Sheryl Sandberg, the former longtime chief operating officer of Meta, announced on Wednesday that she will not seek re-election to the company's board of directors in May. This decision marks the end of her remarkable 14-year tenure in a formal role at the social networking giant. Although she stepped down as Meta's COO in 2022, Sandberg remained on the nine-seat board until now. In a heartfelt post on her personal Facebook page, she expressed her gratitude and reminisced about her time at the company. Sandberg assured her followers that she would still be involved with Meta as an advisor, stating that she would "always be there to help the Meta teams."

Sandberg's departure from the board comes as no surprise, considering her extensive contribution to the company. Mark Zuckerberg, Meta's CEO and founder, praised her instrumental role in driving the company's success. Sandberg joined Facebook's board of directors in 2012, during a time when the company faced criticism for its lack of diversity. Her appointment aimed to address this issue and bring more female representation to the board. Prior to joining Facebook, Sandberg had made a name for herself as Google's vice president of global online sales and operations. She also held senior positions at the World Bank and the Treasury Department during the Clinton administration.

During her tenure as Meta's COO, Sandberg oversaw the company's expansion into digital advertising, playing a pivotal role in transforming it into a multibillion-dollar enterprise. Her efforts in courting big brands and small businesses helped Facebook monetize its platform successfully. Sandberg's achievements elevated her status as one of the highest-profile female executives in the business world. In fact, she went on to write a best-selling book, "Lean In," which chronicled her experiences and aimed to empower women in the workplace.

However, Sandberg's time at Meta was not without challenges. The company faced intense scrutiny during the 2016 U.S. presidential election when it was revealed that Russians had manipulated its platforms to spread misinformation. Additionally, Meta's privacy and data-collection practices drew regulatory attention, further complicating Sandberg's tenure.

In her Facebook post, Sandberg explained that she plans to focus more on philanthropic work after leaving Meta's board. Her philanthropic organization, Lean In, aims to support women in achieving their goals in the workplace and corporate culture. Sandberg's book of the same name played a significant role in catapulting her to celebrity status when it was published in 2013.

Sandberg's departure from Meta's board marks the end of an era. Her partnership with Zuckerberg helped propel Facebook's revenue from $150 million in 2007 to over $3.7 billion in 2011, just before the company went public. Her influence extended beyond the company's financial success, as she became one of the most influential women in the tech industry. By the time Sandberg stepped down as COO in 2022, Meta had achieved total annual revenue of $116.6 billion, and its share price had skyrocketed by more than 860% since its initial public offering in 2012.

As Sandberg bids farewell to her formal role at Meta, her legacy as a trailblazing executive and advocate for women's empowerment will undoubtedly endure. Although she may no longer hold a seat on the board, her impact on the company and the tech industry as a whole will continue to be felt.