Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Sheryl Sandberg
How Sheryl Sandberg built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Sheryl Sandberg is an American technology executive, philanthropist, and author notable for her role as the former COO of Meta Platforms (Facebook). She is also the founder of LeanIn.Org, an organization focused on empowering women. Sandberg joined Facebook in 2008 as COO and is credited with scaling Facebook's advertising business and driving its profitability. She also became the first woman to serve on Facebook's board. Before Facebook, Sandberg held executive positions at Google, including VP of Global Online Sales and Operations, and was involved with Google.org. Earlier in her career, she worked as a research assistant at the World Bank and as Chief of Staff to Lawrence Summers when he was the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.
1995: Worked at McKinsey & Company
After graduating from business school in the spring of 1995, Sheryl Sandberg worked as a management consultant for McKinsey & Company for approximately one year (1995-1996).
1996: Worked as Chief of Staff for Lawrence Summers
From 1996 to 2001 Sheryl Sandberg worked as chief of staff for Lawrence Summers, who was then serving as the United States Secretary of the Treasury under President Bill Clinton.
2001: End of time as Chief of Staff for Lawrence Summers
From 1996 to 2001 Sheryl Sandberg worked as chief of staff for Lawrence Summers, who was then serving as the United States Secretary of the Treasury under President Bill Clinton, ending her time in 2001.
2008: Made COO at Facebook
In 2008, Sheryl Sandberg became Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Facebook, becoming the company's second-highest-ranking official.
2008: Wrote Article for The Huffington Post
In 2008, Sheryl Sandberg wrote an article for The Huffington Post in support of her mentor, Larry Summers, who was under fire for his comments about women.
2009: Named to the Board of The Walt Disney Company
In 2009, Sheryl Sandberg was named to the board of The Walt Disney Company.
2010: Facebook Became Profitable
By 2010, under Sandberg's leadership, Facebook became profitable.
June 2012: Elected to Facebook's Board of Directors
In June 2012, Sheryl Sandberg was elected to Facebook's board of directors, making her the first woman to serve on the board.
2012: Oversaw Facebook's Business Operations
According to Facebook, as of 2012 Sheryl Sandberg oversaw the firm's business operations including sales, marketing, business development, human resources, public policy, and communications.
2012: Became Member of Facebook's Board of Directors
In 2012, Sheryl Sandberg became the eighth member (and the first woman) of Facebook's board of directors.
March 11, 2013: Released "Lean In"
On March 11, 2013, Sheryl Sandberg released her first book, "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead," co-authored by Nell Scovell and published by Knopf.
March 2014: Sponsored Ban Bossy Campaign
In March 2014, Sheryl Sandberg and Lean In sponsored the Ban Bossy campaign, a television and social media campaign designed to discourage the word bossy from general use due to its perceived harmful effect on young girls.
September 2015: Signed Open Letter for ONE Campaign
In September 2015, Sheryl Sandberg signed an open letter which the ONE Campaign had been collecting signatures for, addressed to Angela Merkel and Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, urging them to focus on women as they serve as the head of the G7 in Germany and the AU in South Africa respectively.
November 2016: Renamed Lean In Foundation
In November 2016, Sheryl Sandberg renamed her Lean In Foundation to the Sheryl Sandberg & Dave Goldberg Family Foundation, after herself and her late husband, and transferred roughly $100,000,000 in Facebook stock to fund the foundation and other charitable endeavors.
April 2017: Released Option B
In April 2017, Sheryl Sandberg released her second book, Option B, co-authored with Adam Grant, focusing on grief and resilience. 2.75 million copies have been sold since publication.
June 1, 2022: Announcement of Leaving Meta as COO
On June 1, 2022, Sheryl Sandberg announced she would be leaving Meta as COO in the fall of 2022 but would remain on the board of directors.
August 2022: Stepped Down as COO of Meta
In August 2022, Sheryl Sandberg stepped down from her position as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Meta Platforms.
2022: Announcement of Stepping Down as Meta COO
In 2022, Sheryl Sandberg announced that she would be stepping down as Meta COO in the fall, but would remain on its board.
January 2024: Announcement of Stepping Down from Board
In January 2024, Sheryl Sandberg announced that she would be stepping down from the board in May and not running for re-election.
January 2024: Announcement of not standing for re-election
In January 2024, Sheryl Sandberg announced that she would not stand for re-election on the board in May 2024.
May 2024: Not Standing for Re-election
In May 2024, Sheryl Sandberg did not stand for re-election on the board.
