Mark Zuckerberg, Chairman and CEO of Meta, announced the entry of John Elkann on the company's board of directors.
Through a post on Facebook, Zuckerberg said: “I’m thrilled to kick off the year with some news we’ve been working on for a while: Dana White, John Elkann and Charlie Songhurst are joining Meta’s board of directors.Article Key Points
We have tremendous opportunities ahead of us in artificial intelligence, wearables and the future of social media, and our board will help us realize our vision.”
Profiles of the new councilors
Zuckerberg provided details on the three new board members. Regarding Dana White, he said: “Dana is the Chairman and CEO of the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), which he has transformed into one of the most valuable, fastest growing and most popular sports companies in the world. I admire him as an entrepreneur and for his ability to build such a beloved brand.”
Speaking about Elkann, Zuckerberg highlighted: “John is CEO of Exor and Chairman of two of Exor’s automotive businesses, Stellantis and Ferrari. He has deep experience in managing large global companies and brings an international perspective to our board.”
Finally, regarding Charlie Songhurst, he said: “Charlie is a technology investor who previously led strategy teams at Microsoft. Last year, he joined the Meta Advisory Group to advise on our AI and technology roadmaps, and I’m thrilled to add him to our board of directors.” Concluding, Zuckerberg exclaimed, “I look forward to working with Dana, Charlie, and John. 2025 will be a big year for Meta, and I’m thrilled to have them on board!”
Elkann's approach
John Elkann commented on his appointment, stating: “I am honored to be able to contribute to the future of one of the most significant companies of the 21st century.” He added: “I am pleased to bring my global experience and long-term perspective to the board, as Meta continues to shape and push the boundaries of innovation and technology.”
Elkann, in addition to his role as CEO of Exor, is executive chairman of Ferrari and Stellantis. Exor's portfolio includes companies of notable importance such as Ferrari, Stellantis, Cnh, Philips, Christian Louboutin and Juventus Football Club.
In 2023, he founded Lingotto, an investment management firm focused on long-term investments. Elkann is also known for his involvement in venture capital and for launching the Italian Tech Week, one of the most important technology conferences in Europe. He is also the chairman of the Agnelli Foundation and a board member of MoMA.
Article published on 7 January 2025 - 08:18
John Elkann joining the board of Meta is an important step, but I am not sure if this choice will lead to positive results. It is important to see how things will develop in the future and what impact it will have on Meta.