Meta Appoints UFC's Dana White and Others to Its Board of Directors
MENLO PARK - Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:META) has announced the appointment of three new members to its board of directors, expanding its leadership team with significant figures from the sports, investment, and technology sectors. Dana White, John Elkann, and Charlie Songhurst have been elected to the board, bringing various areas of expertise to the social media giant.
Dana White, President and CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), expressed his excitement about joining Meta's board and emphasized his belief in the future of social media and artificial intelligence (AI). White's leadership has been instrumental in transforming UFC into a global sports powerhouse, and his efforts have been recognized by leading industry publications.
John Elkann, CEO of Exor, brings a broad global experience and a long-term investment perspective to the board. Elkann has played a significant role in the automotive sector by contributing to the success of companies such as Ferrari and Stellantis and has become a key player in the investment community through Exor and investment management company Lingotto.
Charlie Songhurst, an experienced technology investor who has invested in over 500 startups, adds extensive knowledge in corporate SaaS, AI, and deep technology. His experience managing major acquisitions during his tenure as Vice President and Head of Global Corporate Strategy at Microsoft underscores his strategic capabilities.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, highlighted that the depth of expertise and perspectives provided by the trio is critical for the company's goals related to AI, wearable technologies, and human connectivity. The addition of White, Elkann, and Songhurst to the board is seen as a strategic move to strengthen Meta's leadership in the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
The new appointments join an already diverse group of board members from leading figures across various sectors, including technology, finance, and retail. Expanding the board in this way is part of Meta's efforts to integrate diverse insights and experiences to promote innovation and growth.