The Associated Press (AP) — Meta has announced the appointment of three individuals to its board of directors, adding significant expertise and diverse backgrounds to the leadership team. Among the new board members is Dana White, the President and CEO of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), known for his prominent role within the realm of incoming President Donald Trump.
Meta, the parent company of popular social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, revealed that alongside White, auto industry magnate John Elkann and technology investor Charlie Songhurst will also be joining the board. Meta’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, shared this development in a Facebook post on Monday evening.
Dana White’s connection with Donald Trump traces back to the early 2000s when he hosted a UFC event at the Trump Taj Mahal, the former casino-hotel owned by the Republican figure in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Over the years, Trump and White have been seen together at various UFC matches, with their association notably highlighted during Trump’s 2024 electoral campaign as he sought to engage with a younger demographic, particularly male voters.
White, reciprocally, has actively participated in Republican conventions, making speaking appearances at the 2016, 2020, and 2024 events. His presence at Trump’s election night celebration in November, where he addressed the gathered supporters, underscores the close relationship between the two figures. Zuckerberg commended White for his exceptional entrepreneurial skills in transforming UFC into a highly esteemed, rapidly expanding, and widely popular sports entity, lauding his achievement in establishing a beloved brand.
In a surprising revelation, Zuckerberg disclosed his own involvement in the realm of mixed martial arts, hinting at a potential showdown with fellow billionaire Elon Musk in a proposed “cage match” slated for 2023, a bout that never materialized.
John Elkann, a distinguished addition to Meta’s board, serves as the CEO of Exor, an investment firm based in the Netherlands, and holds chairmanship positions in two prominent automotive companies, Stellantis and Ferrari. Zuckerberg emphasized Elkann’s extensive experience in steering large multinational corporations and underscored his valuable international perspective that he brings to the board’s strategic deliberations.
Another newcomer to Meta’s board, Charlie Songhurst, previously contributed his talents at Microsoft before commencing his advisory role with Meta in the sphere of artificial intelligence last year. Songhurst’s expertise in technology investments is anticipated to provide valuable insights as Meta continues to explore advancements in AI technologies under his guidance.
These appointments signal Meta’s commitment to fostering a diverse and knowledgeable leadership team, poised to navigate the evolving landscape of technology and social media. With the addition of Dana White, John Elkann, and Charlie Songhurst, Meta bolsters its board with a blend of industry expertise, strategic vision, and diverse perspectives that are poised to drive the company forward in its mission to shape the future of online connectivity and engagement.
