Margaret Cushing Whitman navigated a decades-long career spanning consumer goods, technology, and public service. Born in 1956 in Cold Spring Harbor, New York, she transitioned from early roles at Procter & Gamble and the Walt Disney Company to executive leadership at eBay and Hewlett-Packard. Her trajectory reflects the evolving landscape of American corporate management and political involvement.
Early Career and Education
After graduating from Cold Spring Harbor High School in 1974, Whitman attended Princeton University, where she earned an A.B. in economics in 1977. She subsequently obtained an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School in 1979. She began her professional life as a brand manager at Procter & Gamble before moving to Bain & Company in 1989. Her resume includes roles as vice president at the Walt Disney Company, general manager for Hasbro's Playskool division, and senior leadership positions at Stride Rite and Florists' Transworld Delivery.
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Take the IQ test →Tenure at eBay
Whitman joined eBay in March 1998, when the company employed 30 people and generated $4 million in annual revenue. Over the next decade, she oversaw massive growth, scaling the workforce to 15,000 employees and increasing revenues to $8 billion. Key strategic moves during her leadership included the 2002 acquisition of PayPal and the 2005 purchase of Skype for $4.1 billion. She resigned as CEO in 2007, later earning induction into the U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 2008.
Leadership at Hewlett-Packard
In 2011, Whitman became CEO of Hewlett-Packard. Her early agenda focused on stabilizing the company's PC business and investing in research and development. In 2012, she announced an $8.8 billion write-down regarding the acquisition of the British firm Autonomy, a decision that led to legal scrutiny in 2019. Following the split of the company, she led Hewlett Packard Enterprise until February 2018. Her career also included a brief period as CEO of the mobile media platform Quibi.
Political Engagement and Diplomacy
Whitman's political career included an unsuccessful 2010 run for governor of California. While she was a registered Republican for much of her life, she supported Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020. In July 2022, she was appointed as the United States ambassador to Kenya, a position she held until November 2024. In 2025, she identified as a registered Democrat.
Fast facts
- Born: 1956, Cold Spring Harbor
- Education: Princeton University, Harvard Business School
- eBay CEO: 1998-2008
- Hewlett-Packard CEO: 2011-2018
- U.S. Ambassador to Kenya: 2022-2024
- Spouse: Griffith Harsh IV
Questions readers ask
What companies did Whitman lead as CEO?
She served as CEO of eBay, Hewlett-Packard, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Quibi.
Did Whitman serve as a diplomat?
Yes, she was the United States ambassador to Kenya from July 2022 to November 2024.
Achievements
- Affiliated with Hewlett-Packard, The Walt Disney Company and Hasbro
- Educated at Cold Spring Harbor Jr./Sr. High School and Princeton University
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