Meta has announced Derya Matras as the new Vice President for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), marking a pivotal moment in the company’s leadership trajectory. Matras, who has been with Meta since 2015, will officially assume the role in December, succeeding Angie Gifford. Gifford, who has served in the position with distinction, will step down at the end of this year, ensuring a smooth transition through close collaboration with Matras.
Matras’s appointment underscores Meta’s commitment to leveraging experienced leadership for strategic growth across its global markets. During her tenure at Meta, Matras has demonstrated an exceptional ability to drive business success and foster partnerships. Her leadership has spanned diverse regions, including Africa, the Middle East, Turkey, the UK, and Northern Europe—altogether overseeing operations across more than 80 countries. This breadth of experience has equipped her to lead one of Meta’s most significant and complex regions.
In her previous roles at Meta, Matras built a proven track record of enabling businesses to grow and adapt using the company’s suite of tools and platforms. Her leadership approach, which blends data-driven insights with a people-first philosophy, has been pivotal in achieving impactful results. Nicola Mendelsohn, Meta’s Global Head of the Global Business Group, expressed her confidence in Matras, stating, “Derya has deep industry expertise, makes data-driven decisions, and has skillfully built and led diverse markets. What really drives Derya is helping businesses grow and creating more opportunities for people everywhere. I am thrilled to see her take on this new role.”
Matras’s professional journey extends beyond Meta, bringing valuable experience from her prior leadership roles in media, retail, and management consulting, including a distinguished tenure at McKinsey & Company. Her cross-industry expertise positions her uniquely to address the challenges and opportunities that come with overseeing Meta’s EMEA operations.
Commenting on her new role, Matras said, “I’m delighted to take up the role of Vice President of GBG for EMEA. Having had the privilege of working within this diverse and dynamic region for the past nine years, I’ve witnessed first-hand the impact our tools and platforms have on businesses of all sizes. I look forward to now working with our partners across the whole region to unlock their full growth potential.”
This leadership change comes at a critical time for Meta, as the company continues to innovate and expand its influence in the global digital landscape. Matras’s appointment is expected to further align the company’s strategic goals with the diverse needs of the EMEA region, ensuring businesses of all scales can benefit from Meta’s ever-evolving suite of products and solutions.
“Since she joined Meta in 2015, Derya has become a leader known for putting people first. Derya has deep industry expertise, makes data-driven decisions, and has skillfully built and led diverse markets. What really drives Derya is helping businesses grow and creating more opportunities for people everywhere. I am thrilled to see her take on this new role.”
Nicola Mendelsohn, Meta’s Global Head of Global Business Group
As she steps into her new position, Matras will join Nicola Mendelsohn’s leadership team, further solidifying Meta’s focus on empowering businesses and communities across its platforms. Her proven leadership and vision are set to play a central role in shaping the company’s future in one of its most vital regions.
