UFC President and CEO Dana White joins Meta Board of Directors

Meta has announced the addition of three new members to its board of directors: Dana White, John Elkann, and Charlie Songhurst. The decision was shared by Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s founder and CEO, who expressed enthusiasm about the expertise the new members bring to the table. According to Zuckerberg, their insights will help Meta address opportunities in artificial intelligence, wearables, and the future of human connection.

Dana White, president and CEO of UFC, joins the board with a background in building global brands and transforming UFC into a sports powerhouse. Under his leadership, UFC has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, hosting over 40 annual events and reaching millions of viewers in more than 170 countries. In his statement, White expressed his belief in the future of social media and AI, calling Meta’s offer his first-ever interest in joining a corporate board. He said he looks forward to contributing to the company’s growth and innovation.

John Elkann, CEO of Exor, also joins the board, bringing decades of experience in managing investments and leading high-profile businesses. Exor is known for its ownership stakes in companies like Ferrari, Stellantis, and The Economist Group. Elkann has been instrumental in driving innovation in the industries Exor represents and has a strong history of global ventures and philanthropic activities.

Charlie Songhurst, a prominent technology investor and former Microsoft executive, rounds out the new additions. With experience in corporate strategy and a portfolio of investments in over 500 startups, Songhurst has played a key role in shaping technology partnerships and acquisitions, including the Yahoo and Skype deals during his tenure at Microsoft. He highlighted his excitement about expanding AI and enterprise solutions as part of Meta’s strategy.

Meta’s current board now includes Zuckerberg, alongside notable figures such as Marc Andreessen of Andreessen Horowitz, Drew Houston of Dropbox, and Tony Xu of DoorDash, among others. The new appointments come at a time when Meta is focusing heavily on advancing AI technologies, including its large language model, LLaMA.

White’s appointment also draws attention due to his close ties with former President Donald Trump, which he leveraged during Trump’s campaigns. White has been outspoken about his passion for sports and technology, while steering clear of further political involvement. His background as a leader in competitive sports aligns with Zuckerberg’s own interest in martial arts.

Meta has made significant policy shifts in recent years, relaxing content moderation around political topics and engaging with Republican lawmakers. Zuckerberg’s meeting with Trump and the company’s donation to his inaugural fund have been part of efforts to navigate the political landscape while pursuing its vision for innovation and growth.

The addition of White, Elkann, and Songhurst signals Meta’s commitment to combining diverse expertise as it pushes forward in areas like AI, social media, and technological advancements.