Sheryl Kara Sandberg (born August 28, 1969) is an American business executive and writer known for her leadership in the technology sector and public advocacy for women's workplace advancement. For many years she was the chief operating officer of Facebook (later Meta Platforms), and she is widely recognized for her book Lean In and the nonprofit movement it spawned. For additional background see a biographical profile.

Career and background

Sandberg studied at Harvard College and later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School. Early in her career she worked in management consulting and in government service before moving into technology. She joined Google in the early 2000s and was involved in developing online advertising products. In 2008 she became chief operating officer of Facebook, where she helped scale the company’s business operations and advertising model during a period of rapid growth. The company later rebranded as Meta Platforms; her time as COO is often discussed in accounts of that era. More on the company is available at Facebook.

Writing and advocacy

Beyond corporate responsibilities, Sandberg wrote the best-selling book Lean In, which encouraged women to pursue leadership roles and sparked widespread conversation about workplace gender dynamics. She founded LeanIn.Org to provide resources and community support for women’s advancement and often speaks publicly on mentorship, negotiation, and organizational culture.

Impact, recognition, and criticism

Sandberg's influence spans business strategy, philanthropy, and public debate. She has been praised for helping to build sustainable revenue for a major technology company and for elevating discussions about gender and work. She has also faced scrutiny connected to platform governance, privacy, and the broader social impacts of large social networks. Public commentary about her role blends recognition of managerial skill with debate over corporate responsibility.

  • Notable roles: COO of Facebook/Meta, former Google executive.
  • Publications: Author of Lean In and related essays.
  • Advocacy: Founder of LeanIn.Org, supporter of mentoring and workplace equity.

Sandberg remains a prominent figure in conversations about technology leadership, corporate growth strategies, and efforts to improve gender balance in boardrooms and executive ranks.