Sheryl Sandberg – working mom on track to be one of the wealthiest self-made women in the world

When Facebook goes public, Chief Operating Officer, Sheryl Sandberg will become “one of the wealthiest self-made women in the world.” As second in command, she is also the highest-paid Facebook employee. As a wife, mom, and COO, she knows the importance of juggling her family and her career. During a presentation last year she told the audience, “The most important career choice you’ll make is who you marry.” Sandberg is married to David Goldberg, Chief Executive Officer of Survey Monkey. With two children, their shared responsibility of child care made it possible for her continued career success.

However, the working mom does admit to feelings of guilt.  In her New Yorker profile she states: “I feel guilty working because of my kids.” But she advises women to take care of their careers and says “don’t leave before you leave.” As she said at TED, “Don’t leave the workforce to have kids and not return because you didn’t get that job you wanted before you left.”

Sandberg stands to become a billionaire when Facebook goes public, but knows she cannot succeed alone. During her commencement address to Barnard College, she said, “We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women’s voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored.”

The mission of our Women in Leadership Institute^TM is to advance the succession and development of women within a community of emerging women leaders. To learn more, click here>>