Meta Names Former Trump Adviser Dina Powell McCormick as President and Vice Chairman

In a major leadership reshuffle with strategic and political implications, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has appointed Dina Powell McCormick as its President and Vice Chairman. The announcement, made on 12 January 2026, comes as Meta accelerates its multi-billion dollar investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and seeks to strengthen its global policy and financial strategy. The move has drawn attention not only because of Powell McCormick’s corporate credentials but also due to her close association with the Trump administration, highlighting the evolving relationship between Big Tech and US political leadership.

Why in News?

Meta has appointed Dina Powell McCormick, a former senior adviser in the Trump administration, as its President and Vice Chairman on 12 January 2026.

Role and Responsibilities at Meta

In her new executive role, Dina Powell McCormick will help guide Meta’s overall corporate strategy, with a particular focus on,

• Execution of large-scale global investments
• Advancing Meta’s AI-driven growth agenda
• Strengthening relationships with governments, investors and global stakeholders

Meta stated that her appointment is aimed at reinforcing strategic decision-making at the highest level, especially as the company expands its presence in emerging technologies such as generative AI, data infrastructure and digital platforms.

Transition from Board to Management

• Powell McCormick had earlier served on Meta’s board of directors, where the company noted that she was deeply engaged in accelerating its AI initiatives across platforms.
• According to regulatory filings, she resigned from the board in December 2025, just eight months after joining, to take up the executive management role.
• This transition from board oversight to operational leadership reflects Meta’s confidence in her ability to translate strategic vision into execution.

Background and Professional Experience

Dina Powell McCormick brings a rare combination of government, finance and corporate leadership experience. She is a veteran of two US presidential administrations and has served in,

• The White House
• The US State Department under President George W. Bush
• As a national security adviser at the start of Trump’s first term

In the private sector, she spent 16 years at Goldman Sachs in senior leadership roles. Most recently, she served as Vice Chair, President and Head of Global Client Services at BDT & MSD Partners. She has also held board positions at major corporations, including Exxon Mobil.

Political and Corporate Connections

Powell McCormick is married to David McCormick, a US Senator with prior experience in the Commerce and Treasury Departments and former CEO of Bridgewater Associates. Her deep ties to finance and politics further strengthen Meta’s ability to navigate regulatory, geopolitical and economic challenges.

Why This Appointment Matters

• This development is significant for several reasons. Strategically, it strengthens Meta’s leadership at a time when AI investment, regulation and global competition are intensifying.
• Politically, it reflects how major technology companies are recalibrating relationships with governments amid growing scrutiny over data, content moderation and national security.
• For exam aspirants, the news is relevant in the context of corporate governance, tech–politics interface, and global business leadership trends.

Key Summary At Glance

Question

Q. Who has been appointed as President and Vice Chairman of Meta in January 2026?

A. Sheryl Sandberg
B. Susan Wojcicki
C. Dina Powell McCormick
D. Dana White