Early Life and Education
Meg Whitman was born on August 4, 1956, in Huntington, New York. She graduated from Cold Spring Harbor High School in 1974. She attended Princeton University, where she studied economics and graduated with honors in 1977. She earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1979.
Rise to Success
Whitman began her career in brand management at Procter & Gamble. She later joined Bain & Company as a consultant, eventually becoming a vice president. Whitman gained significant recognition during her tenure as the President and CEO of eBay from 1998 to 2008. During her leadership, eBay experienced substantial growth, transforming from a company with approximately 30 employees and $4 million in revenue to a global organization with over 11,000 employees and $8 billion in annual revenue.
In 2011, Whitman became the CEO of Hewlett-Packard (HP). During her time at HP, she oversaw the company's split into HP Inc. and Hewlett Packard Enterprise in 2015. Whitman stepped down as HP's chief executive in February 2018.
Key Business Strategies
Whitman's leadership style is marked by strategic vision, strong communication skills, and decisive decision-making. During her time at eBay, she focused on building a strong brand and connecting people. At HP, she worked to restructure the company and improve efficiency.
Philanthropy
Whitman, along with her husband Dr. Griffith Harsh IV, established the Griffith R. Harsh IV and Margaret C Whitman Charitable Foundation in December 2006. The foundation supports various causes, particularly in education and environmental conservation.