BOISE, Idaho, Sept 9 — Albertsons® Companies, Inc. (NYSE: ACI) today announced that Meg Whitman has been appointed to the newly created role of Executive Chair of the company’s Board of Directors. With Whitman’s appointment, Kim Fennebresque has transitioned from Chair to Lead Independent Director, and the board has expanded from 10 to 11 members. Whitman will work to support Susan Morris, CEO of Albertsons Cos., and her entire senior team.
“Meg is an ideal leader to join Albertsons’ Board of Directors,” said Fennebresque. “Her appointment underscores the board’s commitment to bring proven technology expertise and transformation leadership to all aspects of the business. Meg’s role as Executive Chair complements Susan’s leadership abilities as the company accelerates plans to compete and win.”
Whitman has been building and reimagining companies for more than 40 years. She served as President and Chief Executive Officer of eBay, Inc. from 1998 to 2008, as the company grew from $30 million to more than $8 billion in annual revenue and defined personal e-commerce. From 2011 to 2018, Whitman led Hewlett-Packard (HP) and transformed the company’s performance in computing and information technology services. During her tenure at HP, Whitman reconnected the company to its customers, unlocked significant shareholder value and ensured that the HP brand would thrive well into the future.
Whitman also has extensive director experience, having served on several corporate boards over the years, including Procter & Gamble and General Motors. She is currently on the corporate boards of CoreWeave, Inc., Motive Technologies and Fervo Energy.
In addition to leading the Albertsons Cos. board, Whitman will serve as an operations and strategic advisor to Morris and her senior team. Whitman will provide support as Morris sharpens strategy, strengthens execution and increases profitable growth throughout all parts of the business. Whitman’s experience will be particularly relevant as Morris continues to streamline the operating structure around AI technologies and a more consistent customer experience across stores and digital channels. Whitman will also work with Morris to refine the company’s long-term strategy.
“At this pivotal moment, I’m thrilled Meg is joining our board as Executive Chair,” said Morris. “Meg has a remarkable track record of helping companies strengthen execution, accelerate growth and create long-term value. As we focus on moving faster and competing more effectively, Meg’s strategic judgment, operating discipline and technology expertise will be invaluable. I look forward to partnering closely in the months and years ahead. I’m also grateful to Kim Fennebresque for his leadership as Chair and pleased we will continue to benefit from his experience as Lead Independent Director.”
“Albertsons has a rich history serving customers and communities across the country,” said Whitman. “Susan is a talented leader who has dedicated her career to the company. I am honored to work with her, the entire management team and my fellow directors as we build on the company’s strengths and deliver meaningful value for customers, associates, communities and shareholders.”
Meg Whitman Biography
Meg Whitman served as United States Ambassador to Kenya from July 2022 until November 2024. From March 2018 until February 2021, Whitman served as the Chief Executive Officer of Quibi, a Los Angeles-based entertainment startup.
From June 2017 to February 2018, Whitman was Chief Executive Officer for Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), a multinational enterprise information technology company. She was the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer from November 2015 to June 2017. From July 2014 to November 2015, Whitman served as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chair for Hewlett-Packard Company (HP), the former parent of HPE. Beginning in September 2011, as President and Chief Executive Officer of HP, Whitman engineered the groundbreaking and successful turnaround of the company. HPE and HP, Inc., the standalone companies created from that transformation, continue to thrive today.
Prior to joining HP Inc., Whitman was the Republican Party’s nominee for governor of California in 2010.
From 1998 to 2008, Whitman was President and Chief Executive Officer of eBay, Inc., the online marketplace, and at the time, a payments company through its acquisition of PayPal. Whitman led eBay through its IPO and a period of spectacular growth.
Whitman holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and an A.B. in Economics from Princeton University.