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NOMINATION: PayPal's Peggy Alford is on track to become the first black woman elected to Facebook's board of directors

PEGGY ALFORD could become the first black woman appointed to Facebook’s board after she was nominated for the election.

If elected in the vote on May 30 at the social networking company’s annual meeting of stockholders, Alford would also become the second black person and the third woman on the board.

Alford, senior vice president, core markets, PayPal, said: “What excites me about the opportunity to join Facebook’s board is the company’s drive and desire to face hard issues head-on while continuing to improve on the amazing connection experiences they have built over the years.

“I look forward to working with Mark and the other directors as the company builds new and inspiring ways to help people connect and build community.”

In a statement, Facebook’s founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, said: “Peggy is one of those rare people who’s an expert across many different areas — from business management to finance operations to product development. I know she will have great ideas that help us address both the opportunities and challenges facing our company.”

Alford has previously worked as chief financial officer and head of operations for the Chan Zuckerberg initiative, the philanthropic organisation founded by Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla. She has also held a number of senior positions at PayPal between May 2011 and August 2017.

Alford’s nomination comes after a newly introduced California law that requires companies with at least six board members to have at least three female directors on the board by the end of 2021.

Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s chief operating officer and Susan D Desmond-Hellman, are the company’s two existing female board members. Erskine B. Bowles, president emeritus, University of North Carolina and Reed Hastings, chairman and CEO, Netflix, who have both served on the board since 2011, will not be nominated for re-election in May.

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