Former eBay CEO (1998-2008), HP/HPE CEO (2011-2018), Quibi CEO (2018-2020). US Ambassador to Kenya (2022-present). Ran for California Governor (2010), spending record $144M. Known for housekeeper scandal, mass HP layoffs.
Republican Whitman spoke at the 2020 Democratic National Convention supporting Joe Biden's presidential campaign. She donated $505,600 to the Biden Victory Fund in June 2020. Biden later nominated her as US Ambassador to Kenya in December 2021, confirmed by Senate in July 2022.
In August 2016, Republican Whitman endorsed Hillary Clinton for president, calling Trump an 'astonishing display of political opportunism' and comparing him to Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini. She called on Republicans to 'put country first before party' and stated voting for Trump 'out of party loyalty alone would be to endorse a candidacy that I believe has exploited anger, grievance, xenophobia and racial division.' She also supported the campaign financially.
From 2011-2018, Whitman oversaw approximately 85,000 layoffs at HP/HPE, roughly 8% of the workforce. Initial announcement in 2012 included 27,000 job cuts. Despite massive layoffs, HP stock underperformed market by 30.7 percentage points during her tenure, earning her 'Most Underachieving CEO' designation.
In 2010, former housekeeper Nicky Diaz Santillan alleged Whitman knowingly employed her as an undocumented worker for 9 years, failed to pay full wages, denied maternity leave, and fired her in 2009 when she requested help obtaining citizenship. Santillan alleges Whitman said 'You don't know me, and I don't know you.' Evidence included a 2003 Social Security letter with note in husband's handwriting. Whitman settled wage claims for $5,500 without admitting wrongdoing.
In June 2007, Whitman allegedly shoved subordinate Young Mi Kim, an eBay communications employee, while preparing for a Reuters interview. Whitman said 'In any high-pressure working environment, tensions can surface.' Matter was resolved with $200,000 settlement.
From 1998-2002, Whitman participated in 'spinning' - receiving privileged access to over 100 hot IPOs from Goldman Sachs in exchange for eBay bond business. Practice was banned in 2003 as corrupt. Congressional investigation in 2002 called transactions 'rigged and corrupt.' Whitman settled in 2005, disgorging $1.78M profit without admitting wrongdoing. Goldman also put her on its board in 2001, paying $475K for one year before she left during probe.