By Scott Richards — January 13, 2026
Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, made a bold leadership move this week by appointing Dina Powell McCormick as its new President and Vice Chairman, underscoring the company’s deepening focus on large‑scale infrastructure investment and artificial intelligence development.
Powell McCormick, a seasoned executive with a long résumé in both global finance and Republican administrations, will work closely with CEO Mark Zuckerberg to guide Meta’s overarching strategy — especially as the tech giant continues to pour hundreds of billions of dollars into AI infrastructure and data centers across the United States.
In an official announcement, Meta said Powell McCormick would join the company’s management team to help shape execution on major investments and partnerships with governments and capital markets. Zuckerberg praised her “experience at the highest levels of global finance” and her “deep relationships around the world,” framing her hire as a fit for Meta’s ambitious growth phase.
Her appointment aligns with Meta’s ongoing efforts to expand its AI Compute initiative — a multi‑year strategy aimed at building vast computing capacity to support next‑generation artificial intelligence systems and services. This initiative includes building tens of gigawatts of power for data centers and securing long‑term energy agreements — moves that require extensive coordination with government and industry stakeholders.
Powell McCormick’s background is a blend of public service and private‑sector prowess. She previously served as Deputy National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump and held senior roles in the Bush administration, including at the State Department. She also spent 16 years at Goldman Sachs as a partner and executive, giving her experience that spans global finance and public‑policy arenas.
The hire has drawn applause from conservative political circles. President Trump took to social media platform Truth Social to call the move a “great choice” by Zuckerberg and praised her service during his administration.
But the leadership change also raises questions about Meta’s political and regulatory positioning. Powell McCormick is married to U.S. Senator David McCormick (R‑Pa.), a connection that has prompted scrutiny over potential ethical concerns given Meta’s expanding footprint and legislative engagement.
Meta’s senior leadership has seen notable shifts in recent years, with the company doubling down on U.S. investments and strategic public‑sector relationships as it transitions from its social‑media roots into a broader technology powerhouse. This appointment, industry analysts say, marks a clear signal that Meta intends to leverage seasoned policy and finance expertise as it takes on some of the most capital‑intensive projects in the tech sector.
Scott Richards is a technology journalist covering innovation, cybersecurity, and the policy issues shaping the digital economy.
