Meta Platforms announced Monday that Dina Powell McCormick has joined the company as president and vice chairman, a newly created executive role designed to accelerate the social media giant's ambitious artificial intelligence expansion and infrastructure partnerships.
The appointment marks a significant leadership addition as Meta pursues what CEO Mark Zuckerberg describes as the development of "personal superintelligence" through massive capital investments and strategic government collaborations.axios
Powell McCormick, who served as deputy national security adviser during President Donald Trump's first administration, brings extensive experience from both Wall Street and government to her new position.
The 16-year Goldman Sachs veteran most recently held the role of vice chair, president and global head of client services at BDT & MSD Partners, a Chicago-based merchant banking firm. She briefly served on Meta's board of directors from April through December 2024 before resigning to assume the broader operational role.hindustantimes
Strategic focus on AI infrastructure and sovereign partnerships
Zuckerberg emphasized that Powell McCormick's expertise in global finance and international relationships positions her uniquely to guide Meta through its next growth phase.
According to the CEO, she "will be involved in all of Meta's work, with a particular focus on partnering with governments and sovereigns to build, deploy, invest in, and finance Meta's AI and infrastructure".theverge
The appointment comes as Meta dramatically escalates its artificial intelligence investments. The company has committed over $600 billion through 2028 to construct AI-optimized data centers across the United States, with plans to bring 1 gigawatt of computing power online in 2026 through its Prometheus supercluster project in Ohio.
A second massive project, Hyperion, is being developed in Louisiana with potential capacity scaling to 5 gigawatts.communicateonline
Powell McCormick will join Meta's executive team to help shape overall strategy and execution, with specific responsibility for ensuring the company's multi-billion-dollar infrastructure investments align with objectives and deliver economic benefits to local communities.
She will also lead efforts to establish strategic capital partnerships and explore innovative financing methods to enhance Meta's long-term investment capabilities.bloomberg
Nuclear energy deals underscore infrastructure ambitions
Just days before Powell McCormick's appointment was announced, Meta revealed partnerships with three nuclear energy companies—Vistra, TerraPower, and Oklo—to secure up to 6.6 gigawatts of power for its AI data centers.
The agreements, which could represent billions of dollars in total value, include both existing nuclear facilities and new reactor projects expected to come online between 2030 and 2035.cnbc
The nuclear strategy reflects Meta's determination to secure reliable, carbon-free energy sources to support AI infrastructure growth. "If we are unable to generate more electricity, that could hurt the ability of AI to grow faster," explained Urvi Parekh, Meta's head of global energy.
The company aims to achieve superintelligence—AI systems that significantly outperform humans across various tasks—while maintaining commitments to become water-positive by 2030 and operate with 100% renewable energy.carboncredits
Distinguished career spanning finance and government
Powell McCormick's professional background spans three decades in public service and business leadership. At Goldman Sachs, where she served as a partner and member of the management committee, she held senior roles including global head of the sovereign business and global head of sustainability and inclusive growth.
As president of the Goldman Sachs Foundation, she led the development of major economic empowerment initiatives including 10,000 Women, 10,000 Small Businesses, and One Million Black Women—programs that have impacted tens of thousands of entrepreneurs globally.hks.harvard
Her government service includes positions as assistant to the president for presidential personnel, assistant secretary of state under President George W. Bush, and deputy national security adviser in Trump's first administration.
Born in Cairo, Egypt, and immigrating to the United States as a child without speaking English, Powell McCormick is a Coptic Christian who has described herself as an embodiment of the American Dream.davemccormickpa
She is married to Pennsylvania Senator David McCormick, a Republican who won his Senate seat in November 2024.
The couple co-authored a book on mentorship and have been prominent figures at the intersection of business, politics, and public service.stocktwits
Industry recognition and strategic timing
Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, praised Powell McCormick's appointment, telling Axios: "I have known Dina for approximately 20 years and have encountered her worldwide. She is an outstanding banker with remarkable connections.
Clients hold her in high regard due to her expertise, experience, execution ability, and her strong work ethic". Dimon added that she "possesses more or better relationships than numerous prominent finance CEOs".
Gregg Lemkau, co-CEO of BDT & MSD Partners, stated that Powell McCormick "has been an exceptional leader at our firm, and we are extremely proud of her appointment as President of Meta, which reflects her extensive experience and judgment".
She will continue contributing to BDT & MSD Partners as a member of its advisory board.
The hiring signals what analysts describe as a transformative phase for Meta, emphasizing development of breakthrough technology rather than merely sustaining its traditional advertising business.
The appointment also comes amid Meta's broader strategic realignment, which has included leadership changes in policy and content moderation, a renewed focus on AI over metaverse investments, and efforts to strengthen relationships with government entities both domestically and internationally.cnbc
Powell McCormick's combination of finance expertise, government experience, and global relationships appears tailored to Meta's current priorities as the company pursues partnerships with sovereign entities, navigates complex energy infrastructure projects, and positions itself competitively in the race toward artificial general intelligence and superintelligence.datacentremagazine
