Meg Whitman: Technology Executive and Former CEO of Hewlett-Packard (HP)
Meg Whitman has been a major player in the technology industry for over two decades. For the past several years, she served as the CEO of Hewlett-Packard (HP). She is credited for inspiring innovation, leading initiatives to drive sustainable growth and profitability, and for operational excellence. It’s no wonder why many view her as an inspiration and a role model for up-and-coming technology leaders. Here’s a closer look at Meg Whitman, her inspirational career journey and what she’s done to make a difference in the world of technology.
Early Career
Prior to her appointment at HP, Meg Whitman had a long, successful career at some of the top technology companies in the world. She started her career in 1982, joining the team at The Stride Rite Company as a brand manager. She played an integral role in the development of the company’s first line of athletic shoes.
In 1989, she took a role at Walt Disney Co. as a senior vice president of marketing. She was instrumental in the launch of the international animation studio and the development of animated films such as “The Little Mermaid” and “Beauty and the Beast.”
Whitman left Disney in 1993 and joined Hasbro as president of its Playskool Division. The following year, she joined the team at FTD as the COO and president. As COO and president, she improved the company’s operations and profitability.
Career at eBay
In 1997, Meg Whitman took a role at eBay as its president and CEO. She quickly transformed the company into one of the most successful Internet retailers in the world. Under her leadership, eBay’s revenue grew from $4 million to $8 billion and the number of registered users increased from 1.5 million to over 200 million.
She also introduced eBay’s Buyer Protection Program and made the site more accessible to international users. She also launched PayPal and helped the company become the leading payments platform.
Career at Hewlett-Packard
In 2011, Meg Whitman was appointed as the president and CEO of Hewlett-Packard (HP) and a member of the board of directors. She served in this role until November 2018 and was responsible for steering the company amidst major market shifts.
Under her leadership, HP transitioned from a provider of hardware, software, and services to a more diversified portfolio focused on cloud computing, analytics, and cybersecurity. She also laid out plans to restructure HP, which resulted in the spin-off of the company’s greatest growth areas, such as HPE and HP Inc.
In addition to implementing new strategies, Meg Whitman also implemented a number of changes to strengthen the corporate culture. She initiated a major organizational revamp, restructured roles and responsibilities, and formed a more collaborative approach to decision-making.
Other Professional Ventures
Meg Whitman also made a name for herself outside the technology industry. In 2011, she was appointed as the chairman of DreamWorks Animation. During this time, she worked to create a framework for the studio’s success in a challenging new environment for animation production.
In 2016, Whitman was also appointed as an independent director on the board of Dropbox. As part of the board, she has provided strategic, operational, and financial advice to the company and helped identify growth opportunities.
Philanthropy and Social Causes
Meg Whitman is an active philanthropist and she’s been a major champion of numerous social causes. Her commitment to education and improving opportunities for underserved youth is evident in her work with the DreamWorks Animation Education & Community Impact Program, which provided grants and mentoring to students from diverse backgrounds.
In addition, she has also served as an adviser to the Red Cross and on the board of directors of Teach for America. Her work in these roles saw to it that students around the world have access to quality education and resources needed to succeed.
With her accomplishments in the technology industry, Meg Whitman is without a doubt one of the most influential figures in the world of technology. Her commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability has been no small part of what has helped the industry evolve over the years.
It’s safe to say that Meg Whitman has changed the world of technology for the better and will continue to do so in the years to come. She’s an inspiration to many and her story serves as a reminder that anything is possible when you have the drive and determination to make a difference.
