Meta Platforms Inc. Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, whose close partnership with Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg powered the growth of the world¡¯s biggest social network, is leaving the company after 14 years, Sandberg wrote in a Facebook post Wednesday.

The announcement initially sent the social media firm¡¯s shares down 4%, but the stock was nearly flat in after hours trade.

Sandberg¡¯s departure marks an end of an era for Facebook-owner Meta, which is shifting its focus toward hardware products and the ¡°metaverse¡± after years of scandals over privacy abuses and the spread of conspiratorial content on its platforms.