune and Forbes and has been featured on the Time 100 list. She has received numerous awards for her leadership, including being named one of the “50 Most Powerful Women” by Forbes.

Legacy and Influence

Sandberg’s career is a testament to the importance of leadership in both the corporate world and societal change. Through her work at Facebook, her advocacy for women in leadership, and her philanthropic efforts, Sandberg has made a lasting impact on the business and social landscape. She continues to inspire many with her work on resilience, leadership, and gender equality.